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Update from the Director of Poche SA+NT
This month, National Close the Gap Day will take place on March 20, coinciding with the release of the Commonwealth Government’s latest annual report. This year’s theme - Agency, Leadership, Reform: Ensuring the survival, dignity, and wellbeing of First Nations peoples - underscores the ongoing commitment to closing the gap in health and social outcomes. The Close the Gap Campaign was established following Professor Tom Calma’s (Poche SA+NT Patron) 2005 Social Justice Report, which highlighted health as a fundamental human right. Each year, the campaign adopts a new theme to reflect evolving priorities. This year’s focus highlights the need for meaningful action and investment to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is embedded at all levels. It also reinforces the importance of strong governance structures that amplify Indigenous voices and the need for systemic reforms that support Indigenous-led mechanisms and initiatives within policies, services, and programs. For those interested, the report launch details can be found here.
The team at Poche SA+NT has had a busy start to the year, with the publication of recommendations for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Ethicsarising from Murra Minya, a national research
project exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' experiences with health research. In February, a special issue of the Medical Journal of Australia was launched, featuring contributions from investigators on the project from Poche SA+NT and Rural and Remote Health. You can see the special issue here.
A few members of the Poche SA+NT team attended the 25th anniversary of Science meets Parliament. On day two, I also chaired a session at Parliament House in Canberra, titled ‘Putting Indigenous Communities at the Centre’, which explored the importance of collaboration, respect, and sovereignty in research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This session really highlighted the how important the theme of this years National Close the Day and how the shifting landscape of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander rights has paved the way for such a bold and fearless conversation at the heart of Australia’s government. You can learn more here.
With exciting activities planned for the year ahead, Poche SA+NT is poised for a busy time, full of opportunities to expand our outreach, research, and education initiatives in support of the aspirations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.
Director, Poche SA+NT, College of Medicine and Public Health
Join the 2025 College Retreat: Tickets available
The College of Medicine and Public Health Retreat will take place on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 March 2025 at the Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB). This two-day event offers an excellent opportunity for all MPH staff to connect, collaborate, and reflect on shared goals and achievements. The retreat will feature engaging activities, insightful presentations, and meaningful discussions. Further details about presenters, topics, and interactive sessions will be provided soon. In the meantime, staff are encouraged to register attendance to secure their seat. This is a valuable opportunity to participate in an inspiring and productive event.
Updated ticket types: Ticket options have been updated. If your two-day ticket was previously cancelled, please re-register to secure your place.
EMCRs - Do you have a burning questions to be addressed at the College Retreat?
Maybe one you’ve been too shy to ask? This could be anything in the research world that you’d like to know… Submit your anonymous questions to be presented to the following panel at the CMPH retreat (Tuesday 25th March 11:00).
- Jonathan Craig, VPED, successful clinician scientist and research leader
- Karen Lower, ECR, balanced academic to Dean (Education)
- Billie Bonevski, CALD background, research fellow to Dean (Research) while raising a family
- Rebecca Keough, lab-based scientist, PhD, to Institute Manager
- Kathryn Martinello, clinician now ECR research academic
- Tim Schultz, grant funded research academic, HDR Coordinator
Congratulations
FHMRI Sleep Health recognised by the GP Mental Health Standards Collaboration
Today is World Sleep Day, an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and promote sleep health in primary care. The team from FHMRI Sleep Health/AISH Sleep Health Clinic have recently been recognised by the GP Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) as an accredited training provider for Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) related to insomnia disorder. What this means, is they will launch a new training course for GPs in managing insomnia. Please encourage GPs Australia wide to train with them and become a registered FPS provider. For more information or to register interest click here or email sleephealthtraining@flinders.edu.au.
Congratulations - from Education, Learning and Teaching Innovation
We would like to announce that we have two new Course Co-ordinators, Christine Barry will be the incoming Bachelor of Clinical Science course coordinator and Tobias Speare the incoming Remote Health course coordinator. They both start on the 1st of April.
