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Update from the Teaching Program Director (Public Health)
Semester 2 preparations in Public Health are progressing well, with ongoing curriculum enhancements to enrich student learning and outcomes. At the April 2025 graduation ceremony, 25 Public Health students graduated, including five from the inaugural cohort of the Bachelor of Public Health program, launched in 2022.
Congratulations to Courtney Ryder and the Trauma and Injury team for securing $5 million in funding through the NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies round for The HEAL Cohort Study (Transforming HEalth and Wellbeing Outcomes from Injury for Aboriginal and Torres Strait IsLander Children).
Finally, yesterday (15 May), the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) hosted a highly successful symposium. The symposium brought together international, national, and local experts to explore strategies for reducing harm related to alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Thank you to all staff and students for your ongoing commitment and dedication to excellence.
Teaching Program Director (Public Health), Associate Professor in Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Public Health
Welcome
Welcome to Flinders – Upcoming event for new starters
New to Flinders? Join the next Welcome to Flinders event on Tuesday 20 May. Hear from senior leaders, ask questions, and connect with other new starters over morning tea. This in-person event at Bedford Park is open to all new Academic and Professional staff, with a virtual option for rural and remote employees.
To register, visit iEnrol > Courses > search ‘Welcome to Flinders’ or filter by topic > New Staff. For virtual attendance, include a note when enrolling or email professional.development@flinders.edu.au.
Out and About
FHMRI researchers hosted a visit from The Hospital Research Foundation CEO Paul Flynn, Research Manager Jim Deed, COO Briony Marshall and Amy Durant. The visit included a tour of our HMRB facilities and a very positive meeting with our researchers Luke Selth, Erin Symonds, Cedric Bardy, Mary-Louise Rogers, Emmanuelle Souzeau, Nicole Lovato and Giles Best to explore shared values, synergies and opportunities for partnership.
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Community spirit on show at Victor Harbor’s Biggest Morning Tea 
Staff and students at the Victor Harbor campus gathered recently for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, sharing homemade treats, good conversation and plenty of cups of tea. The cheerful event brought the campus together in support of cancer research and highlighted the strong community spirit among Flinders rural staff and students. |
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Creating Healing Hubs – NT Clinical Academy Workshops 
In April, the NT Clinical Academy hosted workshops in Alice Springs led by Claire McKie (Barwon Health), bringing together Central Australian healthcare staff to explore compassionate care, staff wellbeing and healing environments. The event closed with a visit to Parrtjima, celebrating the role of cultural connection in care. Read more |
The FCTU Team (L-R): Kelly Loffler, Rupali Saikia, Natalie Walker, Mariah Morias, and Julie Weston
Celebrating the Purpose and Power of Clinical Trials
The Flinders Clinical Trials Unit (pictured) is proud to celebrate International Clinical Trials Day (Monday 20 May) – a time to acknowledge the impact of clinical research in advancing health outcomes and the dedicated professionals who make it possible. At the forefront of every breakthrough in medicine are the clinical research professionals working behind the scenes—driven by a shared purpose to improve health outcomes and transform lives. This International Clinical Trials Day, we celebrate the dedicated team at the Flinders Clinical Trials Unit (FCTU), whose work is central to delivering evidence-based innovations in healthcare. Read our Q&A with the team
Wellbeing week gratitude walls. Staff and students across Rural and Remote South Australia took the opportunity to celebrate Flinders University Wellbeing week and share some gratitude on campus at Victor Harbor, Mount Gambier and Renmark. It was great to see the interactive Gratitude Walls filling up over the course of the week and for the students (and staff) to embrace the practice of gratitude in this meaningful way.
Get to know your College
In acknowledgement of International Clinical Trials Day (May 20), we're pleased to introduce Natalie Walker, the Director of the Flinders Clinical Trials Platform at FHRMI. Natalie brings a strong background in public health, with expertise in addiction and harm reduction. She leads clinical trial activity, helping translate research into real-world impact. Previously based at the University of Auckland, she co-directed major health research centres. Now also working in MPH, she focuses on pragmatic, community-based trials that drive policy and improve health outcomes, especially for underserved communities.
Expressions of Interest
FHMRI Researcher Education and Development (RED) Lead (or Co-Leads)
FHMRI invites expressions of interest for the RED Lead role. This 0.2FTE, fixed-term (2 years) position will commence 1 July, with the option to appoint two Co-Leads (0.1FTE each). The RED Lead will be a member of the FHMRI leadership team and work closely with the CMPH HDR Coordinator to drive strategic research training and capacity-building across the Institute. Responsibilities include shaping and delivering researcher development programs, strengthening support for HDR supervision, mentoring ECRs, and enhancing alignment with FHMRI and University research priorities. The position is open to academic staff with experience and interest in research development, leadership, and mentoring.
Applications close COB 30 May. Download full position details. For more information, contact Billie Bonevski or Amy Reynolds.
Associate Professor/Senior Research Fellow (Practitioner Fellows)
Applications are now invited for two part-time (up to 0.5FTE), fixed-term (2 years) Practitioner Fellowships: Senior Research Fellow (Level C) and Associate Professor (Level D). These positions are designed for clinician researchers to dedicate time to research that is aligned with their discipline to enhance competitiveness for national funding.
- Open to qualified clinicians across Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied Health
- Strong track record in research and grant success required
- Supports research leadership and collaboration
Applications close 10pm (ACST) May 21. View full details and position descriptions. Contact Raymond Chan for more information.
