Determinants of Health
Contributing to health improvements for Australian and global populations through addressing the social, environmental, commercial and political determinants of health.
We know that where we live, work, play, and age, and how our society operates, has a major impact on our health and wellbeing. These factors, otherwise known as the determinants of health, are modifiable and so can be changed for the better.
The Determinants of Health domain brings together long-standing experience across a diverse range of health determinants (social, environmental, commercial and political) that are outside health systems but have a significant impact on overall health and well-being.
The Determinants of Health domain is based in Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development in the Faculty of Health and is a founding member of the Institute for Health Transformation. It was previously part of Deakin’s longstanding and successful Centre for Population Health Research.
Our team has an extensive and diverse portfolio of research across the social, environmental, commercial and political determinants of health, with a strong focus on health equity and partnership research. Building on expertise in public health and social epidemiology together with etiologic and intervention research strengths, our researchers work with partners to identify real-world solutions to complex, systemic problems.
Our research areas include:
- Workplace health and wellbeing
- Health equity
- Gambling harm prevention
- Disability inclusion
- Infectious and chronic disease risk and control
- Indigenous health and wellbeing
We work with a wide range of groups in the community, such as disability and other advocacy organisations, employers, and government and non-governmental organisations like schools, hospitals, police and emergency service organisations, VicHealth, Beyond Blue, Movember, and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). We also work with a broad range of organisations including national and international universities, Local, State and Federal Government departments, and other health organisations (both government and non-government funded).
For general enquiries about studying as a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student with the Institute for Health Transformation and Deakin University’s School of Health and Development, please contact the HDR Coordinators: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Kim Robinson
HDR project proposals
Social inclusion
Project title: Ageism, loneliness, and sense of purpose: Investigating intergenerational knowledge sharing
Supervisors: Sharon Brennan-Olsen, Dr Shane Kavanagh and Jesse Zanker
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from August 2020
Epidemiology
Project title: Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain (LongSTEPPP)
Supervisors: Professor Catherine Bennett, Dr Shane Kavanagh
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020
Primary contact: Professor Catherine Bennett
Commercial and political determinants of health
Project title: The impact of gambling sponsorship on sport
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt (Deakin University), and Professors Bev John and Gareth Roderique-Davies (University of South Wales)
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: The marketing of gambling products to women
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt (Deakin University), and Professors Bev John and Gareth Roderique-Davies (University of South Wales)
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: Young people’s recall and receptivity of e-cigarette marketing
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020.
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Climate change
Project title: Youth engagement in climate change advocacy and activism
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020.
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: Climate change, mental health and young people
Supervisors: Dr Rebecca Patrick, Dr Claire Henderson-Wilson and Professor Tony LaMontagne
Timeframe for commencement: From October 2020
Primary contact: Dr Rebecca Patrick
Physical literacy
Project title: Measuring physical literacy in children
Supervisor: Associate Professor Lisa Barnett
Timeframe for commencement: July 2020 onward
Primary Contact: Associate Professor Lisa Barnett
Mental health
Project title: The lived experience of carers of people with a mental illness: co-designed strategies
Supervisor: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin, partnering with Deakin’s School of Psychology
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Project title: Implementing and evaluating an innovative support group for siblings of people with a mental illness
Supervisor: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Project title: Student mental health and wellbeing
Supervisor: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Timeframe for commencement: Available now
Primary contact: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Project title: Suicide prevention in male-dominated work settings
Supervisor: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Timeframe for commencement: From end of 2020 (grant awarded, but agreements still being set up as of August 2020). A three-year full-time scholarship is available.
Primary contact: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Project title: Environmental workplace mental health promotion
Supervisors: Dr Rebecca Patrick, Dr Claire Henderson-Wilson and Professor Tony LaMontagne
Commencement: From October 2020
Primary contact: Dr Rebecca Patrick
COVID-19
Project title: The impact of major disruption on occupational roles of health care professionals
Supervisors: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin and Dr Danielle Hitch
Commencement timeframe: 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Project title: The changing nature of public health messaging during COVID-19
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas (Deakin University) Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft (University of Melbourne)
Commencement timeframe: From July 2020 onwards
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: Engagement of low income women and with welfare and charity
Supervisors: Dr Fiona McKay and Dr Hayley McKenzie
Timeframe for commencement: Available now
Primary contact: Dr Fiona McKay
Project title: Faith communities, social support and COVID-19
Supervisor: Professor Beth Crisp
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Project title: Loss, grief, and meaning-making during a global health crisis
Supervisor: Dr James Lucas
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr James Lucas
Nature and sustainability
Project title: Switched on Nature – developing a typology of experience in nature with EEG responses
Supervisors: Dr Justin Lawson and Dr Rebecca Patrick
Number of students the project can accommodate: 1-2
Timeframe for commencement: July 2020 onwards.
