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Update from the Dean of People and Resources
It has been a lively and productive week across the College. Yesterday’s CMPH Education Strategy Day at the Marion Club brought together more than 80 staff, building strong momentum as we shape the next stage of our education priorities to support student success. The sessions highlighted opportunities for capacity development and showcased the dedication of our educators as we set the platform for the College’s strategic direction.
I am also pleased to share updates on our enhanced CMPH New Staff Onboarding Experience, which is designed to ensure that every new colleague feels supported and confident from their first day. The refreshed approach offers clearer guidance for supervisors, practical tools and resources, updated webpages with centralised information, and new quarterly onboarding sessions to help staff settle in and connect with the College. If you have questions or suggestions, please get in touch with the Dean of People and Resources at cmph.deanPR@flinders.edu.au.
As the year draws to a close, I hope to see many of you at our College gathering on Friday 12 December, where we’ll recognise our shared achievements and spend time together before the summer break.
Thank you for your valuable contributions throughout another remarkable year. We hope you find time to rest and recharge over the festive season.
Dean (People and Resources) & Interim Dean of Medicine, College of Medicine and Public Health
Join the 2025 College End of Year Celebration and Staff Awards. 3pm to 5pm on Friday 12 December in the Level 2 Seminar rooms (HMRB). Whether you’ve contributed to groundbreaking research, supported our students, or worked behind the scenes, this is our chance to celebrate all we’ve accomplished and look forward to an exciting 2026. Enjoy food, drinks, music, and awards as we toast another productive year.
Congratulations
Recognition for Excellence in Rural Kidney Health Research. Congratulations to Jaqui Hughes and Sian Graham, who were awarded Best Abstract at this year’s Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology conference. Their work also received the Rural Science Award, acknowledging research that supports improved kidney health outcomes for rural and remote communities.
Out and About
3-way communication – Desert Mob style. Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) staff joined a yarning circle led by Ken Lechleiter and Patrick Torres from the Aboriginal Engagement and Strategy Unit, in partnership with the ASH Resident Medical Officer Society and NT Regional Training Hub. The session focused on culturally aware communication, active listening, and narrative therapy to improve patient care and outcomes. Staff valued the insights and expressed interest in future yarning circles. Read the full item here
HDR Community of Practice: Building resilience through holistic thinking
The HDR Community of Practice hosted an afternoon session last week in the HMRB Red Hub, featuring Leigh Burrows from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
The session explored how holistic, right-brain approaches can support resilience throughout the research journey. Participants took part in a mindfulness activity using collage mandalas, designed to encourage reflection and grounded thinking during demanding periods of study. The event concluded with informal socialising, providing space for HDR students to connect and share experiences.
Mt Gambier South Australia Rural Medical (SARM) Program students captured a striking view of the Aurora Australis last week, resulting in an impressive photograph.
Get to know your College
Laboratory Medicine and the Science of Saving Lives: Farzana’s story
Farzana’s passion for laboratory medicine began early, shaped by a formative experience that revealed the vital role clinical scientists play in patient care. Now studying microbiology and infectious diseases at Flinders, she’s building the skills and confidence to pursue her goal of becoming a clinical scientist. Her full story offers insight into the experiences that have shaped her pathway and the impact of supportive learning environments on student growth. Read more
Expressions of Interest
Are you social media savvy?
FHMRI is looking for an ECR, HDR candidate or professional staff member to create engaging posts on our LinkedIn channel to promote the events and exciting work being done at FHMRI. This is a voluntary role with a low time commitment that would look great on your CV. Contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au by 5pm Friday 28 November telling us why you are interested in the role and any experience that you have. For further information, contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
EOI: Manager, Clinician Support (Leave Cover) February - April 2026
Are you an experienced or developing leader, keen to work more closely with our MD Clinicians and support the teaching of tomorrow’s doctors? The Clinician Support Team is offering a fantastic short-term opportunity to step into the Manager, Clinician Support role.
Dates: 16 February – 10 April 2026 (includes 6 weeks of leave cover + 2 weeks of handover). This 8-week engagement is perfect for an experienced leader looking to broader their scope, or a developing leader seeking an opportunity to lead a team passionate about clinician engagement and academic collaboration. You’ll be supporting the clinicians who teach into our Medical Program — a great chance to build relationships and gain leadership experience.
Please submit an EOI outlining your interest and experience to lorraine.karunaratne@flinders.edu.au by 5pm, Friday 12 December. For more details or a discussion about the role, contact ellen.giles@flinders.edu.au
NHMRC Investigator Bootcamp: Expressions of Interest Open
Flinders researchers planning to apply for an NHMRC Investigator Grant in 2026 are invited to join the NHMRC Investigator Bootcamp. The structured program begins in mid-February 2026 and supports applicants through to the grant round in July. Places are limited and prioritised for those applying in the upcoming round. To submit an expression of interest, visit the Bootcamp webpage. Applications close at COB Friday 12 December, with participants to be notified in early January 2026.