Events
Brandon Biocatalyst Translation Seminar #4
10am - 11:30am, Monday 19 May, Adelaide University Health and Medical Sciences building - The University of Adelaide
Join Christoper Burns as he shares his journey through the invention and development of momelotinib, a drug for treating myelofibrosis and approved by the US FDA in 2023. This journey follows an Australian biotech company developed momelotinib through the clinic, and follows acquisitions by pharma companies Gilead and GSK. In person only. Register here
Franklin Women Virtual Meetup – ‘Wearing Two Hats: The Path of a Clinician Researcher’
1–2pm AEST, Tuesday 20 May, (Online via Zoom)
Join Franklin Women members for a conversation with Mei Ling Yap, radiation oncologist and NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow. Mei will share her journey as a clinician researcher, reflecting on balancing two professional roles while raising a family. Free for members.
Cancer Impact Seminar Series – presented by Marisa Nucci
12–1pm (lunch and networking: 1–2pm), Friday 23 May, Lecture Theatre 3, FMC
Join Marisa Nucci (Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital) as she explores diagnostic decisions in leiomyosarcoma, emerging research, and the role of AI in pathology. Marisa is a leading pathologist and Division Chief of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, and part of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center's Sarcoma Program.
Thriving@Flinders: Upcoming wellbeing activities for staff
Staff Wellbeing Focus Group. We are inviting our amazing people to participate in Staff Wellbeing Focus Group on Tuesday 27 May (2:30-4pm). After launching the Thriving@Flinders initiative in 2024, we’ve seen great momentum in supporting staff wellbeing. Now, it’s time to take it to the next level. Do you have ideas about how we can make Flinders an even better place to work? Share your ideas and be heard. Register here by 23 May. Email thriving@flinders.edu.au for more details.
Menopause Champions. Are you a menopause champion? As we work towards becoming an accredited menopause friendly workplace in 2025, we are looking for passionate people to get involved in this journey. Join us and become a Menopause Champion, be part of driving change. Our champions will receive training on 20 August 2025, and connect at quarterly meetings, to share the latest advice and information. Ready to be a part of this? Nominate here today.
Workshop: Foundations of Inclusive Leadership – Tuesday 27 May (Professional staff)
Facilitated by Anna Lee, this practical workshop helps leaders build the skills and confidence to support diverse individuals and teams, whether through meeting practices, project allocation, or recognition and reward. Professional fixed-term and continuing staff can be enrolled via the Staff Learning Portal.
CMPH Biosciences Monthly Seminars: Tuesday 27 May
9:30am - 10:30am, Level 2 Seminar Room 02, HMRB. "Using expansion microscopy to reveal the invisible biology of parasites" presented by Ben Liffner (School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide). All Welcome (In-person only). A recording will be available after the seminar, contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
The submission deadline for abstracts is Saturday 31 May. Submit your abstract using the RHIPER Abstract Template to RACE Senior Researcher Amy Mendham via health.rmclhnresearchunit@sa.gov.au
SALHN Research Week 2025 – Abstracts submission close Tuesday 10 June
Abstract submissions are now open for SALHN Research Week, (15–19 September). Present your work through a five-minute rapid-fire paper or a poster presentation under one of four themes: Health Services Research, Continuous Improvement/Implementation Science, Discovery Science, or Clinical Trials. Submit here via SALHN Research Week.
Need to know
Cancer Council SA 2025 Fellowships – applications now open
This year, three Early-Career Research Fellowships and four Mid-Career Research Fellowships will be awarded across basic science, clinical medicine and science, and health services/public health research.
A special Mid-Career Fellowship focused on metastatic bowel cancer will also be awarded. Early-career researchers will receive $80,000 per year, and mid-career researchers will receive $100,000 per year, with funding available for up to three years. If you intend to apply, notify the NHMRC grants team and the CMPH RDS team.
Top issues facing Australians revealed in national Flinders survey. The Wicked Problems Report has identified Australians’ top concerns, with cost-of-living, housing affordability, crime, healthcare access, and the environment leading the list. Based on feedback from over 30,000 people, the findings will guide Flinders’ research to focus on real-world challenges that matter most to communities. The report also highlights variations by state, region, generation and income, and will be run annually to track changing priorities. Read more |
Help shape the future of Bedford Park campus. The University seeks your feedback on the draft 50-year Master Plan for Bedford Park. Building on insights gathered in 2024, the University has developed key ideas to guide the future of the campus and is now inviting further input from staff and students. Visit one of the pop-up sessions from 13–22 May to view the proposed elements and share your thoughts. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can read the plan and complete a short survey online by 6 June. Event details and survey |
Reminder from College Finance: Research Queries
CMPH Finance is streamlining research finance communications. Please direct all research-related queries to cmph.finance@flinders.edu.au instead of Grants.Finance@flinders.edu.au. This change reflects the College Finance team’s role in managing both research and general financial matters. A single contact point will reduce confusion and ensure more efficient responses, particularly for queries that span multiple funding types. Grants Finance will continue to monitor external funder communications, but all other queries should now go to cmph.finance@flinders.edu.au. Service One requests should continue as usual.
Update your qualifications for a chance to win! Academic staff: update your qualifications in Workday by 5pm (SA time), Friday 30 May and go in the draw to win one of four $100 VISA gift cards! Make sure to upload proof of your qualifications. Information for managers: Watch for Workday notifications—you’ll be required to approve updates submitted by your staff. |
Applications open: The John Monash Scholarship. Australian citizens can apply for the prestigious John Monash Scholarship to pursue postgraduate study overseas (master’s or PhD). Worth $100,000 AUD per year for up to three years, it covers tuition, living costs, and includes leadership and career development. Apply by 30 June – full details available on the Flinders' website. |