Personal profile
Biography
Karen trained originally in Medicine at Southampton University Medical School, UK, graduating in 1991. She chose to specialise in Rheumatology and was awarded a prestigious Arthritis Research UK (now Versus Arthritis) fellowship to do her PhD 1999-2002 about the epidemiology of neck and upper limb disorders in working aged adults and from there developed a particular interest in the relationship between work and health. Between 2013-2021, she was an MRC Investigator, Leader of an MRC Programme on Work and Health and Director of the MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work. Karen migrated to Australia in December 2022 to take up her new role as Professor of Occupational Rheumatology and Director of the Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health. Her research focuses on musculoskeletal health in the workplace and she has broader interests in promoting health at work; mental health and work; women in the workplace and older workers.
Education/Academic qualification
Medicine, FRCP, Fellowship of the Royal College of medicine (London)
Award Date: 1 Jul 2007
Epidemiology, PhD, The epidemiology of neck and upper limb disorders in working-aged adults, University of Southampton
1 Jan 1999 → 31 Dec 2002
Award Date: 1 Jul 2003
Rheumatology, CCST, Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training
Award Date: 1 Feb 2002
Medicine, MRCP, Membership of the Royal College of Physicians
Award Date: 1 Jul 1995
Medicine, Bachelor of Medicine, University of Southampton
1 Sept 1986 → 30 Jun 1991
Award Date: 30 Jun 1991
External positions
Director MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, University of Southampton
1 Jan 2015 → 31 Dec 2021
Professor & Honorary Consultant in Occupational Rheumatology, University of Southampton
1 Sept 2013 → …
Co-Director MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, University of Southampton
31 Jan 2001 → …
Research area keywords
- Workplace health and safety
- Musculoskeletal diseases
- Older workers
- Epidemiology
- Psychosocial factors
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Pride at Work: Understanding the mental health challenges facing LGBTQIA+ workers and identifying priorities for building inclusive workplaces
Tomic, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Keegel, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), O'Dwyer, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Walker-Bone, K. (Chief Investigator (CI))
14/07/25 → 13/01/27
Project: Research
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WorkSafe Victoria Panel 2025-2029 - Head Agreement
Collie, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Bragge, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), De Cieri, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wilson Rajaratnam, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Walker-Bone, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mihalopoulos, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Nielsen, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Green, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mortimer, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Oxley, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Glass, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mazza, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kirk-Brown, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Berecki-Gisolf, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Grant, G. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/07/25 → 29/02/28
Project: Research
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Zest – A personalised, digital intervention for sleep and wellbeing in Australian shift workers
Varma, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Murray, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Stone, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Booker, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sletten, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bei, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Postnova, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), King, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), McNaney, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wilson Rajaratnam, S. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Walker-Bone, K. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Phillips, A. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Howard, M. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/02/23 → 28/02/27
Project: Research
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Emerging techniques for earlier diagnosis and assessment of severity and progression of artificial stone silicosis
Walker-Bone, K. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Law, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Brims, F. J. H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Holland, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sim, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wolfe, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hoy, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Galban, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Murray, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Abramson, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Barnes, H. (Chief Investigator (CI))
NHMRC - National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia)
1/06/21 → 30/09/26
Project: Research
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Noise-induced hearing loss: a Delphi exercise
Walker-Bone, K. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
1/06/25 → 15/12/25
Project: Research
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Diabetes mellitus and work participation
Tomic, D., Walker-Bone, K., Keegel, T., Zomer, E., Zoungas, S. & Magliano, D. J., Feb 2026, In: Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 22, 2, p. 116–128 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
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Occupational disease disparities by migration status: comparison of migrant and non-migrant workers in the Australian artificial stone benchtop industry
Gwini, S. M. (Leading Author), Hoy, R. F., Hore-Lacy, F., Tomic, D., Glass, D. C. & Walker-Bone, K., Jan 2026, In: Annals of Work Exposures and Health. 70, 1, 13 p., wxaf063.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Work participation disparities among LGBTQ+ Australians: Insights from a nationally representative cohort study
Tomic, D. (Leading Author), Keegel, T., O’Dwyer, M. & Walker-Bone, K., 14 Jan 2026, In: PLoS ONE. 21, 1, 15 p., e0339160.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Are mortality rates similar between jobs in the Queensland coal mine workers’ cohort?
Glass, D. C., Gwini, S. M., Monaco, A. D., Fritschi, L., Abramson, M. J., Sim, M. R. & Walker-Bone, K., Dec 2025, In: BMC Public Health. 25, 1, 15 p., 3004.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Consideration of sex and gender: an analysis of Australian clinical guidelines
Kirkman, M., Honda, T., McDonald, S. J., Green, S., Walker-Bone, K., Winship, I. & Fisher, J. R. W., Mar 2025, In: The Medical Journal of Australia. 222, 4, p. 205-209 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Heberden Roundsman, British Society of Rheumatology
Walker-Bone, K. (Recipient), Apr 2022
Prize: National/international honour
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Honorary Fellowship, Faculty of Occupational Medicine, UK
Walker-Bone, K. (Recipient), 1 Nov 2013
Prize: National/international honour
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International Award for publishing excellence
Walker-Bone, K. (Recipient), Apr 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Invited Thackrah eponymous lecture
Walker-Bone, K. (Recipient), Jun 2019
Prize: National/international honour
Activities
- 3 Editorial responsibility
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Oxford University Press (Publisher)
Walker-Bone, K. (Associate editor)
1 May 2022Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Rheumatology Advances in Practice (Journal)
Walker-Bone, K. (Editorial board member)
2017 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Best Practice & Research: Clinical Rheumatology (Journal)
Walker-Bone, K. (Guest editor) & Coggon, D. N. (Guest editor)
Jun 2015Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility