Update from the Dean of Education

As we return from the mid-semester break, the end of the year is looming near. We are about to embark on one of the busiest times of the year both in education and broadly across the College, one which wouldn’t be possible without the support of and dynamic partnership between academic and professional staff alike. I was reminded of this recently at an Education Roundtable which was delivered by Nalini Klopp and Anthony De Conno from the Career Readiness Group. This presentation reminded me that professional staff play a vital role in enabling academic excellence, and their often behind-the-scenes contributions ensure that our teaching and learning environments run smoothly, innovatively, and inclusively.

It’s a reminder that excellence in education is a shared achievement.

I am looking forward to the upcoming Education Strategy Day to be held in Marion on November 20. I hope that many of you who are involved in education in the College are able to attend what will be an interactive, informative and entertaining day. During the day we will be finalising the College’s Education Strategy and relaunching the Education Capacity Building Scheme, amongst other sessions related to education across the college.

Finally, as we approach the end of the year, it is also a time for recognition; I would like to encourage all staff to take a moment to reflect on the outstanding contributions that your colleagues and students have made during the year, and ask that you take the time to nominate those who inspire, innovate, and lead in the College. Your nominations help us celebrate those who are making a lasting impact in education, research and service to the College. You can find information on the College awards here – please do take the time to nominate a deserving colleague or student.

2025 CMPH Staff Awards: Nominate before 5pm, Friday 31 October

Opportunities to recognise achievement, celebrate our staff, reward service and showcase excellence remain a highlight of our College end-of-year celebrations. Nominations are now open for the 2025 College Awards. In each category, all nominations will be considered relative to opportunity. A sub-committee of the College Executive and representatives from across the College will assess nominations. (Please note: self-nominations are only permitted for the Consumer and Community Engagement Award):

Congratulations

Congratulations to our FHMRI Cancer Impact EMCR Seeding Grant Recipients. We’re delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 FHMRI Cancer Impact Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Seeding Grants.

These grants support innovative cancer research projects that have the potential to make a meaningful impact on diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.

Academic Promotions: Congratulations to CMPH staff 

Let’s extend our congratulations to the MPH staff who have recently been notified that their applications for academic promotion to level C were successful. Promotions explicitly acknowledge sustained excellence in teaching, research and service. Well done to all:

Congratulations to all winners at the NT Mental Health Week Awards, hosted by the NT Mental Health Coalition. Flinders University and the NT Lived Experience Network received the Integration and Collaborative Practice Award, recognising the long-term research partnership between Dr Noemi Tari-Keresztes and Noelene Armstrong. Mamulbak was honoured with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award, celebrating work led by Kootsy Canuto and his team, including Cam Stokes, Dr Bryce Brickley, and medical student Mick Heelan.

Out and About

HERGA Conference celebrates innovation in higher education

Flinders University recently hosted the annual HERGA Conference, bringing together educators and researchers from across South Australia to explore the theme Innovation & Transformation in Higher Education. The College of Medicine and Public Health proudly sponsored the event, with staff contributing 14 presentations and several session chairs, showcasing innovative and research-informed teaching practices. Voula Gaganis and Liu-fei Tan extend their heartfelt thanks to all CMPH staff who chaired, presented, and attended the event - your engagement and contributions were deeply appreciated and helped make the conference a truly memorable experience. To view the presenters’ abstracts, visit the HERGA 2025 Conference Booklet. Read more on the MPH Blog

A record-breaking session in Alice hailed by students. In September, the Alice Springs team hosted a record-breaking Student Networking and Inter-Professional Session (SNIPS) with 28 students from seven universities attending. The session focused on Culture Care Connect, an Aboriginal-led suicide prevention and postvention program delivered by the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. Facilitator Alice Campbell-Jones and her team shared how they bridge clinical practice with cultural knowledge to deliver effective mental health care in remote communities. Students described the session as insightful and practical, highlighting how it reshaped their understanding of culturally responsive care. Read more

