Update from the Vice President and Executive Dean 

Welcome to 2025! I trust you had a great and restful break. I want to acknowledge the professional and academic staff in areas like finance, people and culture, and student administrative services who had limited time off to keep the College functioning and supporting staff and students.

We are privileged that Richard Edwards has joined us as Head of Public Health. Richard is an internationally recognised academic in the field of tobacco control and was previously Head of Public Health at the University of Otago. Julie Rayner has also joined us as Executive Officer, having worked in the College of EPSW and Corporate Services. Both will make an outstanding contribution.

A priority for us over the next two months is student recruitment. We need to collectively work hard to ensure as many students as possible, who would benefit from our educational offerings, do so. I cannot stress this enough. It is great to see that a new course, Master of Clinical Epidemiology, has been launched led by Murthy Mittinty.

I would strongly encourage you all to attend the College Retreat. It will be held in HMRB and so there will be some constraints on space. Please register early. It is open to all staff. It provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with other staff who you would not normally connect with and to provide input into College plans for 2025.

I read lots of non-fiction books over the break and belatedly discovered Malcolm Gladwell who outlines many principles, laced with examples, of ‘success’ and social epidemics from the disciplines of cognitive and/or organisational psychology. His writings reinforced my views on the criticality of highly performing teams and the characteristics of work that provide meaning for staff – a workplace that provides complexity, autonomy, a connection between effort and reward, and builds things that last and have a social impact. This is what I will be focused on in 2025, to better enable us to deliver our vision of healthy and thriving communities.

Join the 2025 College Retreat: Registrations now open

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.

Congratulations

The College would like to extend congratulations to the following staff who have recently been successful in their expressions of interest (EOIs):

Shannon Macfarlane started as Course Coordinator (Paramedicine) on 1 January 2025, she leads the direction and quality of the paramedicine program. Her role involves shaping the course into one that attracts students and inspires academics, ensuring its continued excellence.

Helen Anscomb took on the role of Chair of the CMPH Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA) on 1 January 2025. With the relaunch of the Academy, Helen will lead efforts to advance educational development and support educators within the College.

Lauren Thurgood From 1 March 2025, Lauren will step into the role of Teaching Program Director (Medical Biosciences). She will collaborate with the Dean (Education) to develop educational initiatives and enhance the student experience while leading learning and teaching improvements across the College.

Flinders CMPH celebrated the End of Year Staff Event in December, recognising outstanding contributions with the annual staff awards. A highlight of the event, these awards celebrated the dedication and achievements of our staff across teaching, research, and professional services. Congratulations to all award recipients for their exceptional work in 2024! We look forward to another year of excellence and innovation in 2025. View the full list of 2024 recipients 

Congratulations to CMPH researchers Raj Shrestha, Georgia Bourlotos, and He Lin on securing Tour de Cure grants!

• Raj Shrestha received an Early Career Grant ($49,977) for research on targeting lipid metabolism in prostate cancer.
• Georgia Bourlotos was awarded a PhD Scholarship ($9,641) to study the bladder microbiome's role in BCG-immunotherapy.
• He Lin received a PhD Scholarship ($10,000) for work on brain cancer-specific circular RNA as therapeutic targets.

Get to know your College

Events

Mark your calendars: College Forums resume in March

Join us either in-person or online for our monthly College Forums! Stay tuned to eNews for updates on topics and presenters. Diary bookings will be shared in the coming weeks. Please note that the February forum has been cancelled. Forums will resume in March:

Flinders Researchers Building Health Apps using no code

11:30am - 2pm, Thursday 6 February, Tonsley campus (5th floor) and Online

Join us to hear how researchers at Flinders University are developing apps using the power of no-code to build apps. Hear what the development teams say about the challenges and their rapid progress. Attend online or in person (limited seating - a light lunch will be served). Arrive at 11:15am for an 11:30am start.

