Unmasking Influence: Film Premiere & Panel Discussion

Over 21 million deaths every year are caused by just 5 commercial products that are manufactured and promoted by health-harming industries. Join us for the Victorian premiere of Unmasking Influence, a film that explores how commercial interests shape policy and public health, and why this influence must be addressed.

Following the screening, join the film’s producer - Professor Mark Petticrew - and invited panellists for a discussion. There will also be an opportunity to network over refreshments.

This is a free event, but please register for catering purposes.

This event is sponsored by VicHealth.

Panellists

Prof Mark Petticrew

Mark Petticrew is Professor of Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). He is Director of the NIHR Public Health Policy Research Unit. His main research interests are in evidence-based policymaking, and health inequalities. His research has a particular focus on the commercial determinants of health – in particular, the influence of unhealthy commodity industries on health (e.g. through the promotion of tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy foods, and gambling products). Recent research includes analyses of misinformation disseminated by industry corporate social responsibility (CSR) bodies, and the common “playbook” which is used across these and other industries, including pharma, tech and digital media industries.

Dr May van Schalkwyk

Dr May van Schalkwyk is a public health doctor and researcher. Her work aims to describe and explain how commercial actors influence ideas, knowledge, science, and policymaking. She publishes research on the tobacco, alcohol, gambling, fossil fuels, opioid, pesticide, and firearm industries, including on the activities of industry-funded organisations.

Prof Anna Peeters

Professor Anna Peeters AM, PhD, is a globally recognised public health expert and advocate for health equity. Appointed CEO of VicHealth in 2025, she brings decades of experience in collaboration, epidemiology, health system transformation, and policy-driven research.  

Previously, she was Director of the Institute for Health Transformation at Deakin University and a Distinguished Professor of Public Health.  

A former VicHealth Board Member, she has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the RE-FRESH Centre for healthier food environments. Committed to evidence-based health promotion, she champions equity and collaboration to improve health outcomes for all Victorians.

Prof Sarah Durkin

Professor Sarah Durkin has over 24 years of experience in health psychology and health promotion research and is Director of the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer at Cancer Council Victoria. Her expertise lies in examining the impact of mass media messages and policies on health-related attitudes and behaviour change, with a strong focus on public health campaigns like anti-tobacco, alcohol harm reduction, and bowel cancer screening. Sarah has a more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and has been invited to present at numerous national and international conferences. She has been a pivotal figure in shaping tobacco control and other cancer prevention campaigns both in Australia and internationally. Sarah's work continues to provide valuable insights for governmental and non-governmental agencies, guiding them in crafting effective behaviour change communications.

Lucy Westerman

Lucy Westerman is a Lecturer in Public Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. She has more than 20 years' experience leading health policy, advocacy, campaigns, and teams spanning local, national, and global spheres. She specialises in chronic disease and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and health promotion, with particular focus on the commercial determinants of health. She recently led the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA), coordinating advocacy across six peak health organisations on prevention priorities including diet, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol and social determinants. Previously, she led a programme on Commercial Determinants of Health at VicHealth and spent six years leading global policy and advocacy campaigns for the NCD Alliance, working with WHO, UNICEF, and civil society partners on prevention frameworks and governance.