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Update from the Vice President and Executive Dean
Last week I had the privilege of attending the opening of the Aboriginal Power Cup. The Aboriginal Power Cup is a joint initiative with the SA Attorney-General's Department, and is an education-based strategy that engages First Nations secondary school students in their education and career pathways with a competitive AFL carnival as its centrepiece.
Delivered in partnership with the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA), with the carnival timed with Reconciliation Week, 700 students from 60+ schools in SA and the NT participated. The vibe was positively infectious. Flinders is a very proud partner that opens up opportunities for First Nations students to see themselves at university and understand the pathways to higher education. The leadership of Simone Tur, our PVC Indigenous and her wonderful staff in Yunggorendi Mande needs to be acknowledged in building stronger community partnerships and supporting prospective and current students and staff. Thank you Simone and your team for your leadership, wisdom and strength. The RAP conference, that many of you will have participated in, is another example.
In that spirit of thanks and acknowledgement, thanks to Michal Wozniak, Rachel Tan, Alison Jones and Collette Green who did the lion’s share of the work in submitting our case to the AMC to reaccredit the MD program. I’m delighted to note that we have just been notified that we have been reaccredited for another 3 years. This is particularly noteworthy given that there are a number of new standards. Thanks also to Shannon Macfarlane, Louise Roberts, Andrew Makkink and Collette Green for the huge amount of work they have done in relation to the reaccreditation of our paramedicine degree. Well done to you all. These are onerous but essential processes.
The week of 27 May to 3 June commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. Celebrate, reflect and participate in National Reconciliation Week, which has the theme of “Bridging Now to Next”.
Vice President and Executive Dean, College of Medicine and Public Health
Congratulations
Congratulations to our Flinders students for their outstanding success at the recent Moynihan Chirurgical Club meeting in Adelaide. All free paper presentation spots were awarded to current or recently graduated Flinders students, with MD1 student Jiyon John taking out the prestigious Moynihan Chirurgical Prize for best presentation. Read more on the MPH Blog
Out and About
Well done to all our rural and remote health staff who celebrated Heart Week last week! Thanks for taking time to walk, connect with colleagues, and reflect on how small changes can make a big difference to our heart health.
CMPH Professional Staff Lunch: A Great Chance to Reconnect
Thank you to all the CMPH professional staff who joined our recent lunchtime get-together. It was a great opportunity for colleagues embedded across the College / Bedford Park to catch up, share a meal, and connect with both familiar and new faces. Following a short welcome from Director of College Services Lorraine Karunaratne, the event was all about informal chats and community building—no workshops, no textas, just good conversation and great company. We’re grateful to everyone who made time to attend and look forward to more opportunities like this to bring our professional staff community together.
Get to know your College
From Law to Lifesaving: Ellie’s Path to Paramedicine
Ellie Jefferson-Wetherill began university studying Law, Business, and Tourism, eager to explore her options. But during her first year, she discovered a deeper passion for a more hands-on, people-focused career—leading her to the Bachelor of Paramedicine. “Studying Law gave me valuable skills, but I realised I wanted to make a more immediate impact.”
Expressions of Interest
ECR and HDR representatives for FHMRI-RED committee
The FHMRI-RED committee is seeking one HDR and one ECR representative to join the committee for a 12-month term. Ideal candidates will be active or engaged in the HDR/ECR community and interested in contributing to researcher development. The Committee meets every 6 weeks to support researcher development, HDR governance, and College research strategy. To apply, email a short statement to cmph.research@flinders.edu.au by 5pm, 30 May, outlining:
Why you’re interested
Your connection to the HDR/ECR community
Your commitment to the one-year term
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. For more information, contact Billie Bonevski or Amy Reynolds.
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
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 – seminars are held on the last Tuesday of each month (In-person only). A recording will be available after the seminar. contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
Health and Wellbeing webinar: Understanding and Helping Poor Sleep
Staff are invited to join this webinar on "Understanding and Helping Poor Sleep," as she unpacks the science of sleep and offers practical strategies for better rest. Discover what healthy sleep looks like, including the different sleep stages and how individual sleep needs can vary. Learn about sleep’s vital role in physical health, mental wellbeing, and daily performance, plus the risks associated with chronic poor sleep, and tips to help improve sleep.
11am-12pm, Wednesday 28 May. Register via iEnrol
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).
CMPH Monthly Forum - Clinical Trials Team (Wednesday 4 June)
2pm - 3pm, Health and Medical Research Building Seminar Rooms 1 & 2, or on Teams.
Please join us at this College Forum hosted by Billie Bonevski and featuring the team from the Flinders Clinical Trial Platform. Led by the new Director of the Platform, Natalie Walker, the team will introduce you to the wonderful world of clinical trials and how they can be utilised for so many topics (not just medicines). Attend and meet the members of the trials team, who will highlight the various ways they can support Flinders staff and students (across all colleges) with trials research.
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.
Call for Abstracts: Adelaide Protein Group Annual Research Symposium
The 2025 APG Annual Research Symposium is your chance to showcase research in protein and molecular bioscience from across Adelaide’s vibrant scientific community. There are five awards to be won for talks and posters. Submit your abstract before June 9.
Thursday 24 July, Flinders City Campus (Function Space 1407)
Planning to apply for an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)?
RDS and Research Coaching Australia are running ARC DECRA development workshops for new applications and one for resubmissions. This workshop will allow you to present a summary of your case for a DECRA application, receive feedback on the strength of your case against the criteria, and listen to and participate in the feedback provided to others. Six workshop participants will be offered personalised one-on-one coaching with an experienced grant writer from Research Coaching Australia. Workshop details:
- Resubmissions: Friday 27 June 9:30-11:30 am. Register via iEnrol.
- New applications: Friday 27 June 1:30-3:30 pm. Register via iEnrol.
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 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
A friendly P&C Reminder: Approving leave requests. This is a reminder for all supervisors that approval of annual and long service leave requests needs to be in advance of leave being taken. Exceptions should only be permitted in limited circumstances.
Bioinformatics Resources & Community Hub on Teams
A new Flinders Teams site has been launched to support bioinformatics across CMPH. This includes curated tutorials, walkthroughs, and practical resources. We’re also hoping this becomes a space where people can share problems, ask questions, and support each other as a community of practice similar to the Lab notes team. In the coming weeks we’re planning to begin organising in-person drop-in sessions.
A new learning and teaching resource: LTA Central – your hub for news, events, and updates from the Flinders Learning and Teaching Academy. Designed to support and enhance teaching across the University, the Academy promotes innovation, collaboration, and the Scholarship of Learning and Teaching. Academic staff are encouraged to follow LTA Central for the latest on conferences, grants, awards and learning opportunities for academics. Learn more |
External Grant Support EOI (Investigator Grants). Fellowship Writing & Review Support – now open for Investigator 2026. EOIs are now open for external Fellowship Writing & Review Support for the 2026 NHMRC Investigator Grant round (opening 4 June). This limited, co-funded support offers expert consultant input to help strengthen your application. More info and forms available via the FHMRI RDS Sharepoint . For questions, contact: cmph.research@flinders.edu.au. |