Building public health capacity for complex questions, complex settings complex interventions [ 2007 - 2012 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Rhonda Small (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Jeanne Daly ,  Prof Christine Macarthur ,  Prof Jane Gunn ,  Prof Judith Lumley
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Brief description We describe a program of continuing education and development for postdoctoral staff in the transition from completing a PhD to becoming independent researchers. Their goals - and ours - are that at the end of the program they will initiate their own research programs, as part of a research team and will secure competitive funding to do so. The focus of the application is building capacity across two research groups, with the Lead Applicants (LA's) developing the formal program. Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University and the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne are sited in Carlton and the LA's have a more than 10 year history of successful collaboration and a strong interest in mothers' and children's health. The applicants have a record of tackling difficult research, including population groups who are often excluded - Indigenous and immigrant women - and addressing difficult questions. The program of research addresses a set of complex problems ranging from intimate partner violence to preterm birth and substance abuse. These come to light in primary care, hospitals or communities. These problems require complex interventions, developed from a broad research base, to be implemented in different settings with diverse designs, from qualitative research to community trials. Multi-level interventions to change policy or practice, and health service and health economic evaluations will also be important aspects. Individual mentoring by LA's will involve specific supervision, mentoring and support of Team Investigators (TI's). There will also be co-mentoring by TI's, personal development and skills development. The research program will build capacity through participation in multidisciplinary research. The importance of research transfer and research translation will be emphasized through lunchtime seminars on public health advocacy, with content and policy component, led by TI's and supported by LA. There will be a national conference allowance for presentation of research findings, with a prior presentation to all staff here for feedback. Workshops will be held by LA's and TI's with established skills in reviewing manuscripts for journals and in editing. The outcomes of this program will be a stronger research capacity, improved research, sound health policy, better health care and improved health.

Funding Amount $AUD 2,486,195.69

Funding Scheme Centres of Research Excellence

Notes Population Health Capacity Building Grant