Update from the Vice President and Executive Dean 

This week, I have had the privilege of attending the University-wide event called APAC (Annual Planning and Accountability Cycle). During this event, every portfolio and College has had the opportunity to describe key successes and challenges over a 2.5-hour period with constructive questioning by other leaders such as the VC, DVCR, SDVC, and VPCS. It’s a very detailed and comprehensive event. Our APAC session is Friday afternoon, and I thought I would share my summary of our progress.

Overall, thanks to all of you, I think we are making excellent progress on our aspiration to provide even greater positive impact on the communities we serve through transformative education and research. I will expand upon these points in more detail during the November College forum (1pm - 2pm, Tuesday 25 November, HMRB Level 2 Seminar Space or online).

On core matters such as research and education, we continue to grow, as we have done year on year. There has been a consistent increase in student enrolments across most of our courses, with steady increases in the proportion of students who are first in family, and from rural and remote and low SES backgrounds. The 2026 data looks very positive with first preferences and offers substantially. Attrition continues to fall, for both domestic and international students. We don’t have complete data for 2025, but to date our NHMRC income for 2025 is #6 University in the country! Publication quality has improved with 43% in the top 10%, with FWCI of 2.8. 40% of academics at level D/E are women, with 4.5% of staff Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Because of this growth, we are looking to recruit more academic staff into the MD.

There are a large number of successes, including the full activation of HMRB, the launch of the SA rural medical program, the Collaboration Catalyst Program, multiple SA Science Awards (Jamie Craig, FHMRI Sleep team, Voula Gaganis) and AAUT teaching awards (Voula Gaganis and the Anatomy team). The data around research efficiency is remarkable. The ratio of funded fellows to continuing staff 1:3, and there has been a substantial increase in research incomes across all levels, A-E, attesting to our commitment to equity and capacity development. ARC outcomes this year have been strong, and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers are leading the way in category 1 income, with substantial increase in research in R&R, particularly the NT.  

We face a number of challenges/opportunities. There are limits to research efficiency. We are aiming for $100M and we need to attract and retain more researchers. Please do let us know if you have collaborators who would be a great institutional fit. Our rankings do not match our outputs. Thank you to all of you who have invited your international colleagues to contribute to the rankings survey to address this discordance. AMC accreditation has provided us with a number of conditions that will need to be worked through, particularly in relation to diversity, space and strengthening Indigenous leadership. Partnership with health partners remains critical. A number of senior clinicians are retiring after a career of dedicated service, which provides additional opportunities for emerging clinician scientists and educators. Placements of our students in clinical settings are more challenging, and this major risk will need to be mitigated. Our extraordinary impact in health across rural and remote NT and SA should be celebrated, noting that the communities we work with want a broader range of educational opportunities which, as a comprehensive university, we could provide. Educationally, there are also opportunities for expansion for paramedicine in the NT, Flinders Online, and the city campus.

Overall, particularly in the context of what is going on in the University sector, the impact of the College in delivering upon our goal to improve health through education and research is manifestly strong and remains on a positive trajectory. However, the environment we operate in is continuously changing, and so we will need to adapt and grow. As always, it’s an enormous privilege to be part of this, and watch and support your impact.

Have a great weekend.

Congratulations

Celebrating Excellence in Rural and Remote Health Supervision

Congratulations to all winners of the 2025 Flinders Rural and Remote Health NT Supervisor Recognition Awards. Now in their eighth year, these awards recognise the outstanding contributions of health professionals who educate and support learners in their workplaces across the Northern Territory. The ceremony was video-linked across the Territory, connecting Flinders campuses in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and Nhulunbuy to celebrate the achievements of this year’s outstanding supervisors. See 2025 Awardee's

Flinders researchers shine at Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Awards

Congratulations to the Flinders University researchers receiving funding at the 2026 Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Awards. Natalie Stevens won the Frankham-Earl Award for the highest-scoring grant application, and Todd Norton won the CRF Merit Award for the highest-scoring application by an ECR – both are SAHMRI postdoctoral researchers in David Lynn’s group. CMPH researchers Claire Jessup and Jing Jing Wang secured funding for a Type 1 diabetes collaborative project with the SALHN Paediatrics team – a fantastic result that highlights the University’s strength and innovation in paediatric research. Flinders University researchers Marcela Radunz, Ryan Balzan (CEPSW), Gerry Redmond (CBGL) and Mridula Sharma (CNHS) also received funding for projects addressing critical issues in adolescent health, wellbeing, and medical care.

