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Update from the Teaching Program Director (Clinical)
Last week’s College Retreat was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on our progress, share innovative ideas, and strengthen collaboration across our teaching and learning teams. A key highlight was a presentation by Michelle Picard, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching Innovation), on the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL), emphasising the importance of research-informed teaching practices. The University-wide SoTL Symposium coming up 14-16 April, will be a great opportunity to develop SoTL skills, please register to attend one of the many sessions being offered in person and online.
Michal Wozniak and I presented on the breadth of consumer engagement across the College, highlighting the critical role of collaboration and inclusion in course development and delivery. We discussed how engaging consumers at all stages—from curriculum design to implementation and evaluation—ensures that our courses remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve. A continued commitment to this approach is essential for advancing our programs and fostering meaningful learning experiences.
The retreat also provided a valuable forum for capacity-building discussions within our teaching teams, particularly in collaboration with colleagues from the Northern Territory and regional areas. Conversations focused on strengthening teaching practices and professional development pathways, including the Advance HE Fellowship framework. This structured approach supports educators in reflecting on their teaching practice and achieving formal recognition. Congratulations to MPH colleagues who have received their Advance HE Fellowship or Senior Fellowship this year. For more information on current Advance HE Fellows at Flinders.
Teaching Program Director (Clinical), Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Medical Science (Laboratory Medicine), College of Medicine and Public Health
Reminder: CMPH Forum (1pm - 2pm, Monday 8 April in the HMRB and online)
Join us for the upcoming CMPH Forum on Monday, 8 April, in the HMRB Seminar Space. The Flinders Sustainability Team will present the 2030 Flinders University Sustainability Strategy and Waste Management Plan, followed by reflections on the recent College Retreat from Lara Escane, Nayia Cominos, and Hanna Krysinska. We’ll also celebrate our Quiet Achiever Awards. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and contribute to Flinders' sustainable future! Watch the livestream
Congratulations
The College congratulates the following recipients on their travel support awards from Round 1 of the CMPH Travel Schemes.
Domestic Travel Scheme
- Helen Anscomb, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Megan Bailey, Franklin Women Inclusive Leadership Mentoring Program, Canberra
- Christine Barry, Pain Society, Melbourne
- Ashlea Bartram, Preventative Health, Canberra
- Nayio Cominos, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Celina Gaweda, Lowitja, Adelaide
- Emma Kemp, Cancer Survivorship, Melbourne
- Gillian Kette, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Svetlana King, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Diana Mosca, Lowitja, Adelaide
- Inta Rudaks, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Nisha Samuel, HR Law Masterclass Conference, Sydney
- Fiona Smith, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Cameron Stokes, Lowitja, Adelaide
- Nyoli Valentine, ANZAHPE, Perth
- Vanya Webster, Lowitja, Adelaide
Overseas Travel Scheme
- Jacqueline Bowden, KBS for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol, Scotland
- Bryce Brickley, IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion, Abu Dhabi
- Richard Bright, BIOMETENG Summit, Singapore
- Kim Hemsley, World 2025, USA
- Yohannes Melaku, Society for Epidemiological Research, USA
- Joshua Trigg, Society for Research on Nicotine & Tabacco, USA
FHMRI EMCR Research Conference Support Grants
- Karissa Barthelson, Aust & New Zealand Zebrafish Meeting, Dixons Creek
- Jackie Roseleur, Health Economics Assoc, Bali
Anya Arthurs (left) with Claire Roberts
Congratulations to Anya Arthurs for receiving the New Investigator (Poster) Award – Discovery Science at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) Annual Congress. A Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Pregnancy, Health and Beyond Laboratory, Anya investigates how circular RNAs and other non-coding RNAs influence placental development and pregnancy complications. Her award-winning poster explored the use of circRNAs as indicators of placental ageing and their potential role in unexplained stillbirth.
Out and About
On Monday 31 March, the SA Rural Medical Program (SARM) was officially launched in Renmark with more than 100 attendees, including local mayors, representatives from Riverland Mallee Coorong, SA Ambulance Service, schools, GP clinics, community members, MPH and local staff as well as the stars of the day, our students. Read the full event recap
Flinders HealthCARE Centre: A Major Investment in South Adelaide’s Health Future
Flinders University is set to transform healthcare in southern Adelaide with the new Flinders HealthCARE Centre, a $300 million state-of-the-art facility within the Flinders Health Precinct. With $150 million from the Federal Government, matched by Flinders University, the 10-storey centre will provide 10,000 health appointments annually and produce an additional 1,300 healthcare graduates each year across nursing, allied health, paramedicine, and more.
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction MRFF Co-Design Workshops
NCETA’s Power of the Parents project is making great progress, with four co-design workshops completed in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin. These workshops are helping shape health communications that discourage parents from supplying alcohol to teens. The final session will be held in Murray Bridge in early April. The team is thankful to the parents, adolescents, facilitators, researchers, and policymakers who have contributed. Their insights are key to developing messaging that empowers parents to support healthy choices around alcohol.
