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Study with us

Help us address the 21st century’s most compelling and complex health challenges by undertaking a PhD or postdoctoral research through the Institute. With the support of our world renowned researchers and access to our partners across the health sector, you’ll make your mark with research that transforms the design and delivery of prevention and care.

Find out more about becoming a research student at Deakin and available scholarships.

Keep reading for current opportunities.

 

PhD opportunities

For general enquiries about studying as a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student with the Institute for Health Transformation please contact:

School of Nursing and Midwifery HDR Coordinator, Associate Professor Pat Nicholson
Phone: +61 3 924 46114
Email: p.nicholson@deakin.edu.au

School of Health and Social Development HDR Coordinator, Associate Professor Genevieve Pepin
Phone: +61 3 522 78462
Email: genevieve.pepin@deakin.edu.au

School of Health and Social Development Deputy HDR Coordinator, Dr Kim Robinson
Phone: +61 3 522 78205
Email: kim.robinson@deakin.edu.au

Current projects

Healthy Food, Healthy People, Healthy Planet

Food systems have a key influence on population health and environmental sustainability. In recent decades, major changes to food systems have resulted in widescale distribution and consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed food and beverages that are contributing to poor health outcomes, with high environmental footprints. In Australia and globally, extensive transformation of food systems is needed to address diet-related diseases and to stay within planetary boundaries.

A PhD scholarship is available to initiate and conduct research on the topic ‘Healthy Food, Healthy Planet, Healthy People’.

The PhD candidate will be based either in the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE) within the Institute for Health Transformation, or in Deakin University’s Planet-A lab, within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences . We will select the most appropriate supervision team based on the candidate’s interests, expertise and research topic.

Find out more on the Deakin website.

Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle – Tailoring diabetes prevention for menopause

This is a doctoral Cotutelle project in ‘tailoring an existing diabetes prevention programme to address the menopause for midlife women’ between Deakin University (Australia) and Coventry University (UK).

There is not seen to be a one size fits all approach to managing midlife changes in women, but rather a tool kit of synergistic strategies is needed. Women need to be empowered to understand their symptoms and know how to manage menopause. Doing so will give women a better chance in preventing type 2 diabetes.

This PhD will explore the online discourse and co-produce and test a tailored diabetes prevention programme that addresses the menopause for midlife women.

Find out more on the Deakin website.

Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle – Building strength in the menopause

This is a doctoral Cotutelle project in ‘promoting ‘sitting less and moving more’, incorporating progressive increases in muscle strength, for diabetes prevention in menopause between Deakin University (Australia) and Coventry University (United Kingdom)

This PhD will explore the ‘sitting less and moving more’ strategy with an emphasis on the incorporation of muscle strength development for menopausal women living at risk of type 2 diabetes and co-produce an intervention targeting this strategy in this group.

Find out more on the Deakin website.

Understanding and addressing diabetes stigma

Broadly, the aim of this mixed-methods PhD research is to quantify the scope, and drivers, of diabetes stigma, to inform the development and evaluation of relevant interventions. The exact project aims and methods will be developed, in partnership, by the student and supervision team.

The successful candidate will be awarded a three-year Deakin University Industry PhD Scholarship, in collaboration with The DiaTribe Foundation (USA).

Find out more on the Deakin website.

In hospital experiences for people with diabetes

This project will explore expectations, preferences and experiences regarding diabetes management during hospitalisations of adults with diabetes. It could also evaluate people’s experiences and satisfaction with hospital initiatives to improve quality of care for people with diabetes. The exact aims and methods will be determined through consultation between the candidate and the supervision panel.

Find out more on the Deakin website.

Taking part in diabetes research: Who, why, how?

This project may explore the expectations, experiences, barriers and facilitators of research participation among Australian adults with type 2 diabetes. In pursuit of this aim, systematic literature review and mixed methods research will likely be undertaken. The exact aims and methods will be determined through consultation between the candidate and the supervision panel.

Find out more on the Deakin website.

Post-doc opportunities

Our early to mid-career researchers play a vital role in our research and we provide a supportive environment in which to build their careers and attract funding. Some of these opportunities include:

If you’d like to talk to us about post doc opportunities within the Institute, please contact us at health-transformation@deakin.edu.au or phone 03 9244 5791. We’d love to hear from you.

Honours and Masters research projects

Our Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research is home to a number of Masters and Honours students enrolled at Deakin’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. The students are completing research projects in several areas, including patient experience, patient safety and health workforce.

For further information on Honours research projects, contact Dr Emily Tomlinson, and for Masters research projects, contact Associate Professor Melissa Bloomer

Become a visiting researcher

The Institute for Health Transformation has a vibrant culture of fostering connections with scholars and PhD students to achieve excellence in research and practice. We welcome applications for visits from scholars and PhD students wishing to carry out research and participate in academic life at the Institute.

