Professor of Mental Health & Deputy Director of the Health Research Institute at the University of Canberra. Adviser to the WHO, European Commission, and national governments.
Luis Salvador-Carulla is a psychiatrist and full professor of mental health at the University of Canberra, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the Health Research Institute. He previously led the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University (2017–2021) and the Mental Health Policy Unit at the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre (2014–2017).
His work is centred on evidence-informed approaches that view health and social care systems as complex, dynamic ecosystems. Using decision support tools, realist synthesis, and impact analysis, he connects data-driven insights with expert knowledge to shape sustainable mental health policy at regional, national, and global levels.
He has advised the governments of Catalonia and Andalucia, Spain's Ministry of Health, the European Commission, and the World Health Organisation. His research spans mental health systems, intellectual developmental disorders, ageing, disability, service classification, and cost analysis.
Integrating data science, health systems thinking, and public policy to improve mental health outcomes worldwide.
Developing decision-support tools for complex health systems analysis, priority setting, and evidence-informed policy in mental health.
Explore →Coordinating integrated atlases that map and compare mental health services across local areas, regions, and continents.
Explore →Research on care models, classification, and service provision for people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders.
Explore →Creating international classification systems for long-term care services and standardising cost analysis methods across health systems.
Explore →Designing digital tools and platforms to improve workplace wellbeing, mental health navigation, and access to services.
Explore →Exploring the links between urban design, environment, climate, and mental health through interdisciplinary population-level research.
Explore →Coordinating large-scale national and European projects that have shaped mental health services and policy.
A digital tool for improving mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, jointly funded by NHMRC Australia and Horizon 2020. Implemented across Spain, Poland, Finland, and the UK. Winner of the 2023 Malaspina Award.
More details →International project mapping mental health services across 50+ health areas worldwide. Provides evidence-based tools for service planning, benchmarking, and policy analysis.
More details →European Commission project developing an international classification system for long-term care services, enabling standardised assessment of unmet needs across European health systems.
More details →REFINEMENT developed a toolkit for assessing mental health system financing across Europe. PECUNIA produced standard cost units enabling cross-country comparison of mental health expenditure.
More details →A digital navigation tool to help patients and clinicians find and access the right mental health services in the ACT region, built on the DESDE classification framework.
More details →An international framework providing a standardised taxonomy, glossary, and toolkit for the impact analysis of implementation research. Developed over 10 years with 32 international experts.
More details →Research programme connecting global environmental factors, urban design, and Indigenous social-emotional wellbeing with population mental health outcomes.
More details →International recognition for contributions to mental health research, services, and policy.
Available for academic collaborations, policy consultancy, keynote invitations, and research partnerships in mental health systems, health policy, and digital health.
Health Research Institute · University of Canberra · Bruce ACT 2617, Australia
Current Affiliations
Professor of Mental Health, University of Canberra
Deputy Director, Health Research Institute
Advisory Roles
World Health Organisation (WHO)
European Commission
Spanish Ministry of Health
Government of Catalonia
Government of Andalucia
Previous Positions
Centre for Mental Health Research, ANU (2017–2021)
Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney (2014–2017)