Professor Coffin is a proud Aboriginal woman, with traditional ties to her grandparents Nyangumarta country in the Pilbara region. She is recognised as a prominent Aboriginal researcher, with expertise in cultural security, education and research across a diverse range of settings including chronic diseases, community development, health promotion and Equine Psychotherapy.
Professor Coffin has been awarded numerous competitive grants spanning her career with the most recently awarded in 2020 included from Heathway and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) bring a combined fund-base of over $6 million. Currently at Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, where she holds the position of Ellison Professor and Head, Social & Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People, Professor Coffin is strengthening evidence of culturally secure social and emotional well-being offerings in the Kimberley. The Yawardani Jan-ga Equine Assisted Learning research program, designed by Professor Coffin, is the first of its kind in the Kimberley, in Australia and the world. Recently, Professor Coffin has been recognised as a recipient of the prestigious Ministers Award and Yawardani Jan-ga program receiving the Youth Focus for Change Award in 2021 WA Mental Health Awards, and a finalist in the 2021 Western Australian of the Year Awards.