Events
- Sat 22 Nov: 2025 Triple 0 Charity Ball (Adelaide Oval)
- Mon 24 Nov: Discover the Future of Synthetic Biology – Public Talk at Flinders University (7 - 8pm, Alere Function Room, Bedford Park)
- Tue 25 Nov: CMPH Forum - State of the College (1pm - 2pm, Lvl 2 HMRB or online)
- Thu 27 Nov: Medical Grand Round - (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
- Wed 3 Dec: CMPH ECR Community of Practice "Science in the Pub" (4pm, Flinders Tav)
- 3 - 5 Mar: International Symposium: Human Nervous System Models to Accelerate Clinical Translation (Learn more or register)
Share your thoughts on Flinders' new brand campaign. Join the launch of the next chapter of Fearless as the new campaign, They Say, We Say, is unveiled at The Exchange, Bedford Park campus (8:30am - 4pm, Friday 21 November). Explore the creative thinking behind the work through a brief, interactive showcase. The first 100 staff to visit will receive free brand merch. Share your feedback by scanning the QR code at the event and enter the draw for a double pass to the BBL Strikers match on 6 January 2026.
CMPH Biosciences Seminar: November 25
9:30am - 10:30am, Lvl 2 Seminar space, HMRB (in-person only). "‘Decoding Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Diseases’" Presented by Tom Gordon and Jing Jing Wang (Autoimmune Research Group).
Higher Degree by Research Milestone presentations (Friday 28 November)
Join from 12:30pm in the Level 2 Seminar Area, HMRB or online via Teams. See the full November schedule
Dylan Slater: Work related Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: defining what is a work focused approach to CBT and if it leads to return to work
Athena Chin: Clonal Haematopoiesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Seminar: Smart Foragers – How Do Bees Shop for Pollen?
1 pm, Tuesday 2 December, HMRB, Level 2 Seminar Area
Join international speaker Beth Nicholls (University of Sussex) for a seminar on how bees make foraging decisions and the cues that guide their flower choices. Understanding these behaviours is key to supporting pollinator health and sustainable crop pollination. Beth is a senior research fellow specialising in insect behaviour and pollinator ecology, combining lab and field research to explore the sensory, cognitive, and energetic drivers of pollinator foraging. Contact Karin to learn more or meet with Beth.
Cancer Impact Seminar Series: Update on SACCaN (Wednesday 3 December)
Join Michael Osborn, Chief Cancer Officer of the South Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network (SACCaN), on Wednesday 3 December 2025, 11:30 am–12:30 pm in the HMRB Level 2 Seminar Space. He will share progress on SACCaN’s current priorities and projects, including improving cancer care and supporting children, adolescents, and young adults with leukaemia. A post-presentation lunch and networking session will follow.
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar: Thomas Cox (Monday 8 December)
No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation. Join FHMRI Inspiring Leader Seminars to hear research leaders share their career journeys and research highlights.
Join Thomas Cox – Matrix and metastasis (Garvin Institute of Medical Research) from 12pm (lunch provided), at Level 2 Seminar Rooms, HMRB. Open to all disciplines, these seminars offer valuable insights for everyone. Email cmph.research@flinders.edu.au to meet with any of the presenters, or nominate a speaker.
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.
Need to know
Renew or Join Healthy Development Adelaide Membership
Renew your Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) membership or join for the first time and enjoy benefits including CPD certificates, access to awards and grants, networking opportunities, and the chance to contribute your expertise to support the health and development of children and adolescents. Membership is $30 for one year (to 31/12/26) or $60 for three years (to 31/12/28). Join or renew here
College Webpage Updates. You may have noticed recent improvements across our College webpages as we continue refreshing content, streamlining navigation, and adding new resources. These updates aim to make key information easier to find and more useful for staff, students, and visitors. Further refinements are planned over the coming weeks. If you have feedback or suggestions that could help enhance the site, please contact cmph.operations@flinders.edu.au
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. Requests to cancel this leave must be made due to extenuating circumstances and in accordance with operational needs. Staff should discuss such requests with their supervisors in the first instance and if supported, action agreed leave cancellation via Workday. Once the supervisor approves leave cancellation, staff are required to book a new period of annual leave via Workday to ensure this leave is taken before the end of December 2026. 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.
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:
- Raise a service One Support Request
- Select "I need to create or modify access" from the drop-down box.
- 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.
The End-of-Life Essentials project: Recognising Dying in Hospitals webinar for health professionals. Led by Flinders Kim Devery, the panel of experts spoke about recognising dying in acute settings. Featuring Jeanette Lacey, Jessica Brown, and Linda Magann, the session provided strategies to improve recognition and communication, the patient’s perspective, and what patients value. Watch here
Funding Opportunities
- 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
The Targeted Call for Research: Homelessness and Health 2025 grant opportunity is now open for applications in Sapphire. Applications are due to the Research Grants office by 3 Dec. 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
Ian Potter Foundation – Medical Research Grant. Applications open 2 February - 26 March (more information).
MRFF 2025 Genomics Health Futures Applications close: 4 Feb | Up to $10m | GrantConnect GO7833
MRFF Childhood Mental Health - Applications open November 5 and close 25 March 2026. More information
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