Update from the Dean of Education

I am delighted to announce the recipients of the following awards in teaching excellence and innovation for 2025, which recognise outstanding contributions to educational excellence and strategic impact.

I would also like to announce the recipients of the Vice-President and Executive Dean’s Innovation in Teaching Awards. Firstly, Cheryl Schelbach (pictured on the far left below), Topic Coordinator in Public Health, has been recognised for her forward-thinking approach to teaching chatbot literacies through problem-based learning. Her work integrates contemporary educational research and authentic assessment practices to prepare students for future-oriented challenges.

Joining Cheryl as joint awardees are Lara Escane, Voula Gaganis and Lauren Thurgood, who are part of the Medical Science Laboratory Medicine Team. This award recognises their collaborative initiative in enhancing student placement-readiness through flexible, industry-aligned training, supporting both student outcomes and staff development.

Please join me in celebrating these exceptional educators whose work continues to shape the future of teaching and learning in our College.

Congratulations

3 Minute Thesis winners to represent CMPH in University Semi-Final

Last Wednesday, CMPH and CNHS held a combined 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®) heat. The competition challenges PhD students to present their research in three minutes with one PowerPoint slide. Congratulations to Luka Ilic, winner with “Magic, microbes and the immune system,” and Stefano Zaccagnini, runner-up with “Alcohol: Beyond the empty glass”. They will represent CMPH at the University Semi-Final on August 14 and, if successful, advance to the University Final on August 29. A special thanks to the judges, Charlotte Toomes, Anthony Khoo and Gianluca Di Censo.

Out and About

Celebrating Impact: 2025 MPH Appreciation Afternoon Tea

On Thursday 24 July, over 100 guests gathered in the HMRB for the MPH Appreciation Afternoon Tea, celebrating the donors, bequestors, scholarship supporters and alumni who make a lasting difference to education and research at Flinders. Highlights included powerful speeches from students Kayla Vitale and Luke Grundy on the impact of scholarships, insights from Courtney Ryder on culturally safe education, and a moving reflection on the Heaslip legacy by current Fellow Collette Green. The event concluded with thanks from the Vice-President and Executive Dean Jonathan Craig, acknowledging the enduring value of community support. See the full recap on the MPH blog

MPH showcases health degrees at Open Days (Bedford Park and City Campus)

A big thank you to all staff and student ambassadors who contributed to a fantastic three days of Open Days across Bedford Park and the City Campus. Your energy and support helped showcase the best of MPH to prospective students and their families. Information sessions for our disciplines were well attended, with Paramedicine topping the charts at Bedford Park across both Friday and Saturday. Medicine, Medical Science, and Public Health also drew strong interest, with engaged audiences keen to learn more about study pathways and career opportunities in health. We look forward to continuing the momentum at Riverland Open Day event on Tuesday 5 August.

It was wonderful to see staff from our embedded CMPH professional services teams come together for some festive fun and friendly competition at this week’s ‘Christmas in July’ catch-up. The event was a great chance to connect across teams, show off some cheerful Christmas jumpers, and test our festive knowledge – with a surprise visit from Santa himself! Congratulations to our Christmas Quiz winners, Carine and Sharmaine, and to all our Christmas Bingo winners. Thank you to everyone who helped plan and set up the event, and to all who joined in to support our fun and welcoming College culture.

Events

• Thurs 7 August: Medical Grand Round (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
• Thurs 14 August: Stronger Together: Building Collective Resilience
• Thurs 28 August: FHMRI's Road to Research (Register for a stall here)

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

In the Level 2 Seminar Area, Health and Medical Research Building, or online via Teams. Join the next presentations on Friday 8 August:

• Andrew Partington - ‘Early economic evaluation for the development and management of health services: an example from an Australian hospital network’
• Borislav Stoilov - ‘Scaffolds as an Approach for Skin Ulcers Treatment’

Stronger Together: Building Collective Resilience (Thursday 14 August)

Higher Education Research Group Adelaide (HERGA) Conference: Register now

FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Next seminar September

12:30 (lunch provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building. No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation. Open to all disciplines, these seminars offer valuable insights for everyone. Nominate a speaker

• Mon 1 Sep: Grace Lidgerwood – Stem cell disease modelling (University of Melbourne)
• 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)

Need to know

The Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation - Rebecca Cooper Fellowship. The award of The Rebecca Cooper Fellowship provides a salary component of $220,000 per annum (exclusive of GST) and a Research Support Package (“RSP”) of $80,000 per annum (exclusive of GST), for a period of five years commencing 1 January 2026. Successful applicants must commit minimum 0.8 Full Time Equivalent to the Fellowship. Eligible areas of medical research: 

For more information about eligibility and application guidelines please visit refer to the 2026 Rebecca Cooper Fellowship Application Guidelines. Internal close: 15 August.  

Help Shape Flinders’ Next RAP – Online Consultation Session 11 August

Flinders has officially wrapped up its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, marking four years of progress in embedding cultural understanding and strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Highlights include the launch of key Indigenous strategies, the Elders on Campus Framework, and over $1 million in scholarships awarded. The University now look ahead to our Stretch RAP, launching in May 2026. Staff are invited to help shape the next phase by attending a Consultation Session on Monday, 11 August, 3:30–5pm (Online). For regional sessions, contact reconciliation@flinders.edu.au.

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