Primary contact: Dr Justin Lawson
Disability
Project title: Inclusion and belonging for people with disability from refugee or asylum seeker background
Supervisors: Associate Professor Angela Dew and Dr Jo Watson
Timeframe for commencement: End of 2020, beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Angela Dew
Social determinants
Project title: How do people on low incomes make choices about their health?
Supervisors: Dr Matthew Dunn and Dr Fiona McKay
Timeframe for commencement: Available now
Primary contact: Dr Matthew Dunn
Social work
Project title: Social Workers working from home
Supervisors: Professor Beth Crisp and Dr Sarah Epstein
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Project title: Social Work education fit for practice for 2030 and beyond
Supervisors: Professor Beth Crisp, Dr Rojan Afrouz, Dr Angela Daddow, Dr Sarah Epstein, Dr John Fox, Associate Professor Sophie Goldingay, Dr Norah Hosken, Dr James Lucas, Dr Kim Robinson, Dr Sevi Vassos
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Project title: Religion and belief literacy for social work practice
Supervisor: Professor Beth Crisp
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Asylum seekers and refugees
Project title: Working with asylum seekers and refugees – community development and engagement strategies
Supervisors: Dr Kim Robinson and Dr Rojan Afrouz
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning 2021
Primary contact: Dr Kim Robinson
Project title: Working with asylum seekers and refugees – community engagement strategies in regional Australia
Supervisor: Dr Kim Robinson
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning 2021
Primary contact: Dr Kim Robinson
Family violence
Project title: Family violence and working with asylum seekers and refugees/or CALD communities
Supervisors: Dr Kim Robinson and Dr Rojan Afrouz
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr Kim Robinson
Project title: Family violence help-seeking in the time of COVID-19
Supervisors: Dr Rojan Afrouz and Professor Beth Crisp
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Young people
Project title: Therapeutic life story work: supporting young people in out-of-home care
Supervisors: Dr James Lucas and Dr Judi Parson
Partner organisation: MacKillop Family Services
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr James Lucas
Project title: Seasons for Growth: supporting young people with change, loss, and, grief
Supervisor: Dr James Lucas
Partner organisation: MacKillop Family Services
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr James Lucas
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About
We know that where we live, work, play, and age, and how our society operates, has a major impact on our health and wellbeing. These factors, otherwise known as the determinants of health, are modifiable and so can be changed for the better.
The Determinants of Health domain brings together long-standing experience across a diverse range of health determinants (social, environmental, commercial and political) that are outside health systems but have a significant impact on overall health and well-being.
-
Our story
The Determinants of Health domain is based in Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development in the Faculty of Health and is a founding member of the Institute for Health Transformation. It was previously part of Deakin’s longstanding and successful Centre for Population Health Research.
-
What we do
Our team has an extensive and diverse portfolio of research across the social, environmental, commercial and political determinants of health, with a strong focus on health equity and partnership research. Building on expertise in public health and social epidemiology together with etiologic and intervention research strengths, our researchers work with partners to identify real-world solutions to complex, systemic problems.
Our research areas include:
- Workplace health and wellbeing
- Health equity
- Gambling harm prevention
- Disability inclusion
- Infectious and chronic disease risk and control
- Indigenous health and wellbeing
-
Our partnerships
We work with a wide range of groups in the community, such as disability and other advocacy organisations, employers, and government and non-governmental organisations like schools, hospitals, police and emergency service organisations, VicHealth, Beyond Blue, Movember, and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). We also work with a broad range of organisations including national and international universities, Local, State and Federal Government departments, and other health organisations (both government and non-government funded).
-
Study with us
For general enquiries about studying as a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student with the Institute for Health Transformation and Deakin University’s School of Health and Development, please contact the HDR Coordinators: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Kim Robinson
HDR project proposals
Social inclusion
Project title: Ageism, loneliness, and sense of purpose: Investigating intergenerational knowledge sharing
Supervisors: Sharon Brennan-Olsen, Dr Shane Kavanagh and Jesse Zanker
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from August 2020
Epidemiology
Project title: Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain (LongSTEPPP)
Supervisors: Professor Catherine Bennett, Dr Shane Kavanagh
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020
Primary contact: Professor Catherine Bennett
Commercial and political determinants of health
Project title: The impact of gambling sponsorship on sport
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt (Deakin University), and Professors Bev John and Gareth Roderique-Davies (University of South Wales)
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: The marketing of gambling products to women
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt (Deakin University), and Professors Bev John and Gareth Roderique-Davies (University of South Wales)
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: Young people’s recall and receptivity of e-cigarette marketing
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020.
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Climate change
Project title: Youth engagement in climate change advocacy and activism
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas and Dr Hannah Pitt
Timeframe for commencement: Anytime from July 2020.
