Shannen Vallesi is a Research Officer at both the School of Population and Global Health (SPGH) and, the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science in 2014 (Majoring in Public Health and Human Biology), and commenced her PhD at SPGH in 2018.

Shannen’s research is underpinned by a passion for reducing health inequalities through ‘real world’ relevant research, specifically around addressing disparities for some of the most disadvantaged people in Australia. With a focus primarily around the complex and intertwined nature of homelessness, poor physical and mental health outcomes, social exclusion and the impact of intervention on these.

Shannen's PhD investigates the way housing allocation is currently prioritised, the types of support required to sustain tenancies for highly vulnerable rough sleepers and explores current ways we measure vulnerability in these populations.

Shannen co-leads the evaluation of Perth's first Housing First project; 50 Lives 50 Homes and various other health-led responses to ending homelessness through her role in the Home2Health team.