Lewis Williams, PhD


Lewis Williams is a social scientist and health promotion practitioner. She is Director of the Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Center and a faculty member of the Extension Division where she also directs Community Development and Health Promotion programs.

Formerly from Aotearoa New Zealand, Lewis is of Ngai Te Rangi and Scottish descent. She received her PhD (community development) from the School of Social and Cultural Studies, Massey University New Zealand. Lewis has a Masters degree in Public Health (Department of Community Health) and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Education from the University of Auckland. Lewis also holds a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work from the Auckland College of Education.

Her career has included a number of professional roles that include social work, counseling, social action, population health promotion and research within a variety of organizations such as health & social service institutions, local government, community-based agencies and universities, in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Lewis has developed population health promotion and community development approaches in a number of areas such as mental health, housing, gambling, poverty, indigenous and women’s health issues with a range of cultural communities. In more recent years her work has focused on the social, economic and cultural determinants of health and theorizing community empowerment.

Population Health Promotion and Centre Aspirations:

My particular interest is in the application of population health promotion (PHP) and community action research and practice to effect increases in the self-determination of communities, particularly those at the economic and cultural margins of societies. I aim to ensure the practice of PHP in ways that enables individuals and communities to live lives they have reason to value. This includes the equitable expression of a diverse range of aspirations and cultural systems by groups; the realization of this human potential enabled and underpinned, by equitable access to health capacities and articulation of diverse cultural systems within institutional policies and practices. I aspire to the practice of PHP in ways that honour the sacredness of all beings and the inherent interconnectedness between individuals, communities and our natural environments.

Research and Practice Interests:

Project Involvement:

Selected Publications:

Journal articles, monographs

· Williams, L.(2004). Culture and community development: Towards new conceptualizations and practice. Community Development Journal, 39(4), 345-359.
· Williams, L., Cervin, C. Contemporary approaches to participatory action research in Aotearoa / New Zealand.School of Social and Cultural Studies Monograph Series, No 4, July 2004. Massey University.
· Williams, L., Labonte, R., and O’Brien, M. (2003). Empowering social action through narratives of identity and culture. Health Promotion International, 18, 33-40.
· Williams, L. and Labonte, R. (2003). Changing health determinants through community action: power, participation and policy. Promotion and Education, Vol X, No 2, 13-19.
· Williams, L. (1998). Globalisation and the public’s health: balancing the potential of participation with strategy. In PHA NEWS, Vol 10, No 5, 1-2.


Research and technical reports

. Williams, L.(2004). Charting the Future:A Concept Plan and Strategic Planning Guide for the Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Center. Prepared for the Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Center Strategic Planning Event, May 2004, Saskatoon.
· Williams, L. , McCreanor, T. and Moewaka-Barnes, H. (2003). A literature review and analysis of evidence to inform mental health promotion practice in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Prepared for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand by the Whariki Maori Research Group and the Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Massey University, New Zealand.
· Williams, L. , and Moewaka-Barnes, H. (2003). Formative evaluation of the Manukau and Waikato community action projects to address gambling harms. Whariki Maori Research Group and the Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Massey University, New Zealand
·Conway, K., Witten, K., and Williams, L. (2003). Evaluation of the Mangakino Strengthening Community Action Fund. Fourth Report. Whariki Maori Research Group and the Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Massey University, New Zealand.
· Williams, L. and O’Brien, M. (2003). The Dynamics of Debt in low-income families. Researched and prepared for the New Zealand Christian Council of Social Services and Massey University, New Zealand.
· Williams, L. (2001). Identity, culture and power: Towards frameworks for self-determination of communities at the margins. Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Social and Cultural Studies, Massey University, New Zealand.
· Williams, L. , et al. (1999). Healthy Housing: A Child Health and Safety Survey of Glen Innes Housing New Zealand Houses. Principle investigator. Undertaken with the Women’s Advocacy Group, Te Puawai Mercy Oasis, Auckland.
· Williams, L. (1999). Mercy House Women’s Advocacy Group: Report on Activities and Outcomes of the Housing Advocacy Project. September 1999. Prepared for Board members, Te Puawai Mercy Oasis, Auckland.
· Williams, L. (1997). Poverty, Policy and Participation Equity. Researched and prepared for the Health Research Council of New Zealand.
· Williams, L. (1996). Safe Waitakere: Formative and Process Evaluation. Undertaken and prepared for the Waitakere City Council, Auckland.
· Williams, L. (1996). Child immunization in the Counties Manukau Region. Prepared for the Counties/Manukau Health Council, Manukau City Council.
· Williams, L. (1996). The Status of Child Health in Counties Manukau. Prepared for the Counties/Manukau Health Council, Manukau City Council.
· Williams, L. (1996). Mental Health Status and Treatment / Provider Options in the Counties Manukau Region. Prepared for the Counties/Manukau Health Council, Manukau City Council.
· Williams, L. , and Spinola, C. (1996). Manukau the Healthy City: An Evaluation. The Alcohol and Public Health Research Unit.
· Williams, L. (1995). Manukau The Healthy City: An evaluation of past activities and future opportunities for influencing the development of healthy public policy to address child poverty. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Department of Community Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Selected papers and abstracts published in conference proceedings

. Williams, L. (2004). Culture as a strategic developement issue for migrant communities in an era of globalisation: experiences from Aotearoa / New Zealand and Canada. World Conference on Health Promotion. Valuing diversity, reshaping power: exploring pathways for health and well-being. IUHPE, Melbourne, 2004.
. Williams, L. (2004). What do mental health promotion and te tino rangatiratanga have in common ? Towards effective practice in Aotearoa / New Zealand and beyond. World Conference on Health Promotion. Valuing diversity, reshaping power: exploring pathways for health and well-being. IUHPE, Melbourne, 2004.
· Williams, L. (2002). Gender matters: culture, power and the development of communities. Contesting development: pathways to better practice. 3rd biennial conference of the International Development Studies Network of Aotearoa New Zealand. Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand.
· Williams, L., and Maka, E. (1999). Housing Advocacy in Action. Health Promotion on the Move. Conference proceedings from the New Zealand Health Promotion Forum Conference. Napier.
· Williams, L. (1999). Working towards the inclusion of low - income people in an exclusive environment: the relevance of identity. Social Work ‘99 Conference Proceedings: Promoting inclusion - redressing exclusion. Joint conference AASW, IFSW, APASWE, AASWWE. Brisbane.
· Williams, L., and Maka, E. (1999). Flax roots action in Glen Innes: translating research rhetoric into reality in a partnership with a low-income community - some working reflections. Strengthening the public in public health. Conference proceedings from the Public Health Association of New Zealand Conference, Wellington.


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