Maddie Williams

Dr Maddie Williams is a full-time Lecturer in Research at the University of Queensland's Rural Clinical School. She joined the University of Queensland in January 2025 and is based at the Bundaberg Clinical Unit. Maddie was born and raised in regional Queensland and holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of the Sunshine Coast, a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, and a Master of Science by Research in Clinical and Molecular Microbiology from Griffith University. Upon completing her master's research, Maddie returned to her hometown, where she worked in the health sector before completing her PhD at the University of Queensland's Rural Clinical School through a Research Training Program Scholarship. Her PhD research focused on improving access to primary care in regional, rural, and remote Australian communities. Maddie is also a strong advocate for quality health care. She is Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) Research Consumer Advisory Group and serves as a consumer representative on the WBHHS Research Council. She works to ensure consumers have a voice in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health policy, programs, and services, helping to achieve better health outcomes. Rural and Remote Health: Research focused on improving equitable access to health care for people living in regional, rural, and remote Australian communities. This work examines barriers to health service access, health system challenges, and strategies to improve health outcomes for underserved populations through evidence-based policy and service design. Rural Health Workforce: Examines factors influencing the recruitment, retention, and sustainability of the rural health workforce. Research focuses on innovative models of care, workforce planning, and strategies that support access to high-quality health services in regional, rural, and remote areas. Health Policy and Systems Improvement: Research aimed at informing health policy and improving health system effectiveness. Interests include evidence-informed decision-making, health service evaluation, and policy approaches that support equitable access to care and better health outcomes for regional and rural populations. Consumer and Community Involvement in Health Research: Explores meaningful consumer and community engagement in health research, policy, and service development. This work aims to strengthen partnerships between researchers, health services, and communities to ensure research and healthcare initiatives are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.

[2026] Exploring dimensions of access to primary care in regional, rural, and remote communities in Queensland, Australia: a comparative study of importance and lived experience. Williams, Maddie (2026). PhD Thesis, Medical School (Rural Clinical School), The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/fbdf18d [2026] Understanding how rurality relates to residents' experiences of accessing primary care: An interview‐based study. Williams, Maddie, Gurney, Tiana and McGrail, Matthew (2026). Australian Journal of Rural Health, 34 (1) e70153, 1-9. doi: 10.1111/ajr.70153 [2025] Assessing comparative dimensions of access when accessing primary care across different levels of rurality. Higgins, Maddie, Gurney, Tiana and McGrail, Matthew (2025). Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (4) e70080, 1-7.