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Update from the Dean of People and Resources
The first quarter of the year has been eventful with the commencement of another academic year with wonderful new staff, the launch of new programs and initiatives, including the recent retreat. To that end, a warm welcome to Andrew Makkink who has recently joined our team, taking on the critical leadership position of Discipline Lead of Paramedicine, building on its current strengths to further educational and research impact for our students and community.
Thank you to all who have contributed to the Your Voice retreat session, providing insights and suggestions into better ways of engaging staff and supporting well-being, noting that there will be further activities from this event. Similarly, the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the proposed changes to the function and structure of College Executive Groups is now closed, and I am looking forward to the next steps of improvements in our governance, which the VPED will advise in due course.
I wish to particularly highlight our GIDE committee-led ActNow theatre workshop on Tackling Racism for Workplaces held on April 3 (pictured above) which saw a full house with active participation of all attendees from across the board - academic and professional staff, Discipline Leads, and students fully engaged in this practical yet very important interactive session. Following due evaluation, we hope to facilitate further session and the interim it is important for all staff to undertake cultural and anti-racism training, now reflected as mandatory on the Staff Learning Portal and ensure appropriate and respectful and professional conduct and application in the workplace.
I would like to take the opportunity to wish a restful break over the upcoming long weekend.
Dean (People and Resources), College of Medicine and Public Health
Save the date: May College Forum
Mark your calendars! The next College of Medicine and Public Health Forum will be held on Tuesday 14 May, from 1:30–2:30pm in Health Sciences Lecture Theatre 1.01. Details and presenters to be confirmed – stay tuned for more information in upcoming eNews editions.
Get to Know Your College
Get to know your College: Jim Dollman
Based at the Renmark campus, Jim Dollan supports early career academics and partners with local communities to co-design research that addresses rural health challenges. With a background in exercise physiology and a strong focus on social determinants of health, he’s passionate about place-based wellbeing and promoting active lifestyles in rural settings. Get to know Jim
Meet Peter Susanto: Medicine Student and Global Changemaker
Peter Susanto made history as the youngest student to enter Flinders University’s Doctor of Medicine program in the Northern Territory. Now in his second year, he’s already making an impact on a global scale—representing Australia at the UN Climate Conference in Azerbaijan, advocating for youth as a UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador, and influencing change in public health policy across the NT. Driven by a passion for medicine, equity and sustainability, Peter is proving that local voices can lead on the world stage. Get to know Peter
Events
Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) Neurodiversity Awareness Training
10:30am - 11:45am, Thursday 1 May, web conference (online)
Join a session on neurodiversity and learn how to create a neuroinclusive workplace. Attend this 75-minute online session which provides insights into the fundamentals of neurodiversity and shares real workplace experiences from neurodivergent individuals. You'll gain practical tools and strategies to help build a more neuroinclusive workplace.
South Australian MND - Research, Care & Collaboration Symposium
9am - 6pm, Friday 2 May, Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB)
Led by MNDSA, Flinders University, FHMRI and SALHN, this collaborative symposium unites researchers, clinicians and advocates to share the latest in MND research and care. Focused on improving outcomes for people living with MND, it’s a key platform for advancing knowledge, practice and partnerships across South Australia. Get tickets
Franklin Women: In Conversation with Annette Schmiede
5:30pm – 8pm (Sydney), 6:15–7:30pm (Livestream) Wednesday 7 May 2025
Join the Franklin Women community for a fabulous evening of networking and candid career conversation as founder Melina Georgousakis sits down with Annette Schmiede, CEO of the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre. Annette will reflect on her career journey, the value of connecting academia and industry, and the future of data and digital tech in health research and healthcare and why women need to be part of it. Register via the Franklin Women website (Use code FWxFLINDERS2024 for 25% off membership!)
Managing Probation for Professional Employees – Training Session
10am – 11am, Thursday 8 May, Online (Teams Meeting)
On behalf of the P&C Portfolio team, you are invited to an informative training session focused on the essential topic of managing probation for Professional staff. Designed for people leaders, this session will provide valuable guidance on effective probation management.
You're invited to join an online coffee catch-up for HDR students on Friday 9 May at 12:30 pm. Hosted by HDR Community of Practice representatives, this informal session is a chance to connect with peers, share experiences, ask questions, or simply take a break with your favourite drink. Whether you stay for the whole session or just drop in, all HDR students are welcome!
Scientific writing for publication in healthcare journals
ECRs (within 5 years post-PhD) and PhD students - Extend your expertise in scientific writing for the purposes of publication in healthcare journals! Facilitated by Jonathan Craig, Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College and author of > 1000 publications, h-index 118, > 83,000 cites. Jonathan is also an editor/editorial board member of many specialist and epidemiological journals.