As well as Manasi Murthy Mittinty, who has received an Advance HE Senior Fellowship, in the latest Advance HE round, which is a wonderful achievement and testament to his excellence in teaching
Out and About
SA Rural Medical Program launch in Mt Gambier
On Wednesday the Vice Chancellor, Professor Colin Stirling, officially launched the new SA Rural Medical Program at Flinders Mount Gambier campus to an enthusiastic audience of politicians, local government mayors, LHN representatives, GP educators, Flinders staff, students, and community members.
This was a great occasion to celebrate all the hard work that the SA Rural Medial team and staff have put in to make it all happen on the ground. Next up we will be in Renmark on Monday 31st of March to do the same.
Remote Health Experience 2025
‘Walking in each other’s shoes, honouring each other’s stories’ — this guiding motto shaped the 2025 Remote Health Experience, an annual event that brings together health students from across the Northern Territory for immersive, inter-professional learning.
To prepare future health professionals for remote health challenges, Flinders University hosted the three-day event in Katherine region of the Northern Territory, from 8–10 March 2025.
Get to Know Your College
Get to Know Your College: Melba Ridd
Melba Ridd is a Flinders University lecturer based in the Northern Territory. She’s recently completed a Master of Clinical Education to strengthen her skills in training future health professionals. Passionate about what she does, Melba shares her proud achievement and tips on how to start with a smaller commitment, seek workplace support, and maintain a work-life balance.
Expressions of Interest
Call for Research Projects and Supervisors for MD Students
All Doctor of Medicine (MD) students engage in research and scholarship throughout their four-year degree, through a theme called Advanced Studies. Students can elect to undertake one of two pathways: research or coursework. The research pathway provides students with opportunities to undertake research that impacts the health of our communities.
To facilitate research opportunities, the Advanced Studies team are seeking expressions of interest for Advanced Studies research supervisors. You may have a project in mind, or you may wish to be included as a potential supervisor and work with a student to collaboratively develop a project of mutual interest. If you have an idea for a research project or would like to join the supervisor list, email the Advanced Studies team to discuss how you might want to become involved.
Embedding Sustainability in Teaching Scheme - Applications close March 31
One of the Learning and Teaching goals of the Flinders University 2030 Sustainability Strategy is to further embed sustainability in our curriculum. To support this, a new ‘Embedding Sustainability in Teaching Scheme’ is open for new initiatives that target interdisciplinary approaches for sustainability teaching. A maximum of $25,000 is available per project. Read the eligibility criteria, learn more and apply here. Applications close at 5pm on 31 March 2025.
Events
Updates to HDR Milestone presentations (every Friday during Semester)
MPH HDR Friday Milestone Presentation Forums will no longer update calendar invitations weekly. Presentations are at 12:30 pm every Friday in the HMRB seminar area, Level 2. The upcoming schedule link is in the invitation, and any changes will be shown there. Final thesis reviews are now 30 minutes long. For more details, contact HDRsupport.CMPH@flinders.edu.au.
Medical Grand Round: Thursday 20 March
12:30 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Level 5, FMC
A light lunch will be available from 12.15pm
"A Clotty Conundrum" Presented by Dr James Cuthbertson ICU Trainee, ICU, SALHN.
"Thunderclap to Turmoil" Presented by: Dr Marwan Elmenyawi ICU Trainee, ICU, SALHN
Sessions to refine and strengthen your NHMRC Ideas Grant application
NHMRC Ideas Grants Pitching Session: Pitch your research project to a panel of Ideas Grant holders and reviewers and receive constructive feedback to polish and strengthen your proposal.
Guidelines and Strategic Advice: Preparing to apply for an NHMRC Ideas Grant? Join this session to delve into the guidelines, processes and key considerations for a strong application.
Contact Researcher Training, Development and Communication to learn more.