Researchers, academics and PhD students may apply to visit the Institute and work with our researchers on projects and/or papers, expanding their collaborative networks and adding unparalleled experience to their CVs. Visiting scholars and students are also encouraged to participate in events and activities hosted by the Institute and Deakin University during their visit.

Expressions of interest should outline proposed research activities that align with our research streams. Visitors are offered access to a workstation, IT facilities and Deakin University’s library. Full details, including any fees that apply, will be made available during the application process.  All associated costs such as accommodation, travel and living expenses will be met by the visiting academic or student. Expressions of interest should be made at least two months prior to the proposed commencement of the visiting fellowship.

International visitors to Australia require a visa. Read more information on Australian visa requirements.

Please note: This information relates to academics and PhD students who wish to visit Deakin University on a short-term basis. Prospective international students wishing to enrol in a PhD at Deakin University should visit the Deakin University website.

Apply using our visitor expression of interest form

Participate in research

We can’t do research without your help.

At IHT, we’re dedicated to conducting impactful research that addresses today’s most intricate health challenges, not only within Australia but on a global scale. Your participation is crucial in making a difference.

Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

We are looking for participants for following studies:

  • #Africanmigrantwomen

    Make your pregnancy diet experience count! You will receive $70 (two interviews @ $35 each) for participating in our study!

    We are conducting a study to explore the cultural food practices that African migrant women engage in during pregnancy in Australia.

    We are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:

    • African-born women (including English/European/white women born in Africa)
    • Currently pregnant or have been pregnant in Australia within the past 5 years
    • Aged over 18 years
    • Proficient in English.

    What do you have to do?

    • Fill out a short survey online in Qualtrics
    • Participate in two interviews, each lasting between 45 and 60 minutes
    • Take photographs of your food intake you consider healthy/unhealthy for consumption during and after pregnancy.

    Interested? Register your interest via this link: https://researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_4SnpLCSMbLZw926 OR email us at b.olajide@deakin.edu.au.

    This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: 2023-331).

  • #Digitalyouth - for participants 8 to 25 years

    Let’s make the online space safer for our kids and youth! You can receive up to $150 for participating in our study!

    We are conducting a study to measure how children and youth are exposed to unhealthy digital marketing so we can make the online space safer and healthier.

    We are looking for participants:

    • aged 8 to 25
    • living in Australia
    • who have access to a phone/tablet/computer
    • who use or have access to at least one social media site.

    What do you have to do?

    • Record the digital screens while browsing internet on one weekday and one weekend day. We will not go through your screen recordings. An artificial intelligence system, trained only to extract marketing content, will analyse your data. We will only receive information on the different marketing messages that you see while online.
    • Fill out the online questionnaire about the marketing messages you see online.

    We may also ask you if you would like to join a short interview to talk about the marketing messages that you saw.

    You will receive a $100 master/visa gift voucher for 2 days of screen recordings and for filling the post study survey, and an additional $50 gift voucher for participating in the online interview (a total of $150 for participating in the study).

    For more information, please read:

    Plain language statement for parents of participants

    Plain language statement for children and young adults

    Infographic of project protocol

    Interested? Please sign up!

    For more information, email Navoda – navoda.l@deakin.edu.au

    This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: 2023-370).

  • Patient Safety Incidents Simulations

    New study exploring the experiences and perceptions of using simulation methods to support nurses following patient safety incidents.

    We are looking for simulation experts working in healthcare environments to participate in individual interviews.

    Time: Individual interviews for approx. 60 mins.
    Where: Interview conducted by Zoom

    For more information, plain language statement and consent download the document here

    If you’re interested in having a chat about this please reach out to Associate Professor Monica Peddle at m.peddle@deakin.edu.au 

    This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: HEAG-H 144_2023)

    This research was funded by a Grant from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) – The Debra Spunt Research grant.

  • Food-related behaviours of young people in Australia

    We are no longer looking for participants in this study.

    We are conducting a study to understand who the young people exposed to digital advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages in Australia are. Participants will be required to answer a few questions using an online questionnaire. You will receive a $20 voucher for participating.

    Young people will be eligible for the study if they:

    • are between the ages of 14 and 17 years
    • have a smartphone
    • have at least one social media account
    • use their social media accounts at least once a week
    • speak English
    • are an Australian resident.

    For more information, read and download the plain language statement.

    This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: HEAG-H 60_2024 )

No study that suits you? No worries. Register your interest today! We’ll reach out when there is a study that suits you!