Professor Peeters has always been determined to make the world a better place. “I love working with others to come up with new approaches to solving thorny problems,” she said.
“Our current systems, from the food system through to the aged care system and the mental health system, are not working effectively, efficiently, or equitably.
“They have grown up over the past century in a piecemeal fashion, aiming to deliver specific outcomes, with little understanding of how they no longer as a whole benefit population health and wellbeing.
“Redesigning these systems needs a lot of different perspectives working together to identify, test, adapt and track improvements. Taking a collaborative approach to our most complex health challenges will deliver real and lasting impact for all communities.”
How it all began 7 years ago
“I arrived at Deakin in 2015, after a term at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and, before that, at Monash University. Along with 12 of my colleagues from Baker, I was part of a research program looking at determinants of health and obesity prevention. We merged with others at Deakin University to create the Global Obesity Centre and I worked closely with the campus services and facilities team in the development of the Deakin Food Charter. The broader collaboration offered by Deakin University has been fantastic for both myself and my team.”
“When the Deakin Council created the Institute for Health Transformation in 2019, the role of Director came up, and I felt it aligned perfectly with my interest in the strategic use of research and evidence to inform equitable health outcomes. So, I put my hand up.”
Looking to bring together many diverse research groups and centres, Prof Peeters focused on the key questions that have formed the cornerstone of the inclusive and empowering culture she has nurtured:
- How do we support our junior researchers?
- How do we work with partners to deliver useful research that will have an impact on health outcomes
- How do we get on the government policy radar?
- How do we support our members towards grant success?
- How do we grow the Institute together?
What is the process of creating an institute that people may not be aware of?
“Communication and engagement play a key role. They not only builds the profile of the researchers, Institute and University – aiding our funding and partnership opportunities – but it also allows the important work of the researchers to be made public and useable. Developing the skills of the researchers to communicate and putting mechanisms in place to get the word out there has been a key part of my role.”
“Early- to mid-career researchers (EMCRs), in particular, have really blossomed in the Institute. They have worked together to identify their needs and propose strategies for their support. Focusing the Institute on building enabling structures and processes to support our researchers to do their best work has been instrumental in their success. ”
”Using a co-design approach to develop our Institute’s values proved invaluable in establishing our culture. We then embedded and reinforced our values of Collaboration, Equity, Inclusive, Integrity, Excellent, Dynamic into our daily activities. By establishing values-based rewards, we have seen our culture continue to strengthen over time.”
Empowering a thriving Institute
“Each year has brought many successes in our mission to transform health through optimising prevention and care. Together, our dedicated members, partners, Executive, Advisory Group and our wider Deakin community, enabled us to deliver impactful research each year. It is important to recognise that through delivering work with purpose and equity at its heart, we are contributing positively to the world we live in. Our partners recognise this, telling us that the Institute continues to deliver value for communities and the health sector,” Prof Peeters said.
Since the Institute commenced in 2019, there have been consistent impressive results culminating in:
- The Institute has grown to over 300+ members including 100+ PhD students in 2024
- Institute researchers, across all career stages, have been extremely successful at winning awards for research excellence, impact and communication
- Institute researchers work globally through collaborations, partnerships and projects in 64 countries
- Over the last six years the Institute has successfully been awarded more than $80 million for research
- Last year’s grant success results saw the Institute become the highest income generating research institute at Deakin University in 2024
- The Institute’s researchers have generated more than 3000+ publications and other academic outputs.
Continuing to build each year, the Institue’s outstanding 2024 results are a testament to the hard work from all members and the leadership team.
What are some memorable highlights from your time at the Institute?
The most memorable is definitely the people. I am so privileged to have worked with so many passionate emerging research leaders, world-leading academics and passionate health sector partners.
Project Director of the DELIVER project
Now in it’s fourth year, the five year $9M MRFF funded DELIVER project aims to improve health outcomes for older Australians in regional, rural and remote areas with feasibility-tested interventions to improve the timeliness, accessibility to and integration of care. This should also result in fewer avoidable hospitalisations and improved patient experience.
Led by the Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre (Western Alliance), of which Deakin is a major partner, in partnership with healthcare consumers, regional and rural health services, universities and primary healthcare providers across western Victoria, the project will identify and build a suite of programs to improve care for people who frequently present to the Emergency Department and extend and improve in-home healthcare, including cancer care at home.
Project Director of the RE-FRESH project
The Centre of Research Excellence in Food Retail Environments for Health (RE-FRESH) worked to improve diet and health at a population level by developing and translating the evidence needed to improve the retail food environments where people buy their food and drinks.
The five year NHMRC funded Centre of RE-FRESH project ran from 2018-2023 and was the first global centre dedicated to the advancement of healthy food retail research and practice. In collaboration with Monash University, The Sax Institute, University of Auckland and The George Institute for Global Health, RE-FRESH aimed to transform the environments in which citizens buy their food and beverages in order to improve our population’s diet and health.
This important research continues through RE-FRESH: Next Generation, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) until 2029.
Final thoughts
Prof Peeters shared, “While I will be sad to leave my current role, I am excited at the opportunity to continue to work with Victoria’s committed public health sector to deliver systemic improvements in health and wellbeing for all Victorians. I will watch your continued excellence and impact with joy, and am pleased that Deakin Distinguished Professor Trish Livingston has agreed to support the Institute as Acting Director when I finish up at the end of February 2025.”
“This is an inspired appointment and a wonderful opportunity for Anna, and we know that she will continue to be a fantastic ambassador for public health in her new role,” Executive Dean for the Faculty of Health, Deakin Distinguished Professor Rachel Huxley commented.
Quoted from his heartfelt farewell speech, Deakin Distinguished Professor Steven Allender said, ‘So, at Deakin we count ourselves lucky to say we are proud to have been part of your journey, and we are behind you every step of the way as you lead VicHealth, a global leading light improving the health for all populations.”
