Institute Upcoming Events
You’re invited to the Health Voices Victoria Film Club, 5.30pm Thurs 19 Feb 2026
Join Health Voices Victoria for the inaugural Film club screening of short film Gund Kwok. Come along or bring along a buddy, we will be watching a short film and stay for a chat. A chance to connect socially, this warm invite is open to IHT members and folks subscribed to the team’s newsletter, called the Chorus.
What is the idea?
Until we have a better name, film club it is an online screening party open for our collaborators and allies.
This is social opportunity for folks to connect with other Chorus members.
Our first short film is Gund Kwok in celebration of Lunar New Year.
The Lion Dance is a folk dance from Asia that was performed exclusively by men in the past. “Gund Kwok” is the first women’s Lion Dance troupe in the U.S. Founded by Cheng Imm Tan, she and fifteen Asian women strive to break lingering stereotypes about the strength and images of Asian women. This film explores gender, culture, racism and healthy communities. Xudong Liu | 2022 | USA | English | 18 mins | View the Trailer
Time/Date: Feb 19, 2026 05:30 PM
Register on Zoom https://deakin.zoom.us/meeting/register/1obeImsuT5Oibe3cbci-Xg
Co‑designing Evidence‑based Long COVID Care in Primary Care, 10am Friday 13 March 2026 (Hybrid)
Join us for an insightful in‑person seminar focused on improving the management of long COVID in primary care through co‑designed, evidence‑based approaches.
In this session, Associate Professor Mona Jeffreys will present findings from a New Zealand research project that brought together people with lived experience of long COVID and health professionals to co‑create a practical framework for primary care. The seminar will explore key challenges faced by patients and clinicians, the co‑design process used to address gaps in care, and the resulting framework covering diagnosis, early management, ongoing care, and supportive strategies.
The session highlights the value of lived experience in shaping healthcare practice and considers the implications for primary care, policy development, and future research.
What You’ll Learn:
- Gain insight into the lived experiences of people with long COVID and the challenges they face in primary care
- Learn how co‑design and participatory research methods can be used to develop practical healthcare frameworks
- Explore key gaps in long COVID care identified through lived experience
- Understand the structure and components of an evidence‑based primary care framework for long COVID
- Consider implications for clinical practice, policy, and future research in Australia and New Zealand
10.00 am – 1.00 pm Friday 13 March 2026
In-person at Deakin Downtown or online.
Register for the online event here.
Register for the in-person event here. Tickets are limited for this in‑person event.
IHT All Members Day, Tues 17 March 2026 at Deakin Downtown
We are hoping to see as many of you as possible at our Upcoming All Members Day on 17 March at Deakin Downtown. This year we’re shaking things up with a slightly shorter program — but don’t worry, it’s still absolutely bursting with fantastic content.
We’re excited to welcome back Dr Merran Stewart, Assistant Director of Performance and Evaluation at the MRFF, who will share insights into the big opportunities coming our way in 2026. You’ll also hear from several of our Senior Researchers as they reveal the key ingredients behind their success with the Scheme — insights you won’t want to miss!
Plus, Professor Rachel Huxley will bring us important updates on the Deakin Institutes for Health, and you’ll be among the very first to get a sneak peek at our brand‑new website and refreshed branding.
Read the full agenda here.
We can’t wait to see you there and share an energising, inspiring day together!
IHT Morning Teas
Join your colleagues for a relaxed morning tea, held three times throughout the year at both Burwood and Waterfront campuses. Don’t forget to claim your free coffee, courtesy of the Institute, at the Burwood or Waterfront Pantry on the day.
- Burwood: 10.30am Tue 24 Mar 2026
- Waterfront: 10.30am Tue Tue 31 Mar 2026
- Burwood: 10.30am Tue Wed 24 Jun 2026
- Waterfront: 10.30am Tue Wed 29 Jul 2026
- Burwood: 10.30am Tue Thu 22 Oct 2026
- Waterfront: T10.30am Tue hu 29 Oct 2026
Keep your eye out for the invite to suit your location. Any questions, please email health-transformation@deakin.edu.au.
Upcoming Events
Introduction to Quantitative Systems Thinking: Seminar Series, 6 sessions commencing 10 Feb 2026
Researchers in the Faculty of Health have been applying systems thinking qualitatively through systems mapping for over 10 years now, including notably using STICKE, Deakin-developed systems mapping software. One way to build on qualitative systems mapping approach is through system dynamics simulation modelling, which involves quantifying the system maps to generate further insight into where there could be leverage points for systems change.
Birgit Kopainsky, a global expert in applying systems science with communities to address complex health and environmental problems, is visiting Deakin and will offer a 6-session weekly interactive, applied online seminar on the basics of system dynamics simulation modelling. Participants are invited to come with a relevant research question, area, or project to get hands on support on how they might use modelling in their work.
Click here for more information and to register. Reach out to andrew.brown@deakin.edu.au if you have any questions.
Scandinavian Research Smorgasbord, 2pm Thursday 12 February 2026
Discover fresh perspectives and innovative ideas at the Scandinavian Research Smorgasbord. A showcase of presentations from a diverse group of visiting health researchers offering a varied selection of research insights, methodologies, and innovations from Scandinavia. Whether you’re looking to spark new collaborations, broaden academic horizons, or hear about their cutting-edge work, you can’t miss this event!