CMPH GIDE Seminar: Seminar on Perimenopause/Menopause (online only)

10:30am - 11:30am, Thursday 13 February, Online via Teams 

Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) Nectar Research Cloud Showcase

11am - 12pm, Monday 24 February, University of Adelaide 

The ARDC invites HDRs, EMCRs, researchers, and research support professionals to attend the Nectar Research Cloud Showcase at The University of Adelaide’s North Terrace Campus. Learn about the advantages of cloud computing, new resources for SA, and real-world use cases. Training and support opportunities will also be covered, along with a Q&A session to connect with the ARDC team. For more information, contact contact@ardc.edu.au.

Unlock the potential of your research with the Research to Value Workshop!

9am - 1:45pm, Tuesday 25 February, Flinders University HMRB, Level 2 Seminar room

Flinders University and Innovation Central Adelaide are hosting CSIRO’s Research to Value workshop on Tuesday, 25 February. This free workshop is perfect for researchers, professional staff, and research teams looking to enhance their innovation and engagement skills. 

• Gain a macro perspective on research engagement and impact.
• Discover your motivations for industry engagement.
• Identify industry-relevant aspects of your research.
• Learn to connect effectively with stakeholders.
• Build confidence in communicating your work.

Delivered by CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program team, this workshop offers tools to transform your research into real-world impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your research!

FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Join us on Wednesday 26 February

12:30pm – 1:45pm, Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building

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 – plus, lunch is provided.

• Wed, Feb 26: David MacIntyre: Reproductive Systems Medicine (University of Adelaide)
• Fri, Mar 21: Nicole Rankin: Evaluation & Implementation Science (University of Melbourne)

Fundraising movie night in the HMRB: Friday 28 February

7:30pm (doors open 6pm), Friday 28 February, Health and Medical Research Building

Expressions of Interest 

Role of Course Coordinator (Clinical Science): Closes Friday 7 February 

MPH is seeking to fill the Course Coordinator, Clinical Science role. We are seeking current staff who meet the necessary qualifications and are committed to delivering excellent education. For further details, please refer to the Role Statement. The EOI application process is below. 

• To apply: Please submit your application to cmph.pc@flinders.edu.au. All applications should be addressed to the Dean of Education, Karen Lower. The subject line should read: "Expression of Interest – Course Coordinator Clinical Science".
• Required documentation: A copy of a current resume. A two-page cover letter, addressing the Key Position Capabilities that outlines your suitability for the role. The name of one verbal referee.   

Submit your EOI via email no later than 5pm Friday 7 February. If you require any further assistance contact MPH People & Culture at cmph.pc@flinders.edu.au

Would you like to contribute to research leadership in the College?

Following a university-wide governance review, the CMPH College Research Committee is undergoing some modifications in membership. The CRC is now seeking expressions of interest for members representing the following researcher groups within CMPH:

1. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher.
2. Early Career Researcher, defined as within 5 years post-PhD, taking career disruptions into account.
3. Higher Degree by Research student.
4. A researcher based at a Rural and Remote Health campus (ie, outside Bedford Park). EOIs from the NT are strongly encouraged.

Applicants must be currently research active. The CRC meets quarterly and the term of these Appointed seats will be 12 months with possibility of renewal. To submit an EOI (subject: College Research Committee EOI” by 31 January 2025), or information about these opportunities email cmph.deanresearch@flinders.edu.au. Please include a 2-page CV and a statement including which researcher group you are representing and statement of interest up to 50 words.

Australian Research Council (ARC) Advisory Committee recruitment now open

Join the Consumer and Community Steering Group at FHMRI

FHMRI is seeking researchers to join our Consumer and Community Steering Group (CCSG). This dynamic group plays a pivotal role in shaping our approach to embedding consumer and community involvement in health and medical research. They're seeking researchers with experience working alongside consumers in research settings. Your insights and expertise will contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of annual plans that prioritise meaningful consumer and community engagement across FHMRI’s research activities.