Expressions of Interest

Flinders University Researcher Mentoring Program 2026 – Call for Applications

Australian Research Council Discovery Projects 2027 (DP27) - Expression of Interest 
ARC Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2027 will open in RMS on 3rd November 2025. Please note the Discovery Projects scheme has a two stage application process, commencing with an Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by invitation only for full applications. The successful applicant will receive Project funding between $30,000 and $500,000 per year for up to five consecutive years. More Information 

Events

• Thu 23 Oct: Medical Grand Round - (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
• Thu 23 Oct: In conversation: Open Access, AI, & who owns our knowledge? 10 - 11:30am, Alere North, Bedford Park (or online). 
• 23 - 24 Oct: Australasian Society of Autonomic Neuroscience (ASAN) 2025 meeting
• Mon 27 Oct: Book Launch: Mental and Physical Health Dimensions (12pm, Online via Zoom (password: 547524))
• Wed 29 Oct: FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar series w. Laura Downie (University of Melbourne) 12:30pm, Lvl 2 Seminar rooms, HMRB
• Sat 22 Nov: 2025 Triple 0 Charity Ball (Adelaide Oval)

Complete the short form and submit a 150 word abstract of your collaborative research. Projects can be of any study design, and at any stage – development, in progress, complete. Early and mid-career researchers and Higher Degree by Research students are particularly encouraged to present their work. Submit an abstract before October 20. 

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

LT 1.09 Health Sciences Building, or online viaTeams. See the full October schedule 

Contact Jean winter jean.winter@flinders.edu.au to schedule a meeting with the speaker.

Get involved: upcoming research events and opportunities

Flinders researchers are invited to join a series of upcoming sessions supporting research capability, collaboration, and industry engagement.

University–Industry Partnerships Panel Discussion: 1:30pm - 3pm, Tue 21 Oct
Explore successful university–industry collaborations with insights from industry partners, academics, and a PhD Industry Supervisor. Enrol here

CUREator Funding Round – Information and Panel Session: 9am - 10am, Tue 28 Oct
Hear from CUREator awardees and IRC members about funding opportunities and research translation, followed by a catered networking session. SAHMRI Auditorium, 2 North Tce. RSVP here | Book a 1:1 meeting

Research FastStart Induction Program: 9am - 4pm, Thu 13 Nov
A one-day induction for new and returning Flinders researchers to learn about research services, processes, and connections. Enrol here

The program features oral presentations from leading neuroscientists worldwide, exploring how the nervous system controls organs such as the heart, gut, bladder, and brain. A conference dinner will be held at Luciano’s on the Marina, Glenelg. Register now or contact Nick Spencer (Nicholas.spencer@flinders.edu.au) for further details. 

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.

Need to know

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.

Reminder from P&C: Bulk leave booking for Academic staff (not casuals)

Annual Leave of 20 days (pro rata for part-time) will be automatically booked for Academic staff to take effect from Tuesday, 30 December 2025, as per clause 30.3 of the Enterprise Agreement.

Reversal of block booked annual leave will not be considered for any staff member who has an annual leave balance exceeding 294 hours. Visit the End of Year Closure webpage. 

Reminder: Summer Research Scholarships for high achieving undergraduates

Funding Opportunities

• 2025 FHMRI Kickstart Grant Program – The FHMRI Kickstart Grant Program is now open to support early‑career researchers across the Flinders footprint (SA and NT) to build their research and track records. Applications should be submitted to CMPH Research by 5pm, 30 October. Guidelines + application

• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Grant Support – Infection diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, kidney diseases, neuroscience, oncology, ophthalmology, respiratory and women’s health. On a rolling basis. | More information

• Ignacio H. de Larramendi Research Grants: Health Promotion – Applications close: 20 Oct | More information 

• NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies - Applications close: 5 Nov| Learn more

• 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 November | More information 

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

• ARC Discovery Projects 2027 EOI – Applications close 12 December. Further information 

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

• 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 - The MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative strengthens clinical care evidence, improves patient access to relevant trials, and supports international research in Australia. Minimum Data: 4 March | Applications Close: 1 April. GrantConnect: GO7923 

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