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Update from the Clinical Teaching Program Director
The HERGA (Higher Education Research Group Adelaide) Conference 2025 will be held on Wednesday 1 October at Bedford Park, with a record 130 abstracts submitted (55 from Flinders, including 10 from MPH). This year’s event promises to be our most dynamic opportunity for advancing Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The program will cover themes such as Generative AI in T&L, Student Success & Support, Interdisciplinary Education, Innovations in Work Integrated Learning, Innovative Approaches in T&L, and Authenticity and Inclusive Education.
Recent highlights from across teaching programs include:
- Education Roundtable: Alistair Standish hosted international partner discussions for student international opportunities.
- Lab Medicine Accreditation: Our laboratory medicine course, BMedSci (Lab Med) has successfully achieved accreditation for another 2 years. This is a significant milestone, and I extend sincere thanks to all college staff and industry partners who contributed to this achievement.
- Educational Partnership with St Peter’s Girls: Our Health & Medicine microcredential program with St Peter’s Girls is now live. Designed and delivered together with CNHS, this cross-college partnership represents a strategic initiative through the PVC (Curriculum Impact). It provides high school students exposure to MPH courses - Paramedicine, BMS - Medical Research, BMS - Lab Medicine and MD. Thanks to Andrew Makkink, Yuh Ping Chong, Lauren Thurgood, Kate-Starr Marshall and Helen Harrison for their creativity and expertise in delivering this project.
Workshops in the Maldives: Gillian and Svetlana are travelling to the Maldives today for 7 days to provide workshops to Maldives National University participants of the DFAT-funded AAF program, Development of Health Profession Education (HPE) capacity in the Maldives.
ANZAHPE Conference Presentations: A total of 10 Clinical Education students (both current and alumni) presented at the recent ANZAHPE Conference in Perth.
- New Course Pages Live: Our refreshed course pages are now online, including the updated Bachelor of Paramedicine page. Thank you to all staff who contributed to ensuring our courses are presented in a clear, engaging, and student-friendly way.
Teaching Program Director (Clinical), College of Medicine and Public Health
Welcome
Sally Marotti, Research Fellow (Digital Health Research Lab)
Meet Sally, an accomplished clinical pharmacist and healthcare researcher dedicated to improving health systems, patient care, and digital innovation in healthcare. In this blog, she shares her career journey, from leading MRFF-funded projects AutoMedic and CAReMed to her early work in pharmacist prescribing, and reflects on the passion that continues to drive her research today.
Out and About
Culture, connection and healing at Garma festival 2025
The Flinders Rural and Remote Health NT team joined Yolŋu Country in East Arnhem Land this August for Garma Festival – celebrating culture, community, arts and resilience. A highlight was our Yolŋu bush medicine workshop, showcasing traditional healing and two-way learning. This approach underpins our long-standing student placements in the region. Read the full recap on the MPH blog.
During National Science Week, Cedric Bardy and his team are pushing the boundaries of Parkinson’s research by growing living brain cells, or “brain avatars”, to uncover why dopamine neurons die faster in people with the disease. In this Shake It Up-funded project, Cedric shares how his work could help these vulnerable neurons rest, recover, and resist degeneration. Watch video
Flinders NT was pleased to engage with high school students, educators, and parents at the Darwin Careers Expo 2025 on Tuesday, 12 August. We extend our sincere thanks to the five Darwin medical students who contributed their enthusiasm and expertise throughout the day. They shared insights into their study journeys, facilitated anatomy knowledge activities, and guided attendees through practical CPR sessions.
Get to know your College
From a cattle station childhood to the hospital wards of Darwin: Isaak’s story
Isaak's journey to medicine has been one of persistence, purpose and a deep connection to the Northern Territory. Growing up on a remote cattle station before working in nursing and emergency care, Isaak brings valuable life experience to his medical studies at Flinders in the NT. Now training with close mentorship and early patient contact, he’s setting his sights on a career in Rural Generalism, combining community care with emergency medicine. Read full story on the MPH blog
In touch with… Richard Fejo
Elder on Campus Richard Fejo believes education is knowledge and knowledge is power but wisdom is what we do with our power. The Flinders in Touch (FiT) team recently spoke with him about developing culturally safe teaching and learning spaces, plus his favourite place in the Northern Territory to recharge. Read more
Expressions of Interest
Expression of Interest: CMPH College Orientation Lead (Bedford Park only)
Expressions of interest are open for the CMPH College Orientation Lead (0.1 FTE) – a specialist role supporting student orientation and transition at Bedford Park. Working under the Dean of Education and within the CMPH educational leadership team, the role leads planning and delivery of student-focused orientation activities across
Semester 1 and 2, including Connect Week. This includes project management, marketing, event coordination and stakeholder engagement, in collaboration with central orientation teams and course coordinators. Please send a short paragraph outlining your interest in the role to cmph.deaned@flinders.edu.au. Submit before COB Friday, 22 August.
Help select our future Doctors: Join the 2025 MD Interview Panels
We are seeking staff to join the Doctor of Medicine (MD) applicant interview panels for 2026 entry, running from 22 September to 3 October 2025 at Bedford Park. Each panel assesses applicants’ non-academic qualities, such as communication skills and motivation for a career in medicine, and includes an academic, a clinician, and a community member. If you are available to participate, there will also be an Interview Training session (approx. 1 hour) to attend in early September. Please complete the online availability form
MPH Academic Integrity Officer (Apply before September 5)
Expressions of Interest are invited for the role of Academic Integrity Officer. This position works closely with the Dean of Education, fellow Academic Integrity Officers, and teaching staff to ensure a coordinated, consistent approach to academic integrity across the University. The role includes providing guidance to staff on academic integrity matters, representing the College in University working groups and committees, and helping embed academic integrity initiatives into College operations. Email cmph.deaned@flinders.edu.au.com with your EOI before COB Friday 5 September.
