Birri O’Dea is a Gungalu and Birri-Gubba (Wiri) woman with Master's of Public Health and Master's of Business Administration degrees.
As a Senior Indigenous Health Research Officer with Poche, she is currently working on projects concerned with reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems, while ensuring culturally appropriate supports are available to children and families who have contact with statutory systems. She has experience working in First Nations health research related to cultural safety, birthing services, organisational cultural competency, and the reduction of statutory removal of babies at birth. Prior to joining Poche, Birri worked in management positions within community-controlled health services and private sector companies.