Erica was introduced to ACELG in 2010 by fellow Tasmanian the Hon. Margaret Reynolds, ACELG Board Chair. Erica was the Associate Professor of Health Policy and Services Research at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and had previously worked at the UTAS Department of Rural Health where she held a number of positions. Her research interests in doing 'research for policy makers' were very relevant to the mission of ACELG for local government and she was invited to join the Research Advisory Committee in providing direction and advice in the development of the ACELG research program. 

Over the past four years Erica has been an active and enthusiastic contributor to this Committee and members have many fond memories of lively discussions about applied research, interesting research methodologies and ways to support scholarship in local government.

A recurring discussion to which Erica made a significant contribution was how the worth of research was measured, and alternatives to journal rankings in measuring research impact. These words from Erica accompanying an article she wrote on translational research give a flavor of her views:

Since I wrote this paper the ERA journal rankings have been abolished for exactly the reasons I use to argue they should be abolished! How good is that! While it is framed in terms of health, many of the struggles I describe (to do with how we measure the worth of research, and what is translational research and why it should be better valued) are very similar to what my research colleagues in government experience – and lots of the references are from the social sciences.

Erica made a major contribution to communicating research to a wider audience through her participation as speaker and facilitator in our national research forums held each year since 2010, including most recently in Melbourne in May this year. She presented more than once on communicating the health impacts of climate change on communities, a topic of particular relevance to local government. She also supported ACELG's interest in providing resources for practitioner research. 

Her presentation at a workshop held at UTS in November 2013 for local government practitioners interested in writing and publishing was memorable for its conciseness, relevance and elegance. A list of Erica's publications will be made available from the ACELG website in the near future.

Erica was a mentor and friend to many of us in the ACELG network and will be remembered fondly for her personal attributes as well as her professional contribution. Upon learning of the passing of Erica this week fellow RAC member Shane Sody wrote that 'Erica was vibrantly alive – so sharp, so friendly, so witty, intelligent and inspiring.'

ACELG Director Roberta Ryan said 'Erica's contribution to ACELG and the broader research community will be greatly missed. We are fortunate to have as a legacy her research that will continue to support local government scholars.' 

Vale Erica Bell.

Stefanie Pillora, Program Manager, Research

Erica at the 2012 ACELG Stakeholder Consultation in Hobart		Erica at the 2011 ACELG National Local Government Research Forum