Out and About

Flinders at the 10th Rural & Remote Health Scientific Symposium

It was an inspiring week in Alice Springs for the 10th Rural & Remote Health Scientific Symposium, where leaders, researchers, health professionals, and students from across Australia came together to share ideas and spark new collaborations to strengthen rural and remote healthcare. Flinders Rural & Remote Health NT staff and medical students were proud to be part of the event - presenting, learning, and connecting with others committed to improving health outcomes in rural and remote communities. View the full program

Get to know your College

Meet Ebony Hill: Improving health outcomes for NT communities

Events

• Mon 10 Nov: Science Trade Display Morning Tea (10 - 11:30am, HMRB Level 2 Seminar Space). All Flinders researchers welcome. 
• Thu 13 Nov: Medical Grand Round - (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
• Wed 19 Nov: FHMRI Inspiring Leader Seminar presented by Fiona Blyth (12:30pm)
• Sat 22 Nov: 2025 Triple 0 Charity Ball (Adelaide Oval)
• Tues 25 Nov: College Forum (1pm - 2pm, HMRB Level 2 Seminar Space or online)
• Fri 12 Dec: 2025 College End of Year Celebration and Staff Awards (3pm to 5pm, HMRB Level 2 Seminar rooms)

FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Next session Wednesday 19 November

12:30 (lunch provided), Lvl 2 Seminar Rooms, HMRB. No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation. 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.

• 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)

Email cmph.research@flinders.edu.au to meet with any of the presenters, or nominate a speaker.

Higher Degree by Research Milestone presentations (from 12:30pm Fridays)

Join in the Level 2 Seminar Area, HMRB or online via Teams. See the full November schedule

 The National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation supports innovative areas of biomedical research to help benefit mankind through the prevention or eradication of diseases. Join NFMRI CEO Noel Chambers for an interactive session on philanthropic giving and research translation. Learn about NFMRI’s strategy, grants and processes, and how its approach supports early-stage research to progress from lab to community. The session will also explore ways to bridge the research-to-translation gap and tips for strengthening NFMRI grant applications. Please register or find more information here 

EpiCSA 10th Annual Research Meeting: Thursday 13 November

Open to all professional and academic staff, this event is a great chance to relax and connect with colleagues from across campuses. Register by Monday, 17 November to receive your free snack pack and vouchers. A cash bar will be available, and extra food can be purchased from Hub vendors. For staff at our Northern Territory or Rural and Remote Campuses, stay tuned for an opportunity to celebrate with your local colleagues. Learn more

9am - 5pm, Thursday 4 December, Level 14, Flinders City Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide. This symposium will showcase the breadth and impact of cancer research being conducted by FHMRI. Join a day of networking and engaging presentations from keynote speakers, emerging early- and mid-career research scientists and students presenting the latest insights into cancer research, driving real-world impact for patients and communities.

International Symposium: Human Nervous System Models to Accelerate Clinical Translation (3 - 5 March, Adelaide)

This international meeting features some of the world's most accomplished neuroscientists discussing how we can study and model the human brain in its most intrinsic details, with the goal of accelerating clinical translation in neurology and psychiatry. The event will include two days of curated talks and a one-day workshop to learn hands-on tricks for generating and analysing human brain tissue in vitro, including advanced electrophysiology and drug screens of neural organoid and 2D/3D bioprinted tissue. Learn more or register

Need to know

Safety Reminder: Avoid the Dirt Path through the Pine Forest above HMRB

Any signage would need to be consistent across campus, so we should not expect warnings to be installed in the near term. To stay safe, please take the slightly longer route: either walk past Flinders Living or use the University Drive footpath around the forest. This adds only about five minutes to the usual 10-minute walk from HMRB to HSB/Registry.