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: Climate change, mental health and young people
Supervisors: Dr Rebecca Patrick, Dr Claire Henderson-Wilson and Professor Tony LaMontagne
Timeframe for commencement: From October 2020
Primary contact: Dr Rebecca Patrick
Physical literacy
Project title: Measuring physical literacy in children
Supervisor: Associate Professor Lisa Barnett
Timeframe for commencement: July 2020 onward
Primary Contact: Associate Professor Lisa Barnett
Mental health
Project title: The lived experience of carers of people with a mental illness: co-designed strategies
Supervisor: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin, partnering with Deakin’s School of Psychology
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Project title: Implementing and evaluating an innovative support group for siblings of people with a mental illness
Supervisor: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Project title: Student mental health and wellbeing
Supervisor: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Timeframe for commencement: Available now
Primary contact: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Project title: Suicide prevention in male-dominated work settings
Supervisor: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Timeframe for commencement: From end of 2020 (grant awarded, but agreements still being set up as of August 2020). A three-year full-time scholarship is available.
Primary contact: Professor Tony LaMontagne
Project title: Environmental workplace mental health promotion
Supervisors: Dr Rebecca Patrick, Dr Claire Henderson-Wilson and Professor Tony LaMontagne
Commencement: From October 2020
Primary contact: Dr Rebecca Patrick
COVID-19
Project title: The impact of major disruption on occupational roles of health care professionals
Supervisors: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin and Dr Danielle Hitch
Commencement timeframe: 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Project title: The changing nature of public health messaging during COVID-19
Supervisors: Professor Samantha Thomas (Deakin University) Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft (University of Melbourne)
Commencement timeframe: From July 2020 onwards
Primary contact: Professor Samantha Thomas
Project title: Engagement of low income women and with welfare and charity
Supervisors: Dr Fiona McKay and Dr Hayley McKenzie
Timeframe for commencement: Available now
Primary contact: Dr Fiona McKay
Project title: Faith communities, social support and COVID-19
Supervisor: Professor Beth Crisp
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Project title: Loss, grief, and meaning-making during a global health crisis
Supervisor: Dr James Lucas
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr James Lucas
Nature and sustainability
Project title: Switched on Nature – developing a typology of experience in nature with EEG responses
Supervisors: Dr Justin Lawson and Dr Rebecca Patrick
Number of students the project can accommodate: 1-2
Timeframe for commencement: July 2020 onwards.
Primary contact: Dr Justin Lawson
Disability
Project title: Inclusion and belonging for people with disability from refugee or asylum seeker background
Supervisors: Associate Professor Angela Dew and Dr Jo Watson
Timeframe for commencement: End of 2020, beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Associate Professor Angela Dew
Social determinants
Project title: How do people on low incomes make choices about their health?
Supervisors: Dr Matthew Dunn and Dr Fiona McKay
Timeframe for commencement: Available now
Primary contact: Dr Matthew Dunn
Social work
Project title: Social Workers working from home
Supervisors: Professor Beth Crisp and Dr Sarah Epstein
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Project title: Social Work education fit for practice for 2030 and beyond
Supervisors: Professor Beth Crisp, Dr Rojan Afrouz, Dr Angela Daddow, Dr Sarah Epstein, Dr John Fox, Associate Professor Sophie Goldingay, Dr Norah Hosken, Dr James Lucas, Dr Kim Robinson, Dr Sevi Vassos
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Project title: Religion and belief literacy for social work practice
Supervisor: Professor Beth Crisp
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Asylum seekers and refugees
Project title: Working with asylum seekers and refugees – community development and engagement strategies
Supervisors: Dr Kim Robinson and Dr Rojan Afrouz
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning 2021
Primary contact: Dr Kim Robinson
Project title: Working with asylum seekers and refugees – community engagement strategies in regional Australia
Supervisor: Dr Kim Robinson
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning 2021
Primary contact: Dr Kim Robinson
Family violence
Project title: Family violence and working with asylum seekers and refugees/or CALD communities
Supervisors: Dr Kim Robinson and Dr Rojan Afrouz
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr Kim Robinson
Project title: Family violence help-seeking in the time of COVID-19
Supervisors: Dr Rojan Afrouz and Professor Beth Crisp
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Professor Beth Crisp
Young people
Project title: Therapeutic life story work: supporting young people in out-of-home care
Supervisors: Dr James Lucas and Dr Judi Parson
Partner organisation: MacKillop Family Services
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr James Lucas
Project title: Seasons for Growth: supporting young people with change, loss, and, grief
Supervisor: Dr James Lucas
Partner organisation: MacKillop Family Services
Timeframe for commencement: Beginning of 2021
Primary contact: Dr James Lucas
