Thanks to those who attended, planned and contributed to IHT’s Harmony Day lunch. Around the world, Harmony Day is also known as United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Fairness is really important to me, and I appreciated the opportunity to reflect on how IHT members work to embody the principles of inclusion and respect. I thank-you for allowing me to share how my personal history has coloured my passion, and it is a great source of satisfaction to me that IHT has collectively committed to equity being at the heart of what we do.
March was a busy month for IHT members, 5 of our researchers attended the Science Meets Parliament events hosted by Science and Technology Australia. Read their reflections from the event and their top tips for meeting with MPs in the highlights section below.
Communicating our work to non-expert audiences is becoming increasingly important. I encourage our EMCR’s to consider taking part in this year’s Three Minute Thesis/Visualise Your Thesis research communications skills program. The details for the program are listed in the events section below.
IHT was also pleased to host members of the Singapore Health Promotion Board this month. I enjoyed learning more about their experiences and priorities. Thanks to Serene Yoong, Adrian Cameron and Adyya Gupta for their great representation of IHT and our work in the Board’s priority area of obesity prevention.
Congratulations to several award-winners in March! A fantastic reflection of excellence of IHT research. Dani Hitch’s team at the recent COVIDTHON won $14k in funding to explore the personal characteristics of people accessing health services three to six months after COVID-19 infection. One of our newest IHT members, PhD candidate Nina Imad won the people’s choice and meritorious awards at the Implementation Science Health Conference Australia. And a final congratulations to Tracey Bucknall, whose publication on the PRONTO study has been recognised as one of the top 5 publications in the BMJ Quality and Safety for 2022. Find out more in the highlights section below. Further congratulations to the Faculty of Health Partnership In Practice Award nominees and winners – I’m proud to see such fantastic representation of IHT and the work we do.
A reminder to all that each month Deakin’s Wellbeing Calendar provides an overview of the different wellbeing focus areas for each month, allowing you to plan and prioritise your personal and professional wellbeing goals. In April, the calendar is focused on physical vitality. You can find the calendar on DeakinHub.
Finally, it was wonderful to see everyone at yesterday’s IHT All Members Day. Planning is already underway for the next one, which will be held on 13 July. I once again wish you all a great Easter break.
A warm welcome to our new members:
- Nina Imad, PhD Student, GLOBE
- Gloria Leung, Research Fellow, GLOBE
- Sangita Shakya, PhD Student, DHE
- Adren Alinejad, PhD Student, DoH
- Carolina Venegas Hargous, PhD Student, GLOBE
- Ayele Bali, Research Fellow, QPS
- Ann Livingstone, Research Fellow, DHE
- Belinda Seale, PhD Student, Determinants of Health