Kick start your training for the 2026 SA Discovery Tour with Tour de Cure and Flinders University’s Human Performance, Exercise and Metabolism Lab.

Reminder from MPH Finance: End of Financial Year – Key Dates for 2025

As we approach the end of the financial year, staff are reminded to action key finance tasks before year-end. Some College deadlines differ slightly from Central Finance to allow for early processing and high volumes.

Key Deadlines

• Invoices sent to invoices@flinders.edu.au cc cmph.finance@flinders.edu.au: 28 November 2025
• Reimbursements submitted via Service One: 28 November 2025
• Non-research invoice requests via Service One: 8 December 2025
• Purchase card transactions coded and approved: 19 December 2025
• Journal transfers submitted via Service One: 28 November 2025
• Salary costing changes submitted via Service One: 10 November 2025.

Other important reminders include:

• URB and USF project funds must be used in 2025, there is no carry-forward of unspent funds.
• Goods must be on campus in December, Purchase Orders receipted (where required) by December 12. Open Purchase Orders or goods in transit are not an expense in 2025.  
• Check early that vendors exist by emailing accounts@flinders.edu.au (prior to receiving the invoice) if they do not, commence the Vendor Creation process.
• Essential documentation to facilitate payment includes approvals, account details, ledger code and supporting documentation (eg contracts, receipts, travel and gift card approvals)

For full details and guidance, download the End of Financial Year 2025 Information for CMPH Staff pdf, attend the FMHRI roundtable on November 13, or email   cmph.finance@flinders.edu.au.

Update from P&C: End of Year Leave - Delegated Authority

As staff prepare for end-of-year leave, please remember to set up delegated approvals if needed. This applies to budget and credit card approvals in Service One, and leave or timesheet approvals in Workday. To avoid delays, advise the Service One team of your delegate’s details as soon as possible. This can be done by:

1. Raising a service One Support Request
2. Select "I need to create or modify access" from the drop-down box.
3. In the free text field, identify the delegate who will replace you and the duration.

Delegation can also be updated in Workday using the following instructions to ensure any activities requiring your approval can progress Delegations in Workday. This is particularly important if an employee has any casuals reporting to them that will need timesheets approved. Contact CMPH P&C if you have any questions.

Update from P&C: Recruitment End of Year Processing Timelines

As we approach the end of the year, People & Culture kindly ask that you adhere to the target submission dates outlined in the link below. Doing so will help ensure the college’s workforce requirements are met efficiently and without delay.

Funding Opportunities

• Ian Potter Foundation – Medical Research Grant. Applications open 2 February - 26 March (more information). Attend their information session Wednesday, 12 November 12:30-1:15 (AEDT) Register here. 

  NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) 2026 - Applications close: 19 Nov | GrantConnect

• ARC LE27 – Flinders Internal EOI – If you are intending to apply for the ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment & Facilities 2027, complete and return your internal EOI by 28 Nov | More information 

• The NHMRC  Targeted Call for Research: Homelessness and Health 2025 grant opportunity is now open for applications in Sapphire. Applications are due for submission to the Research Grants office by Dec 3. GrantConnect – GO7994 

• MRFF 2025 Research Data Infrastructure – Deadline: 11 Dec | Up to $2.5m | GrantConnect GO7714

• ARC Discovery Projects Expressions of Interest: NOW OPEN – This is the final round of the current DP scheme and we encourage anyone interested in applying to notify CMPH.research@flinders.edu.au. Please reach out if you have questions or would like to discuss eligibility. Find out more on ResearchLink and Grant Connect.  
  ARC DP EOIs close Friday 12 December.

• MRFF 2025 Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Applications close: 3 Dec | Up to $3m | GrantConnect GO7816

• HCF Translational Research Grants. EOI close 3 Dec | More info here 

• MRFF 2025 Genomics Health Futures Applications close: 4 Feb | Up to $10m | GrantConnect GO7833

• NFMRI General Grant Round (Portfolios 2 & 3) – EOI open 27 Jan. EOI close 27 Mar 2026. Further information 

• MRFF – CTA Initiative – 2025 Clinical Trials Activity Grant Opportunity. Minimum Data: 4 March | Applications Close: 1 April. GrantConnect: GO7923 

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