If you're passionate about embedding consumer and community voices in research, please express your interest. The Group will meet formally twice a year and participate in various Consumer & Community Involvement activities throughout the year. For more information contact consumers@flinders.edu.au.

Need to know

FHMRI PhD Scholarships – Apply before Friday 31 January

FHMRI PhD Scholarships are now open! The FHMRI PhD Scholarship Program provides eligible students with a one-year scholarship to support the initiation of a PhD in the College of Medicine and Public Health, with primary PhD supervision by a member of CMPH staff. Up to four PhD Scholarships will normally be offered each year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and rural and remote students in CMPH are encouraged to apply. Each scholarship will provide a stipend for one year of Flinders University award of $33,990. Guidelines and application instructions here. Applications close Friday 31 January.

CMPH Space Governance Framework

Managing space allocation across the College’s multiple sites is a complex process that requires consistent and equitable decision-making. To support this, the College Executive Team has endorsed a new governance framework aligned with University Space Guidelines. All CMPH space requests must now be submitted via Service One. Requests will be assessed as follows:

• Bedford Park campus (FMC and FCIC): CMPH Metropolitan Space Sub-committee
• Rural & Remote sites: CMPH Rural & Remote Space Sub-committee (embedded within the RRH Executive Committee)
• SALHN staff: Directed to Wayne Gadd, Executive Director, Infrastructure and Digital, SALHN

For queries, contact Lorraine Karunaratne, Director of College Services.

WHS Promotions 2025 Number 1, Work Health and Safety & Injury Management System Framework

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all staff, students, and visitors. Our Work Health and Safety & Injury Management (WHS&IM) System Framework follows industry standards, including AS/NZ 4804:2001 and the Return-to-Work SA Code of Conduct. Key Points:

• Everyone has a role in promoting safety by protecting their own and others' health, complying with policies, and following safety instructions.
• Specific WHS responsibilities are outlined for all roles, from university officers to students and visitors.
• Managers and supervisors are encouraged to complete WHS Online Training to enhance their understanding.

For further details, refer to the full update below or visit the WHS website.

Funding opportunity: CSL Research Acceleration Initiative

With up to US$400K available over two years for projects aimed at translation, applications are now open and will close on 20 February 2025. The application process involves submitting a 300-word non-confidential abstract for the EOI. Information sessions for researchers will be held on 22 January (12:30 pm) and 6 February (12:30 pm). Areas of interest include:

If you plan to apply, please get in touch with cmph.research@flinders.edu.au and ellen.czabania@flinders.edu.au.

Applications are now open for the Graduate Women SA Trust Scholarships, supporting postgraduate students in South Australia.

• Doctoral Scholarship: (4 x $6,000). Open to women pursuing a PhD or professional doctorate, having completed 18 months of study by March 2025.
• Masters Scholarship:  (2 x $3,000). Open to women pursuing a Master's by research or with a thesis component, having completed six months of study by March 2025.

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, not in full-time paid work or on fully paid leave, and cannot have received a scholarship in the same category in 2024. Application Requirements: Include academic records, financial need evidence, a CV, referees’ comments, enrolment proof, and proposed expense details. Apply by 31 March 2025 via email to info@gwsa-trust.com.au. For more details and forms, visit gwsa-trust.com.au.

Science Comedy Program – Adelaide Fringe Festival

Science and medical professionals are invited to join the Science Comedy Program, part of the Fringe Festival (23 Feb–6 Mar). This 8-workshop series teaches comedy and storytelling techniques, culminating in a live 10-minute talk that’s 80% humour and 20% science.

Contribute to your eNews

Submit your stories to cmph.marcomms@flinders.edu.au for consideration for the weekly eNews. Tell us about whats happening in your area so we can help make you visible.

To reduce email traffic and avoid duplication, the eNews continues to develop as the source for College-wide information about achievements, awards and events. It is the preferred communication medium over email distribution lists. View the eNews guidelines and framework