Andre M.N. Renzaho

Distinguished Professor of Humanitarian and Development Studies, Western Sydney University

Education PhD, Deakin University

https://researchers.westernsydney.edu.au/en/persons/andre-renzaho

Visiting Toronto Metropolitan University

Spring 2025

Research focus while a Bridging Divides Scholar

As a Bridging Divides Scholar, Andre will be able to explore how advanced digital technologies can enhance migrant integration and address social inequities through a multi-dimensional analysis. His research at TMU lies at the intersection of migration, technology, and social policy, focusing on how digital tools can improve settlement processes, access to services, and overall well-being. By examining socio-demographic factors, social connections, and acculturative stress, he aims to compare how these elements shape migrants' experiences in Canada and Australia. Additionally, he is interested in the health burdens faced by internally displaced people and the policy responses designed to support them.

Immigrant Health and Well-Being

Career achievements

Andre Renzaho is a Distinguished Professor of Humanitarian and Development Studies at Western Sydney University and has been a faculty member at the School of Medicine since 2018, where he is also part of the Translational Health Research Institute. From 2015 to 2018, he served as Director of Academic Programs and has played a key leadership role as the inaugural professor of Humanitarian Development Studies, a senior mentor, and an executive committee member for school research and academic initiatives.

A globally recognized expert in migration health and policy, Professor Renzaho has attracted $14.14 million in research funding and has contributed to shaping policy and practice through leadership on 10 national and international expert panels and task forces. He has convened three major international conferences, each drawing over 300 attendees. His research has produced high-quality evidence that has directly improved the quality of life of migrants in Australia.

With 518 publications and an H-index of 95, Professor Renzaho has been ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists for both career-long and single-year impact (Elsevier BV). A bibliometric analysis placed him 2nd in Australia and 10th globally in migration health research. He has presented at 40 conferences and delivered 19 keynote addresses internationally.

Committed to mentorship, he has co-supervised 19 PhD and nine master’s students to completion. His research has influenced policy and professional practice through seven demonstrable innovations. For his contributions, he has received numerous honors, including the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medical research, an ARC Future Fellowship (Level 2), a Heart Foundation Career Development Fellowship, and five awards for research excellence.

Relevant publications

Wali, N., Huda, M. N., Gill, T., Green, J., & Renzaho, A. M. N. (2024). A systematic review of recruitment and retention of ethnic minorities and migrants in obesity prevention randomised controlled trials. International journal of obesity (2005), 48(8), 1065–1079. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-024-01545-z (external link)

Osman, S., Aiello, O., Brouillette, K., Taylor, M., McKenzie, K., Renzaho, A. M. N., Henderson, J., Hamilton, H., & Salami, B. (2024). "Dual Pandemics": Intersecting Influences of Anti-Black Racism and the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Black Youth. The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieres, 8445621241253116. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621241253116 (external link)

Renzaho, A. M. N., Polonsky, M. J., Ferdous, A., Yusuf, A., Abood, J., Salami, B. O., Woodward, K., & Green, J. (2022). Establishing the psychometric properties of constructs from the conceptual 'Settlement Services Literacy' framework and their relationship with migrants' acculturative stress in Australia. PloS one, 17(4), e0266200. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266200 (external link)

GBD 2017 SDG Collaborators. (2018). Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 2091–2138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32281-5 (external link)

Global Burden of Disease 2020 Health Financing Collaborator Network. (2021). Tracking development assistance for health and for COVID-19: A review of development assistance, government, out-of-pocket, and other private spending on health for 204 countries and territories, 1990–2050. The Lancet, 398(10308), 1317–1343. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01258-7 (external link)