Dr Aino Suomi is a public health researcher, psychologist, and director of the Centre for Gambling Research at ANU POLIS. She has conducted family focused research since 2006, including in areas of trauma, PTSD, the links between problem gambling and family violence, and the harms experienced by children as a result of gambling. Her research has made a significant contribution to policy, service provision, and public health messaging about the impacts of problem gambling, and help seeking for gambling harm.
Aino has worked closely alongside the Youth Coalition team for several projects. Over the last 12 months, this included the development of the Fair Play website, an evidence-based online hub that educates families on how children’s online games work, and how we can protect children from gambling harm in games that often appear harmless. Fair Play also helps young people to better understand online betting and how they can seek help. Through this process, she was committed to hearing the experiences of children, young people, parents, and youth workers and ensuring the resources were practical, relevant and engaging. Aino has shown a commitment to advocating for young people, especially in this highly politicised field, where she always put the best interests of young people at the centre of her work.
