Dr Natalie Thomas
Research Fellow
Institute for Social Science Research
+61 7 334 62008

Researcher biography
Dr Natalie Thomas is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Science Research. Natalie's background is in criminology, and her work focuses broadly on the intersections of health and justice and the application of social science research methods to program evaluation. She completed her PhD through the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University. Her research interests include alcohol and other drug regulation and policy, criminal justice policy and programs, qualitative and mixed methods research, program evaluation and evidence reviews.
Publications
Book Chapters
Thomas, Natalie and Juckel, Jennifer (2022). Gender and drug policy. Handbook of substance misuse and addictions. (pp. 1-15) edited by Vinood B. Patel and Victor R. Preedy. Cham, Switzerland: Springer . doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_16-1
van de Ven, Katinka and Thomas, Natalie (2022). Drugs and public health. The Encyclopedia of Rural Crime. (pp. 81-83) edited by Joseph Donnermeyer, Cassie Pedersen, Matt Bowden, Jessica Rene Peterson and Alistair Harkness. Bristol, United Kingdom: Bristol University Press.
Thomas, Natalie (2021). Historical methods in the critical study of drug policy. History and crime: a transdisciplinary approach. (pp. 171-188) edited by Thomas J. Kehoe and Jeffrey E. Pfeifer. Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing. doi: 10.1108/978-1-80117-698-920211013
Journal Articles
Grigg, Jodie, Peacock, Amy, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Agramunt, Seraina, Thomas, Natalie, Lyons, Tom and Sutherland, Rachel (2023). Real or fake? Sourcing and marketing of non‐prescribed benzodiazepines amongst two samples of people who regularly use illicit drugs in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42 (6), 1559-1565. doi: 10.1111/dar.13722
Thomas, Natalie (2022). Review of Drug policy. Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy, 29 (5), 641-642. doi: 10.1080/09687637.2022.2098625
Price, Olivia, Man, Nicola, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Salom, Caroline, Lenton, Simon, Grigg, Jodie, Gibbs, Daisy, Wilson, Tanya, Degenhardt, Louisa, Chan, Roanna, Thomas, Natalie and Peacock, Amy (2021). Changes in illicit drug use and markets with the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated restrictions: findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System, 2016‐2020. Addiction, 117 (1) add.15620, 182-194. doi: 10.1111/add.15620
Thomas, Natalie and Menih, Helena (2021). Negotiating multiple stigmas: substance use in the lives of women experiencing homelessness. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20 (5), 2973-2992. doi: 10.1007/s11469-021-00560-9
Allen, Matthew and Thomas, Natalie (2021). Problem substances: Temperance and the control of addictive drugs in nineteenth-century australia. Social History of Alcohol and Drugs, 35 (1), 3-32. doi: 10.1086/712581
Thomas, Natalie, van de Ven, Katinka and Mulrooney, Kyle J. D. (2020). The impact of rurality on opioid-related harms: A systematic review of qualitative research. International Journal of Drug Policy, 85 102607, 102607. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.11.015
Thomas, Natalie, Bull, Melissa, Dioso-Villa, Rachel and Smith, Kate (2019). The movement and translation of drug policy ideas: the case of ‘new recovery’. International Journal of Drug Policy, 73, 72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.013
Thomas, Natalie and Bull, Melissa (2018). Representations of women and drug use in policy: a critical policy analysis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 56, 30-39. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.02.015
Thomas, Natalie, Bull, Melissa, Dioso-Villa, Rachel and Smith, Catrin (2016). Governing drug use through partnerships: towards a genealogy of government/non-government relations in drug policy. International Journal of Drug Policy, 28, 34-42. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.11.002
Thomas, Natalie K. and Bull, Melissa (2013). Negotiating the Challenges of Coerced Treatment: An Exploratory Study of Community-Based Service Providers in Queensland, Australia. Contemporary Drug Problems, 40 (4), 569-594. doi: 10.1177/009145091304000406
Conference Papers
Thomas, Natalie, Northcote, Mitchell, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Maravilla, Joemer, Wilson, Yalei, Bruno, Raimondo and Salom, Caroline (2022). Microdosing among people who regularly use ecstasy and other illicit stimulants in Australia, 2021-2022. APSAD 2022 Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 9–12 October 2022. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Thomas, Natalie (2019). An ‘ice age’ in the outback? Media representations of rural methamphetamine use in Australia. American Society of Criminology Conference, San Francisco, CA, United States, November.