2.00pm-4.30pm Thursday 12 February 2026
Hybrid event, held at Deakin Burwood or online
Download the flyer and program for more information
Deakin Researcher Development Academy Workshops and Webinars
The Researcher Development Academy (RDA) have curated several workshops and webinars that run across the campus network. They are available to all graduate researchers, graduate research supervisors and EMCRs. For the full range of workshops and webinars offered by the Researcher Development Academy, visit here.
Here’s a selection of the many opportunities available:
- A Working Bee with Your Research Profile, 2pm Tues 17 February 2026. Register here.
- Five Rules of Grant Club, 1pm Mon 23 February 2026. Register here.
- Presenting Yourself in a Grant Application, 2pm Tues 3 March 2026. Register here.
- 3MT 2026 Program Launch and Info Session, 12pm Wed 4 March 2026. Register here.
- Describing Your Impact for Funders, 2pm 16 April 2026 Register here
PsychoSocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) Annual Scientific Meeting, 17-19 February 2026
You’re invited to the next PsychoSocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) Annual Scientific Meeting to be held in Deakin’s Waurn Ponds Estate, Geelong, Australia on 17-19 February 2026. The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) are proud to be the local hosts for this annual international event.
About the PSAD
The international PSAD Group is a network of more than 200 members around the world. Most members are based in Europe (where the PSAD began), but our community extends to many other parts of the world, including USA, Canada, Australia, and South America. Members are united in their common interest in the psychosocial aspects of diabetes.
Onsite accommodation is great value but limited – secure your place now!
For any enquiries please contact the PSAD Study Group at info@psadgroup.org.
Defamation Primer: Your research out in the Wild, 2.30pm Wed 25 February 2026
We already know your research can be impactful – especially if it is communicated well. This session will explore how to communicate your work in a challenging, and changing media landscape, including online and in social media.
Presented by Bec Taube, Head of Deakin Legal Services, this session will cover:
- The basics of defamation law
- How defamation interacts (or conflicts) with academic freedom
- How you can find the right balance between getting your message out and having impact, without getting tripped up on media risks
- Q&A
When: Wednesday 25 February 2026, 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Where: Via Zoom
The Global End Diabetes Stigma Summit, Jaipur India 28-29 March 2026
This Global Summit is a pivotal event to share and showcase responsive and impactful efforts to #EndDiabetesStigma, and to highlight next steps. Specifically, the Summit will:
- Present the latest global and local insights, initiatives, and research
- Share innovative strategies, success stories, and best practice
- Explore ongoing challenges and opportunities
- Foster collaborations and partnerships
- Identify indicators of progress in our collective efforts
- Highlight pathways to policy, healthcare, and societal change
Recent Events
IHT Partner and Consumer Involvement Grant Outcomes
Building Connections: Scaling Rural Cancer Research Impact
With support of the IHT Partnership Grants Program, the Equitable Cancer Outcomes across Rural and Remote Australia (ECORRA) research group convened a highly engaged breakfast session at the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Annual Scientific Meeting in Adelaide during November, drawing together more than 80 researchers, clinicians, policymakers, consumers and sector partners from across Australia.
The sold out session provided a platform to translate evidence from the Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific series “Equitable Cancer Outcomes for Rural and Remote Communities” into shared priorities and practical next steps. Through expert presentations and interactive priority setting, participants worked collaboratively across practice, research, policy and advocacy to identify actions that can accelerate equitable cancer care for rural and remote communities. ‑out session provided a platform to translate evidence from the Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific series “‑setting, participants worked collaboratively across practice, research, policy and advocacy to identify actions that can accelerate equitable cancer care for rural and remote communities.
A key outcome of the session was the strengthening of cross sector partnerships, including the establishment of a formal strategic partnership with Cancer Council Australia. This collaboration creates a clear pathway for research evidence to inform national position statements and advocacy, supporting policy relevant change grounded in lived experience. ‑sector partnerships, including the establishment of a formal strategic partnership with Cancer Council Australia. This collaboration creates a clear pathway for research evidence to inform national position statements and advocacy, supporting policy‑relevant change grounded in lived experience.
The session also expanded Deakin’s collaborative network, with more than 80 per cent of participants expressing interest in ongoing involvement. New connections between researchers, health services, peak bodies and consumers have laid strong foundations for future working groups, co‑designed implementation activities and competitive grant applications.
Importantly, participants reached strong consensus on priority actions across the four domains, highlighting the sector’s readiness for system level solutions such as place based approaches, workforce strategies and coordinated service delivery. These outcomes are already shaping future research and translation initiatives, including nationally focused funding opportunities for 2026. ‑level solutions such as place‑based approaches, workforce strategies and coordinated service delivery. These outcomes are already shaping future research and translation initiatives, including nationally focused funding opportunities for 2026.
By bringing diverse perspectives together in a collaborative setting, the COSA breakfast session demonstrated how Deakin led research, partnerships and consumer involvement can drive meaningful impact, strengthening pathways from evidence to action in rural cancer care.‑led research, partnerships and consumer involvement can drive meaningful impact, strengthening pathways from evidence to action in rural cancer care.
If you’re interested in applying for an IHT Partner and Consumer Involvement Grant in 2026, the grant guidelines and application form are available on the funding page on the IHT members portal.
Go back to the February 2026 Newsletter