Events
- Thu 21 Aug: Medical Grand Round (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
- Thu 28 Aug: FHMRI's Road to Research (Register for a stall here)
- Mon 1 Sep: FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar (12:30pm, HMRB or online)
- Tue 9 Sep: MPH College Forum hosted by Lorraine Karunaratne: Overview of College Professional Services (2:30pm - 3:40pm)
- Wed 1 Oct: 2025 HERGA Conference, Bedford Park campus (register now)
Higher Degree by Research Milestone presentations (from 12:30pm Fridays)
LT 1.09, Health Sciences Building (please note the change of location next week), or online via Teams. Join the next presentations on Friday 22 August:
- Ajay Radhakrishnan - ‘Enhance the mental well-being of health professionals with fixed schedules by developing an intelligent and automated system that promotes a supportive work environment’
- Robert Bear (online presentation) - ‘Paramedic Mental Health Education’
HDR and Postdoc Career Development Workshop (Wednesday 20 August)
10.30am, UniSA Bradley Building HB10-17
Join Adrian Liston from the University of Cambridge for a tailored career development workshop designed for postdoctoral researchers and HDR students. This small-group session (limited to 30 participants) will provide practical strategies for identifying career pathways, creating opportunities, and planning your progression within or beyond academia. Registration is essential – email kadie.tilley@unisa.edu.au.
Cancer Impact Seminar: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors – The Tipping Point Between Response and Resistance
12–1pm (lunch + network 1 - 2pm) Thursday 21 August, Level 2 seminar space, HMRB. Speaker: Helen Rizos (Macquarie University). A leader in cancer cell and molecular biology, Helen explores treatment response and resistance in melanoma, head and neck cancer, and glioblastoma.
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Consultation: Help Shape Our Stretch RAP
With our Innovate RAP now complete, Flinders is moving into the consultation phase for our Stretch RAP, to be launched in May 2026. This next stage, focused on ‘Embedding and Extending’, will guide our reconciliation efforts over the next three years. Staff are invited to contribute by attending the upcoming consultation sessions on Tuesday 26 August (In Person), 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Contact reconciliation@flinders.edu.au if you haven’t received an invitation. Your voice matters — help shape a more inclusive future.
"STEM at the Tav" hosted by Flinders Academic Science Club
Join one of three engaging STEM sessions at the Tav this semester. Staff are invited to the first session on Tuesday 26 August, from 4–6 pm at Flinders Tavern. Session topics include:
- Conserving reptiles in fire-prone landscapes
Decoding the gut–brain axis from Earth to space
Uncovering the neural mechanisms behind motor neurone disease
Food provided. Learn more on Facebook
FHMRI Road to Research: Help your students discover their research future
11:30am - 1pm, Thu 28 August, Lvl 2 Seminar room, HMRB
Please share this opportunity with students who may be interested in health and medical research pathways at Flinders. Attendees can learn about pathways into research, entry requirements, scholarships, and hear first-hand experiences from current FHMRI students, all in a relaxed setting with a free pizza lunch.
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: (Updated September schedule)
From 12:30 (lunch provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building.
- Wed 24 Sep: Joseph Trapani – “Small molecule inhibitors of lymphocyte perforin as focused immunosuppressants for auto-immune and post-infectious immunopathologies” (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
- Wed 29 Oct: Laura Downie – Optometry & vision science (University of Melbourne)
- Wed 19 Nov: Fiona Blyth - Public health & pain epidemiology (University of Sydney)
- Mon 8 Dec: Thomas Cox – Matrix and metastasis (Garvin Institute of Medical Research)
Email cmph.research@flinders.edu.au if you would like to meet with any of the presenters.
Need to know
AABB Foundation: Early-Career Scientific Research Grants Program
The AABB Foundation awards grants for investigator-initiated original research in all aspects of blood banking, transfusion medicine and biotherapies. Research Content Areas: Immunology, Hematology, Immunohematology, Infectious Diseases, Biotherapies, Patient Blood Management. Grant applications are evaluated on the basis of their scientific merit, relevance to and impact on transfusion medicine, focus and appropriateness to the scope of funding, and likelihood of yielding meaningful data. Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2025. Learn more
Flinders University Visiting International Research Fellowships - Open for Application
The Visiting International Research Fellowship provides funding to colleges to attract visiting international researchers (typically $5,000 to $15,000 (3-12 weeks)). Applications should be forwarded to cmph.research@flinders.edu.au by COB Friday 17 October. Download application and guidelines (as in previous years, Fellowships will be offered on a co-investment basis with the host College).
Fellowship Writing & Review Support – EOI now open for ARC Future Fellowships 2026
ARC Future Fellowships 2026 round will open on Wednesday, 24 September. Check ResearchLink for full details. We are pleased to open the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for Fellowship Writing & Review support (closing at COB Wednesday 20 August). This limited offering provides access to external consultants to help strengthen your fellowship application. This program is co-funded by the DVCR and CMPH, and supports NHMRC and ARC fellowship applications. Learn more at RDS-FHMRI Funding Opportunities SharePoint. If you have any questions about the eligibility, Pre-Fellowship form, EOI form or anything else, contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards are now open: The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Research celebrate excellence in research, impact and engagement across six categories. Applications close 5pm, Friday 30 August. Details and guidelines will be available on the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards page. |
2025 Reconciliation Awards:The Reconciliation Awards recognise individuals or teams contributing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, retention and success in higher education. Nominate by Monday 29 August: Nomination form. Rules and eligibility. |