Thomas, Natalie (2018). Challenges to the participation of non-government organisations in drug policy processes. . Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 4-7 December 2018.
Thomas, Natalie, Bull, Melissa, Dioso-Villa, Rachel and Smith, Catrin (2016). Understanding policy transfer in drug policy: the case of New Recovery. International Society for the Study of Drug Policy, Vancouver, Canada, November 2016.
Newspaper Article
van de Ven, Katinka, Mulrooney, Kyle J.D. and Thomas, Natalie (2019, 12 19). As drug deaths rise in rural Australia, we must do more to prevent overdoses The Conversation
Research Reports
Salom, Caroline, Thomas, Natalie, Wallis, Rebecca, Campbell, Alice, Barber, Tayla and Rivera, Lawrence (2023). Interim report: Evaluation of the Video-Recorded Evidence-in-Chief Pilot. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Salom, Caroline, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Wilson, Yalei and Bruno, Raimondo (2023). Microdosing among people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other illicit stimulants in Australia, 2022. Drug Trends Bulletin Series Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. doi: 10.26190/w4vd-ag90
Thomas, Natalie, Lelliott, Joseph, Barber, Tayla and Spierings, Shea (2023). Literature review: rationalising the criminal law in Queensland (report prepared for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General). Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline (2023). Drug-related police encounters among a sample of people who regularly inject drugs in Australia, 2022. Sydney, NSW, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Juckel, Jennifer, Thomas, Natalie, Daly, Catherine, Maravilla, Joemer and Salom, Caroline (2022). Queensland Drug Trends 2022: key findings from the Queensland Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Juckel, Jennifer, Thomas, Natalie, Daly, Catherine, Maravilla, Joemer and Salom, Caroline (2022). Queensland Drug Trends 2022: key findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) interviews. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Sutherland, Rachel, Uporova, Julia, King, Cate, Jones, Fiona, Karlsson, Antonia, Gibbs, Daisy, Price, Olivia, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Daly, Catherine, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Agramunt, Seraina, Wilson, Yalei, Noy, Warren Que, WIlson, Joanna, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy (2022). Australian drug trends 2022: key findings from the national illicit drug reporting system (IDRS) interviews. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, NSW, Australia: UNSW Sydney.
Sutherland, Rachel, Karlsson, Antonia, King, Cate, Jones, Fiona, Uporova, Julia, Price, Olivia, Gibbs, Daisy, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Grigg, Jodie, Wilson, Yalei, Wilson, Joanna, Daly, Catherine, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy (2022). Australian drug trends 2022: key findings from the national ecstasy and related drugs reporting system (EDRS) interviews. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, NSW, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Sutherland, R., Uporova, J., King, C., Jones, F., Karlsson, A., Gibbs, D., Price, O., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Juckel, J., Agramunt, S., Wilson, Y., Que Noy, W., Wilson, J., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2022). Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews 2022: Background and Methods. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, Australia: National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre.
Sutherland, R., Karlsson, A., Jones, C., Uporova, J., Price, O., Gibbs, D., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., Grigg, J., Wilson, Y., Wilson, J., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Juckel, J., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2022). Ecstasy and related drugs reporting system (EDRS) interviews 2022: background and methods. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, Australia: UNSW Sydney.
Thomas, Natalie, Maravilla, Joemer, Northcote, Mitchell, Juckel, Jennifer, Halstead, Callum, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline (2022). Criminal justice contact and health amongst people who inject drugs in Greater Brisbane, Queensland: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System. Drug Trends Bulletin Series.. Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW.
Boyle, Fran, Dean, Julie, Tran, Nam, Lohan, Aditi, Thomas, Natalie, Biswas, Tuhin and Salom, Caroline (2022). Scoping and gap analysis of undergraduate resources in intellectual disability health. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
Salom, Caroline L., Maravilla, Joemer C., Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Peacock, Amy and Gisev, Natasa (2022). Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidised take home naloxone pilot - Final Report. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Department of Health. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18935.91046
Juckel, Jennifer, Thomas, Natalie, Maravilla, Joemer, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline (2022). Queensland Drug Trends 2021: key findings from the illicit drug reporting system (IDRS) interviews. Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW.
