Thomas Rolls

Website: https://thomasrolls.studio

Email: t.rolls@unsw.edu.au

Supervisors: Martin Holt, Ash Watson, Lizzie Muller

Thomas Rolls (he/him) is a PhD candidate and artist working at the intersection of health communication and visual culture. His background spans clinical science, public-health research and creative practice. After completing a B.Clin.Sci. at Macquarie (2017, Research Excellence Award) and part of an MD at Notre Dame (Grad.Dip.Appl.Med.Sci., 2021), he shifted into fine art at the National Art School. Thomas is interested in the practical work of visual storytelling and knowledge translation through active studio work across mediums, with a focus on sculpture, ceramics and textiles. Since 2017 he has contributed to mixed-methods research at UNSW, ACU, UNDA and Macquarie, examining clinician-patient interaction, Indigenous health equity and interdisciplinary collaboration. His doctoral research investigates how art galleries communicate public health narratives, with particular focus on HIV/AIDS visual culture. The work explores how cultural institutions can foster health literacy, challenge stigma and ethically represent illness experiences.