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Update from the Director of Poche SA+NT
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, highlights the need to acknowledge the past while looking to the future.
The recent National Advancing Indigenous Data Sovereignty in Genomics Workshop, hosted by Poche SA+NT, exemplifies this theme. The workshop brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous experts, researchers, and community leaders to reflect on and discuss a draft Indigenous Genomics Stewardship Model, including six foundational pillars identified through literature review, social network analysis, case study work, and community consultation.
The workshop created a space for collaboration and partnership, and these discussions are critical to the creation of a practical and community-informed model for the stewardship of Indigenous genomic data. With a strong focus on implementation, workshop discussions provided vital insights and recommendations which will inform the next phase of research.
Director of Poche SA+NT, College of Medicine and Public Health
Reminder: CMPH Monthly Forum - Clinical Trials Team (Wednesday 4 June)
2pm - 3pm, Health and Medical Research Building Seminar Rooms 1 & 2, or on Teams.
Join us at the upcoming College Forum hosted by Billie Bonevski, featuring Natalie Walker and the Flinders Clinical Trial Platform team. Learn how clinical trials apply across research areas and discover the support available to Flinders staff and students.
Congratulations
Peter Subramaniam appointed AMA SA President
Congratulations to Peter Subramaniam, Vascular Surgeon and academic within MPH, on his appointment as President of the Australian Medical Association (SA). In his new role, Peter will advocate for structural reform and strategies to support a sustainable health workforce, stating “Doctors have always stood for their patients. As AMA SA President, I will stand up for them. Backing doctors is backing safe care.”
Bastien Lechat wins top international sleep research award
Congratulations to FHMRI Sleep Health researcher Bastien Lechat, who received the prestigious James B. Skatrud New Investigator Award at the American Thoracic Society conference in San Francisco. The award recognises his achievements and future promise in respiratory neurobiology and sleep research.
Out and About
Clinical Supervision Workshop connects health professionals in Nhulunbuy
Another successful Clinical Supervision Workshop was delivered in Nhulunbuy last week, bringing together participants from a range of health professions and local organisations. The interactive session focused on clinical teaching skills and strategies to support local learners, with plenty of valuable discussion and collaboration. A highlight of the day was the Yolŋu cultural perspective shared by senior cultural educators Murphy and Lipaki, which offered deep insight into supporting learners in community settings. Thank you to all who attended — your energy and enthusiasm made it a memorable and meaningful experience.
New app supports First Nations mums and babies Flinders researchers have launched Growin’ Up Healthy Babies – a culturally safe mobile app designed to provide trusted health information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies. Led by FHMRI Director Billie Bonevski and supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group, the app was co-designed with Aboriginal health services to reflect the cultural needs of First Nations women. It aims to improve access to timely, culturally relevant maternal and child health care. |
Improving empathy in rural health workers Flinders' Department of Rural Health recently held Hearing Voices That Are Distressing workshops in Mount Gambier, helping health and social care workers support people who experience distressing voices. Co-facilitated by Carol-Ann Stanborough, the sessions increased participants' empathy and understanding, with insights informed by lived experience. The workshops are part of a national rural research project exploring changes in practice following the training. |
Music for Health Returns to Flinders Medical Centre (June 5 and 19)
Second-year Medicine students will once again bring music to the wards and courtyard as part of the Music for Health elective. Patients, staff, and visitors can enjoy lunchtime concerts in the Level 2 Courtyard on Thursday 5 June and Thursday 19 June, with ward visits also scheduled throughout May and June. This unique program supports student wellbeing and professional development while creating meaningful connections through music. Expect an eclectic mix of performances—from classical piano to guitar solos and acapella vocals.
Get to know your College
Get to know your College: Dayna Easton
Dayna is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at FHMRI Sleep Health, exploring how the circadian system and light sensitivity may influence PTSD risk after trauma. She completed her PhD at the Appleton Institute, focusing on fatigue and performance in shift workers. Passionate about translating research into real-world impact, Dayna enjoys working directly with shift workers to support their health and wellbeing. Get to know Dayna
Expressions of Interest
Chair / Co-chair for the FHMRI Professional Research Community of Practice (CoP)
FHMRI seeks expressions of interest from individuals of all experience levels for a new Chair or Co-Chairs to lead the FHMRI Professional Research Staff Community of Practice. This is a great opportunity to support collaboration, shared learning and professional networking across FHMRI.