Juckel, Jennifer, Thomas, Natalie, Daly, Catherine, Maravilla, Joemer and Salom, Caroline (2022). Queensland Drug Trends 2021: Key findings from the ecstasy and related drugs reporting system (EDRS) interviews. Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Thomas, Natalie, Northcote, Mitchell, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Maravilla, Joemer, Wilson, Yalei, Bruno, Raimondo and Salom, Caroline (2022). Microdosing amongst people who regularly use ecstasy and other illicit stimulants in Queensland and Tasmania, Australia, 2021. Sydney, NSW, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney. doi: 10.26190/374n-wn67
Johnstone, Melissa, Thomas, Natalie, Salom, Caroline, Boyle, Fran and Smith, Simon (2022). Literature review on quality standards and accreditation schemes for national human research ethics committees (Report prepared for the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care). Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Maravilla, Joemer and Salom, Caroline (2021). Trends in self-reported past year non-fatal overdose and responses to overdose: findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System. Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline (2021). Trends in nitrous oxide use amongst people who regularly use ecstasy and other illicit stimulants in the Greater Brisbane region, Queensland, 2003-2020. Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Thomas, N., Dean, J., Lohan, A., Maravilla, J. C., Salom, C. L. and Boyle, F. M. (2021). DFV Specialist Health Workforce Program Evaluation — Literature Review. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Boyle, F. M., Maravilla, J. C., Dean, J., Lohan, A., Thomas, N. and Salom, C. (2021). DFV Specialist Health Workforce Program Evaluation Plan. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline (2021). Queensland Drug Trends 2020: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline (2021). Queensland Drug Trends 2020: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. Sydney, NSW, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Sutherland, Rachel, Karlsson, Antonia, Price, Olivia, Uporova, Julia, Chandrasena, Udesha, Swanton, Rosie, Gibbs, Daisy, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Grigg, Jodie, Wilson, Yalei, Eddy, Sarah, Hall, Cristal, Daly, Catherine, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy (2021). Australian Drug Trends 2021: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Sutherland, Rachel, Uporova, Julia, Chandrasena, Udesha, Price, Olivia, Karlsson, Antonia, Gibbs, Daisy, Swanton, Rosie, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Daly, Catherine, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Agramunt, Seraina, Wilson, Yalei, Woods, Emma, Moon, Christopher, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy (2021). Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews 2021: Background and Methods. Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Sutherland, Rachel, Karlsson, Antonia, Price, Olivia, Uporova, Julia, Chandrasena, Udesha, Swanton, Rosie, Gibbs, Daisy, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Grigg, Jodie, Wilson, Yalei, Eddy, Sarah, Hall, Cristal, Daly, Catherine, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy (2021). Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews 2021: Background and Methods. Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW .
Sutherland, Rachel, Uporova, Julia, Chandrasena, Udesha, Price, Olivia, Karlsson, Antonia, Gibbs, Daisy, Swanton, Rosie, Bruno, Raimondo, Dietze, Paul, Lenton, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Daly, Catherine, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Agramunt, Seraina, Wilson, Yalei, Woods, Emma, Moon, Christopher, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Peacock, Amy (2021). Australian Drug Trends 2021: Key Findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW .
Salom, Caroline, Maravilla, Joemer, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Gisev, Natasa, Peacock, Amy and McDaid, Lisa (2020). Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Subsidised Take Home Naloxone Pilot: Interim Report 2. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Daly, Catherine, Juckel, Jennifer, Thomas, Natalie and Salom, Caroline (2020). Impacts of COVID-19 and associated restrictions on people who use illicit stimulants in Queensland: findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System 2020.. Australian Drug Trends Series Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
Salom, Caroline, Maravilla, Joemer, Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Daly, Catherine, Morris, Leith, Gisev, Natasa, Peacock, Amy and McDaid, Lisa (2020). Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Subsidised Take Home Naloxone Pilot Interim Report 1. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Daly, Catherine, Juckel, Jenny, Thomas, Natalie and Salom, Caroline (2020). Impact of COVID-19 and associated restrictions on people who inject drugs in Queensland: findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System 2020. Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre.
Thomas, Natalie, Juckel, Jennifer, Barber, Tayla, Daly, Catherine and Salom, Caroline L. (2020). Regional trends in drug use in Queensland: report on a pilot study. Drug Trends Bulletin Series Sydney, NSW Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Cleary, Anne, Thomas, Natalie and Boyle, Fran (2020). National Mental Health Workforce Strategy - A literature review of existing national and jurisdictional workforce strategies relevant to the mental health workforce and recent findings of mental health reviews and inquiries. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland.