Academics might have noticed that they have now been automatically subscribed to alerts from Research Professional.  This is part of the implementation across the University. If you do not want to receive the alerts, then click unsubscribe in the email. If you would like to tailor your alerts more specifically for your area, please contact Cathy Ward (email: cathy.ward@monash.edu, phone: 5440 9082)  in the north-west or Helen Chambers (email: helen.chambers@monash.edu, phone: 5128 1028)  in the south-east for help.

Here are some research funding opportunities available in the next three months identified by the existing School of Rural Health searches. (more…)

The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences Strategic Grant Scheme (SGS), consisting of about $1 million per year, is seeking expressions of interest from researchers.

Under the SGS the faculty aims to strengthen the capability and international competitiveness of its researchers by supporting high quality, multi-disciplinary, collaborative proposals. Other objectives include the identification and development of young research leaders, and collaboration with Monash University Malaysia. (more…)

Checking the movements to ensure they are being performed correctly

A real-time, remote system using avatars to help people undertake rehabilitation in their own home is being developed by Monash University’s School of Rural Health for a Gippsland municipality.

Bill Haigh, who works on E-learning, research and innovations at the School of Rural Health’s Gippsland Regional Clinical School, along with Associate Professor Helen McBurney, is undertaking the project commissioned by Baw Baw Shire in West Gippsland as part of the Victorian Government’s Transport Connections Program.

Baw Baw Transport Connections Facilitator, Stephen Pykett, has worked with Mr Haig in bringing the concept to reality for residents of Baw Baw Shire who will be able to access rehabilitation services and overcome transport disadvantage.

It is a kinetic program delivered on computer in the home. The client undergoing rehabilitation watches a series of exercises delivered by the avatar that mimic movement. The client then follows the avatar movement to perform relevant exercises. (more…)

Participants at the MABEL forum

Names very familiar to those working in the School of Rural Health have played a large role in the inaugural MABEL Research Forum held at the University of Melbourne.

MABEL (Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life) is a longitudinal national survey of doctors supported by NHMRC as a Centre for Research Excellence in Medical Workforce Dynamics, with Emeritus Professor John Humphreys one of the Chief Investigators.

Senior Research Fellow Dr Matthew McGrail, based at the Gippsland Medical School, leads the Rural Workforce Supply and Distribution theme within MABEL.

Matthew and John presented three papers at the MABEL forum: Translating rural medical workforce data into evidence-based policy; Understanding the dynamics of rural GP mobility; and Preferences for rural medical workforce retention policies.

The forum was well attended by senior academics, policy makers, and representative organisations including Health Workforce Australia, Department of Health and Ageing, Rural Doctors Association, various Postgraduate Medical Education Councils and various Rural Health Workforce agencies. The Medical Students Outcome Database project, as well as Professor Roger Strasser and Dr Sarah Strasser, were also involved. All presentations were followed by strong discussions and questioning from the audience.

The forum showcased some of the important medical workforce research taking place in MABEL, particularly those led by the School of Rural Health. It is hoped that this forum will become an annual event as the research output using MABEL data continues to grow.

More information is available at the MABEL website or by contacting Matthew McGrail.

Professor Debra Nestel at a recent international conference

Professor Debra Nestel has been in high demand at international conferences to share her knowledge, especially in use of simulation, in medical training.

In March she was invited to Riyadh by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialities where she gave a key note on Global Perspectives On Postgraduate Medical Education. She also ran a workshop on acquiring clinical competence and was invited to offer ideas in a closing session, Prism into the Future. Simulation was a central theme in each presentation.

In April, Debra delivered a key note at the Evidenz in der Vermittlung praktischer Fertigkeiten XII SkillsLab Symposium in Goettingen. She was invited to speak on realism in healthcare simulation with a focus on theory and also gave a workshop on simulated patient methodology.

Debra will soon deliver a key note address in New York at an international paediatric simulation meeting where she will be sharing lessons learned from the national training programs for simulation educators, The AusSETT and NHET-Sim programs.

Associate Professor Darryl Maybery of MUDRIH has been awarded $1,855,891 to continue his research in support services for parents with a mental illness.

His project – Developing an Australian-first recovery model for parents in Victorian mental health and family services – was one of five successful projects to be funded by the Victorian Mental Illness Research Fund.

Announcing the funding at the end of March, Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge said the funded projects were of very high scientific merit and build on Victoria’s key research strengths.

“The five projects were selected from a very strong field of 43 submissions and will build knowledge that can be applied to improve treatment and recovery outcomes for people with mental illness,” the minister said.

Associate Professor Maybery will lead the research project and work with SANE Australia, Family Life, Neami, the Bouverie Centre, the Parenting Research Centre, Raising Children Network, beyondblue, Eastern Health, Northern Health and the University of South Australia. The project will work with parents with a mental illness to develop and trial approaches that effectively engage families and children within specialist mental health services. This is expected to deliver significant mental health and wellbeing benefits to both parents and their children.

Cathy Ward and Helen Chambers are investigating which searches would be useful to have available to researchers on the School of Rural Health Research Professional page.

If you have any suggestions of what would be useful to you, please contact Helen or Cathy.

Handy Tip: When you log into Research Professional, click on the “Our Institution” tab on the top left hand menu to go to Monash’s home page. Scroll down on this home page to access a number of general searches such as Australian Granting Bodies, Australian Medical Schemes, Early Career Research opportunities and NIH Schemes. You can also find a link to Research Professional on the SRH intranet.

Here are some research opportunities available in the next two months identified by the existing School of Rural Health searches.

Research Grants

Vanguard grants – Heart Foundation of Australia
These provide funding to test the feasibility of innovative concepts in public health or health services, including clinical service delivery, which may lead to larger, more rigourous testing in the future. Grants are worth up to AU$75,000 for up to one year.
Closing date: 3 May 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1283343

RACGP/Osteoporosis Australia bone health research grant – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
This supports research that will help to reduce the burden of osteoporotic fractures and lead to improved quality of life and excellence in clinical care of people with osteoporosis and fractures. The grant is worth up to $30,000 during one year.
Closing date: 6 May 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/938275

Blue sky cancer research grants – Cancer Council South Australia
These support early pathways of cancer research projects that have the potential to make a significant contribution to cancer control in South Australia. Funding of up to $100,000 is available.
Closing date: 20 May 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1302801

Project research grants – Asthma Australia
Project research grants are open to all researchers and seek to support the most effective local research in areas relevant to asthma. Budgets no larger than $19,000 are preferred, with an additional $1,000 available to attend the biennial Australian Asthma Conference.
Closing date: 28 May 2013 (Forecast)
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/250562

Research grants – DENTSPLY Australia
Grants support dental research in Australia and New Zealand, recognising outstanding and innovative research in basic dental science and applied research achievements for improvement and development of oral care for the prevention of oral diseases. Grants are worth a maximum of $3,000 over one year.
Closing date: 31 May 2013 http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/258752

Travel Grants

Travel grants – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
These enable Australian early-stage researchers or allied health and nursing professionals to travel to research institutions or scientific meetings for the purpose of furthering their expertise on Type 1 Diabetes. Grants are worth up to $2,000 for domestic travel or up to $4,000 for international travel.
Closing date: 14 Jun 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/251958

Research Fellowships

RACP/MAIC research establishment fellowship – Royal Australasian College of Physicians
This aims to improve knowledge on medical conditions that cause or contribute to road traffic crashes, injuries arising from crashes, and medical treatments or approaches that improve health or other outcomes for people involved in crashes. Funding is worth up to $40,000.
Closing date: 17 Jun 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1300571

Australian leadership awards fellowships – Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
These provide Australian organisations with the opportunity to offer funding to senior officials and mid-career fellows from developing countries for short-term study, research and professional development activities in Australia. A maximum of $35,000 per fellow is available. This award is in Australian research income Category 2.
Closing date: 19 Jun 2013 http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/245160

Research fellowships – Cancer Council of Western Australia
These provide opportunities for outstanding biomedical and health researchers with a proven track record to conduct research that is of both major importance for cancer control and significant benefit to Western Australian health and medical research. Funding is worth up to $400,000 for the duration of up to four years.
Closing date: 24 May 2013 http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/564396

Scholarships

Health professional scholarships – Heart Foundation of Australia
These provide the opportunity for applicants to undertake a PhD after a number of non-academic years. The scholarships are worth $40,000 pro rata per year for up to three years, subject to annual review.
Closing date: 28 Jun 2013
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/1283337

Taylor-Hammond research scholarship – Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The purpose of the scholarship is to promote clinical or basic research in women’s health in areas that have not previously attracted a great deal of research funding. The scholarship is for a period of one year with a stipend of $20,000.
Closing date: 30 Jun 2013 (Forecast)
http://www.researchprofessional.com/funding/opportunity/245001

Marita Chisholm

Marita Chisholm has had a busy month, in an academic and sporting sense.

She presented her PhD topic, ‘Access to dementia care and support services in rural Victorian communities’ before colleagues and a panel to successfully gain her confirmation of candidature.

At around the same time she was busy preparing for and taking part in the annual 8km swim, the Cohuna Bridge to Bridge race, along the town’s Gunbower Creek.

Marita swam into second place, continuing her impressive record in the event.

She has swum the 1.5km race three times and the 8km race twice, earning a top three placing in every race.

The event is held amongst the picturesque surrounds of Cohuna, Gunbower Island State Forest and the Gunbower Creek making it a great family day. There are a range of events for adults and juniors and all money raised is donated to the Cohuna District Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Research Professional now has a rural health-specific group, which is available via the web.  Research Professional is an online, searchable database that provides information about national and international funding opportunities for researchers based in Australia, including grants, fellowships and prizes, plus a compendium of worldwide research news.

To join the group, click “Join this group” button on the top right hand page. 

Cathy Ward and Helen Chambers are in the process of adding information and searches to this page. 

Information on how to register with Research Professional plus a user guide was distributed by email before Easter – please contact Cathy or Helen if you need the information resent.

Here is a snapshot of some upcoming funding opportunities:

Research grants
Pierce Armstrong Foundation: These support research that may contribute to a better quality of life for all Australians.

Closing date: 15 April 2013  

Sponsorship to attend conference
Primary Health Care Research & Information Service: This is granted to a delegate residing in Australia who would not normally be able to attend the PHC research conference because of funding difficulties. Part and full sponsorship packages are available.

Closing date: 26 April 2013   

Small grants
Helen Macpherson Smith Trust: These grants are awarded to non-profit organisations in Victoria undertaking small stand-alone projects, to fund elements of larger programs or for material or equipment costs. The maximum amount awarded is AU$25,000.

Closing date: 30 April 2013   

Travel grants
Ian Potter Foundation: The grants assist early-career staff members with an appointment of at least three years to attend conferences overseas to develop their research and interact with their peers in the international scene. Travel grants made are normally worth between AU$2,000 and AU$3,000.

Closing date: 28 May 2013

Thanks to everyone from across the School who submitted 2012 publications by the deadline in February. 

The 2012 publications list is now available on the research website.

The School had more than 140 publications during 2012, with 71 being C1 Journal Articles.

We have had authors publish in journals such as Australian Journal of Rural Health, The American Journal of Surgery, The Lancet, International Journal of Health and Addiction, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing and BMC Medical Research Methodology. 

Conference presentations were published at conferences in Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Thailand, and Japan and also across all parts of Australia. 

Articles in professional journals were also published and distributed to different health and education professional groups in Australia. 

A reminder for those with a publication during 2013: please forward the publication, as early as possible, with the appropriate forms and FOR codes to Janelle McGrail in the south-east or Sandra Paschkow in the north-west. This allows the research administration team to process publications throughout the year, rather than in the last few weeks prior to the deadline. 

Any questions regarding publication collection should be directed in the first instance to the Research Administration Manager, cathy.ward@monoash.edu, or alternatively to Janelle.mcgrail@monash.edu or sandra.paschkow@monash.edu.