Join Flinders' Neurodiversity Celebration Week Forum: Tuesday 18 March
3pm - 4pm, Tuesday 18 March, Lecture Theatre 1.09, Health Sciences, Bedford Park or online
Flinders University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and we invite staff—especially those in leadership—to join a discussion on building a neurodiverse workforce. This forum will increase organisational understanding and inform future initiatives to reduce inequities. Learn more or register
- Panellist: Colin Raston (Science & Engineering)
- Panellist: Amy Kosandiak (Library, Patron Engagement)
- Panellist: Ali Enright (Education, Psychology & Social Work)
- Panellist: Amy Wyatt (Medicine & Public Health)
- Chair: Paula Redpath (Medicine & Public Health)
Join Our Tackling Racism Workshop - Let's Do Better: Tackling Racism for Workplaces
9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 3 April, Alere Function Centre, Flinders University
We are pleased to bring you the ActNow theatre workshop on Tackling Racism for Workplaces. Morning tea included!
ActNow's Tackling Racism Workshop will address the need for cultural change in the workplace. This interactive session is an opportunity to educate staff on anti-racism strategies, exploring interpersonal and institutional racism. Equip yourself with the tools and terminology to understand the ripple effects of seemingly harmless behaviors. Using forum theatre techniques, participants will actively support characters in dealing with racism and find relevant workplace solutions.
Staff Learning Portal Info sessions
Don't forget to take a look at the Flinders NEW Staff Learning Portal, providing a central system for managing, tracking, and reporting on staff training. The portal offers improved oversight for leaders, enhanced analytics, and automated reporting. To support the transition, optional an information session is scheduled for 20 March. Staff can still register via the links below:
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Next seminar Friday 21 March
10:30am (morning tea provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building. No need to register – please refer to the calendar invitation for the livestream link
- Fri 21 Mar: Nicole Rankin - Evaluation & Implementation Science (University of Melbourne). Nicole's work focuses on how evidence can be translated into clinical practice to improve patient and health service outcomes, especially relating to lung cancer screening and the psychosocial aspects of disease management.
- Wed 16 Apr: Lachlan Smith - Orthopaedic research (University of Pennsylvania)
- Tue 1 Jul: Lezanne Ooi - Neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration (University of Wollongong)
- Mon 28 Jul: Peter van Wijngaarden - Ophthalmic neuroscience (Florey Institute)
- Wed 19 Nov: Fiona Blyth - Public health & pain epidemiology (University of Sydney)
Join to hear international and national research leaders share their career journeys and research highlights. Open to all disciplines, these seminars offer valuable insights for everyone.
Join a farewell celebration for Lewis Vaughan
Join us in farewelling Lewis Vaughan as he retires at the end of March. Drop by The Tav on Wednesday 26 March, 2.30–4pm to wish him well. Nibbles provided— please RSVP to animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au by Friday 21 March for catering. Please feel free to share this invite with your group.
Need to know
Filming and photography requests on Flinders campuses
Flinders has an updated process for filming and photography on our campuses. Please see the full steps via link below that you will need to follow before any filming can commence at a Flinders location. FIND OUT MORE >>>
Vote for Dr Bryce Brickley. A finalist in the NT Young Achievers Award under the Northern Territory Government Minister for Youth Excellence in Youth Leadership Award. Don’t forget to please support Bryce, you can vote every day, on each of your device and browser until the poll closes on 7 April.
Applications Open: Research Investment Fund Schemes
Applications are now open for the following Research Investment Fund schemes:
- Research Support for Early and Mid-Career Researchers – Closes March 24 (College deadline)
- Research Infrastructure Funding – Closes 7 April (College deadline). Please note funding is capped at $50K per project, with co-investment required from the College.
- Large Scale Transdisciplinary & Partnership Seed Grants – Closes 14 April
For further application support contact CMPH.Research@flinders.edu.au
- EMCR Publication Grants: Applications will be considered at any time until the funding is expended. Learn more or apply