4x 90 minute sessions
- Week 1: Introduction and abstracts
- Week 2: Background and methods
- Week 3: Results – figures and tables
- Week 4: Discussion, replying to editors, wrap up
Dates
- 23 June 10am, HMRB and online for NT
- 30 June 10am, HMRB and online for NT
- 7 July 10am, HMRB and online for NT
- 14 July 10am, HMRB and online for NT
Find more information about the content and register here. (Registration is essential)
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: next seminar Tuesday 1 July
12:30pm (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 – Cancer immunology (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
- Wed 19 Nov: Fiona Blyth - Public health & pain epidemiology (University of Sydney)
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
Need to know
Notice of Changes to the Research Now Application
Several mandatory questions in the Research Now application have been hidden effective 28 April. After consulting with all the colleges, the decision was made to remove these questions to streamline the process. Seven questions have been hidden from view and no longer need to be answered. However, the data for these questions on the previous Research Now application remains available in the system for reporting purposes.
Additionally, the Declaration that must be read and confirmed by the Chief Investigator has been revised and strengthened. It now includes requirements regarding Working with Children and Police Checks. For any questions, contact research.grants@flinders.edu.au or cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
Are you or do you know a Clinician or Allied Health Professional interested in research?
Flinders University is offering a new Clinician PhD Scholarship that aims to attract and support clinicians from a range of disciplines to undertake a higher degree by research in either CMPH or CNHS.
The scholarship is open to an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen currently admitted, or eligible for admission, to a PhD at Flinders and provides a $50,000 stipend per annum (full-time, tax-free for 3.5 years). Learn more information here or contact: hdrsupport.cmph@flinders.edu.au. Please share this opportunity with your networks. Closing date is May 16.
2025 Flinders University Alumni Awards: Do you know a Flinders graduate who is making a difference in their field, to their community or to the University? Help them get the recognition they deserve by nominating them in one of four Alumni Award categories! New for 2025, the John Moriarty AM Impact Award will honour a graduate whose exceptional contributions have advanced the wellbeing and empowerment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. Find out more
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John Chalmers Travel Fellowship for Early Career Academics – 2025 applications are now being accepted. The John Chalmers Travel Fellowships support early career academics to attend a national or international conference to advance their professional standing in their chosen health and medical research or education field. Two grants of $1500 for international travel and two grants of $500 for domestic travel are available for staff this year. Applications can be submitted online and close 5pm Friday 25 April. |
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David and Margaret Wattchow Research Travel Fund – 2025 applications are now being accepted. The David and Margaret Wattchow Research Travel Fund supports Higher Degree or Early-Mid Career Researchers to obtain skills and knowledge that will directly benefit neuroscience research in the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI). This year $2000 is on offer to bring back new knowledge or techniques to FHMRI. Applications can be submitted online and close 5pm Friday 25 April |
CMPH Travel Schemes - Round 2 applications now being accepted
The College is now accepting travel applications for academic and professional staff travelling between August 2025 – January 2026.
Support is available for domestic and international travel for conferences and professional development opportunities. Full details of the schemes and links to the online applications can be found on the CMPH Funding page. Closing deadline for Round 2 applications is 5pm, Friday 27 June. Please forward any enquiries to cmph.operations@flinders.edu.au
HCF Research Foundation Health Services Research Grants: Expressions of Interest are now open for the HCF Research Foundation Health Services Research Grants 2025 program if your health services research project addresses one of the following areas:
- Structural and employment design approaches that improve the satisfaction and retention of the healthcare workforce leading to improved care continuity, patient safety and health outcomes and supporting the sustainability of the health care system.
- Evaluation of acute hospital avoidance programs and approaches to address frequent and/or unnecessary emergency presentations.
- Implementation strategies for pain management models of care that reduce the risk of pain chronicity and opioid overuse and addiction.
Internal Close: 5 May | External Close: 19 May. For application support contact Research Grants and Tenders at IGII@flinders.edu.au
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2025 NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship scheme - Now Open This scheme provides funding for successful applicants to attain a research based postgraduate degree (Doctor of Philosophy or Research Masters degree). Applicants will need significant support from their current or prospective primary supervisor.
Contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au if you intend to apply. |
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NHMRC Development Grants 2025 for funding 2026 The intended outcome of the Development Grant scheme is to increase the rates of translation of health and medical research into commercial outcomes, resulting in improved health and medical knowledge
Please inform the NHMRC grants team of your intent to apply at nhmrc@flinders.edu.au |