(Adelaide workshop L-R: Emma Portolesi, Saran Chamberlain, Ashlea Bartram, Jacquie Bowden, Svetlana Bogomolova and Christina Norris)
Get to Know Your College
Get to know your College: Aldona Brewster
Aldona’s journey at Flinders has taken her from Arnhem Land to Victor Harbor, supporting rural and remote education along the way. With a diverse career background and a passion for hands-on learning, she shares how these experiences have shaped her work and outlook.
Events
Medical Grand Round: Thursday 10 April
12:30 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Level 5, FMC or online (A light lunch will be available from 12.15pm)
“Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute: what can we offer clinicians?’ Turning ideas into winning grants, accessing new facilities and resources, getting involved with collaboration and much more!. Presented by Alan Wigg, Rui Hoo, Billie Bonevski, Rebecca Keough, and Damien Keating.
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: next seminar Wednesday 16 April
12:30pm (lunch provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building. No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation
- Wed 16 Apr: Lachlan Smith - Orthopaedic research (University of Pennsylvania). Dr Smith’s work focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of degenerative and developmental disorders affecting the spine and synovial joints. His research bridges the fields of tissue engineering, biomaterials, drug delivery and stem cells.
- Tue 1 Jul: Lezanne Ooi - Neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration (University of Wollongong)
- Mon 28 Jul: Peter van Wijngaarden - Ophthalmic neuroscience (Florey Institute)
- Wed 19 Nov: Fiona Blyth - Public health & pain epidemiology (University of Sydney)
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.
Join the 2025 NCETA Symposium (Thursday 15 May)
10am to 4pm, Seminar Room 1, Level 2, HMRB or via zoom (details provided after registration)
Join NCETA for a full-day symposium on Thursday, 15 May 2025, at Flinders University (or online). The morning session will focus on workforce development, while the afternoon will highlight key research in alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other drugs, featuring keynote speakers. Register your attendance
Save the Date – 2025 RAP Conference. Full schedule of events coming soon!
Need to know
CMPH Travel Schemes - Round 2 applications now being accepted
The College is now accepting travel applications for academic and professional staff travelling between August 2025 – January 2026.
Support is available for domestic and international travel for conferences and professional development opportunities. Full details of the schemes and links to the online applications can be found on the CMPH Funding page. Closing deadline for Round 2 applications is 5pm, Friday 27 June. Please forward any enquiries to cmph.operations@flinders.edu.au
GIDE mentoring for CMPH staff seeking academic promotion
The CMPH Gender Inclusion Diversity and Equity (GIDE) committee is offering a targeted Academic Promotion support scheme for people who identify as women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, staff with disability, staff from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and LGBTIQA+ staff. GIDE are also particularly keen to support people with these backgrounds who work in Rural and Remote parts of the College. Academic Promotions applications for 2025 will be invited from Monday 31 March.
Please contact jingjing.wang@flinders.edu.au and janni.petersen@flinders.edu.au by Monday 21 April if you are interested in receiving support and advice on your application.
Upcoming Email Security Update: To enhance security, the university will implement email protection changes from 14–17 April 2025. After this update, Microsoft Defender will scan links in emails for safety. While this helps reduce phishing risks, please stay cautious when clicking links or opening attachments. Learn more
Flinders staff can receive a free 2025 quadrivalent influenza vaccination, thanks to Bupa. If you wish to register for an an Onsite appointment or Pharmacy voucher. Staff may book one option only, and places are limited. Book now to stay healthy this winter!
The End-of-Life Essentials project: Communication Masterclass webinar for healthcare professionals
Led by Flinders' Kim Devery, the expert panel shared valuable strategies for navigating challenging healthcare conversations. Featuring Melissa Bruno, David Holden, and Sara Fleming, the session provided practical insights for professionals across the sector. The webinar is now available as a valuable teaching resource: Watch here.
Targeted Grant Support for Early Career Researchers
FHMRI-RED is offering a workshop series to help ECRs (within five years of PhD completion) and final-year HDR candidates craft grant applications. The program covers:
Crafting an effective scientific narrative
Visual design principles in science
Creating impactful graphs
Participants will have the opportunity to submit a one-page grant proposal for feedback from a senior CMPH research mentor. Limited places available—supervisor approval required. Online participation is welcome for those outside of Adelaide. Find more information and registerhere
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John Chalmers Travel Fellowship for Early Career Academics – 2025 applications are now being accepted. The John Chalmers Travel Fellowships support early career academics to attend a national or international conference to advance their professional standing in their chosen health and medical research or education field. Two grants of $1500 for international travel and two grants of $500 for domestic travel are available for staff this year. Applications can be submitted online and close 5pm Friday 25 April. |
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David and Margaret Wattchow Research Travel Fund – 2025 applications are now being accepted. The David and Margaret Wattchow Research Travel Fund supports Higher Degree or Early-Mid Career Researchers to obtain skills and knowledge that will directly benefit neuroscience research in the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI). This year $2000 is on offer to bring back new knowledge or techniques to FHMRI. Applications can be submitted online and close 5pm Friday 25 April |