Dr Thomas Norman is a Research Fellow and Graduate Research Coordinator at La Trobe University's Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), specialising in public health and psychology. His research centres on the identification and reduction of health and wellbeing inequalities among key populations and marginalised groups, with a particular focus on sexual health, substance use and mental health. 

Thomas leads the HIV Futures project, Australia’s longest-running study of the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV. He oversees the HIV Futures reporting program, producing national evidence that directly informs the Australian Government’s National HIV Strategy. Beyond his national impact, his work has also received international recognition; most recently featuring in a World Health Organization policy report on reducing harms from alcohol. He has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and received over $2.2M AUD in research funding.

Thomas' doctoral work centred on a multi-modal approach to intoxication assessments, using novel biosensors (e.g., transdermal monitors) and ambulatory techniques to better understand substance use and related harms in real-world settings. He has worked in partnership with a constellation of community services, including HIV, sexual health and LGBTIQA+ heath organisations, needle and syringe programs, and cultural events. He is a Deputy Editor of Drug and Alcohol Review (Wiley), a Statistical Advisor for Sex Education (Taylor & Francis), and has served on the Australasian Professional Society of Alcohol and other Drugs' (APSAD) Scientific Advisory Committee.

While predominantly a quantitative researcher, he has experience with qualitative methods and wide experience teaching at an undergraduate level in public health and psychology; most recently contributing to the Drugs, Health, and Society (PHE3DUB) unit (2021 - present).

Thomas is available for PhD and Masters student supervision.



Grants / contracts:

►Norman, T. (2025). 'Filling the gaps to reach the targets': additional analysis of HIV Futures 10 data | National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) | AUD $10,000

►McGregor, S., Vajic, C. M., Guy, R., Medland, N., Murphy, D., Brown, G., McManus, H., Costello, J., Rule, J., Lemoh, C., Bavinton, B., Norman, T., & Lobo, R. (2024-2027). Equitably maximising survivorship care and quality of life for people living with HIV in Australia | 2024 MRFF Survivorship Care and Collaborative Research Prioritisation | AUD $1,940,299

►Norman, T. (2024-25). ARCSHS Fellowship Support Scheme. | Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society. | AUD $30,498

►Norman, T. (2024). Sexualised drug use among heterosexual adults: a systematic review. | 2024 SPPH Staff Grants | AUD $5,184

►Egan L, Bailey S, Bryant Z, de Groot F, Champion K, Chapman C, Norman T. (2024). Vibe Check: Addressing Polysubstance Use harms among adolescents using an intersectional, youth-led, harm reduction, Lived Experience Partnership Grant, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. | AUD $10,000

►Murphy, D., Ellard, J., Norman, T., & Bourne, A. (2023-24). Literature review on Mpox | National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) | Category 2 | AUD $51,000

►Bourne, A., Amos, N., Anderson, J., & Norman, T. (2022-23). Secondary analysis of Private Lives 3 and Writing Themselves In 4: Suicide, mental health, alcohol and other drug use and homelessness | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare | Category 2 | AUD $147,380

►Room, R., & Norman, T. (2020). Comparative Study on Self-Exclusion (CaSE) from Gambling | Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare | Category 2 | AUD $10,014