As Chair, you will:
Help plan and lead CoP activities
Build connections across teams
Join FHMRI RED meetings
Benefits include:
Leadership and facilitation experience
Networking across the Institute
Opportunity to influence CoP direction
Submit your EOI by Monday 2 June. For more information, contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
Events
Flinders University Paramedicine & Prehospital Care Research Forum
3pm - 5pm, Monday 2 June. Room 337 HMRB or online
"Honours Degree in Paramedicine: The What, Who and How". Hear about the Bachelor of Paramedicine (Honours) from the course coordinator, past paramedic honours graduates, current students and potential honours supervisors. RSVP to james.pearce@flinders.edu.au to attend in person (for refreshments courtesy of the Australasian College of Paramedicine).
SALHN Research Week 2025 – Abstracts submission close Tuesday 10 June
Abstract submissions are now open for SALHN Research Week, running 15–19 September 2025. 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. Prizes awarded for best paper and poster. Submit here via SALHN Research Week Call for Abstracts.
Clinical Supervisor Training Event - Teaching (11:45am - 12:45pm, Tuesday 17 June)
There will be a lunchtime session on Tuesday 17 June* for Clinicians showcasing the current landscape of Paediatric teaching at Flinders Medical Centre. This event will highlight key educational practices and the evidence-based theories that support them. Lunch will be provided. Certificates of attendance will be available for CPD purposes.
FHMRI Cancer Impact Seminar Series (12pm, Tuesday 17 June, Lvl 2 HMRB Seminar Space)
Applying health economic research to drive change for cost-effective cancer prevention interventions presented by Louisa Collins (Research Lead, Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland). Lunch and networking will follow the presentation from 1pm - 2pm.
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Next seminar - Tuesday 1 July
12:30 (lunch provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building. No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation
- Tue 1 Jul: Lezanne Ooi - Neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration (University of Wollongong)
- Mon 28 Jul: Peter van Wijngaarden - Ophthalmic neuroscience (Florey Institute)
- 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)
Join FHMRI Inspiring Leader Seminars 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. Nominate a speaker
Are you looking to recruit honours, masters or PhD students?
FHMRI’s annual Road to Research (11:30am - 1pm, Thursday 28 August) student recruitment event is an opportunity to showcase your research to potential students and capture their interest in joining your research team. Potential supervisors are invited have an interactive display or activity to demonstrate your research to a range of prospective students and spark conversations. Examples have included origami from protein folding researchers, and standard drink pouring from NCETA. Register your interest by Friday 25 July.
Need to know
Update: College Executive functions and responsibilities
As shared in April, the College is transitioning to a new set of Executive-led governance groups. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the process. Brief group details are below, with more information now available on the CMPH staff website.
The College Executive Team, comprising the Vice President and Executive Dean, Dean of Research, Dean of Education, Dean of People and Resources, Dean of Rural and Remote Health, and Director of College Services, supported by the Senior Executive Officer, will meet weekly to discuss time-sensitive information that informs decision-making.
Once every four weeks, the College Executive Committee will meet for two hours to receive formal reports from CMPH subcommittees and other committees that report to central university governance groups. The College Executive Committee is comprised of the College Executive Team plus the Director of Poche SA & NT, Heads of Disciplines and key professional staff. An Extended Leadership group, including discipline group leads and nominated research and education leaders will meet twice a year, with the aim to enhance information sharing and two-way communication.
Canva Licence Access
Due to the limited number of Canva Enterprise licences at the University, access is currently restricted to key marketing and operational staff producing University-branded content. Until funding allows the subscription to be expanded, researchers and other staff are encouraged to use free Canva accounts where possible. Flinders-approved branded templates for flyers, letterheads, EDM banners and digital screens can be shared with non-Enterprise accounts for easy use and consistency with University branding. If you require access to these templates or have questions about supported use, contact cmph.marcomms@flinders.edu.au
P&C Update: Leave management via WorkDay
The new My Team Absence Dashboard on Workday gives managers quick and convenient access to reports and tasks for managing and monitoring staff leave. This new feature also enables managers to:
- Easily identify staff with excess leave (they are now marked with a flag) for discussions about leave reduction
- Access Future Approved Time Off reports that show future planned and approved leave to keep track of leave balances and workforce planning
- Drill down to view individual employee time-off details
Please refer to the My Team Absence Dashboard User Guide for further information.