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Accelerating the translation of Research findings into Action to ensure scientific evidence can positively Impact the health of South Australians.
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It’s been a jam-packed month for the HTSA team!
In late March, I attended the AHRA Council face-to-face meeting in Canberra on behalf of Health Translation SA and our Partners. The Council examined collaborative funding opportunities, reviewed stakeholder engagement and advocacy and discussed AHRA’s National Systems Level Initiatives and Research Networks. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our colleagues in the other Translation Centres around Australia and re-think our positioning as a collective going forward.
On a local level, I had the pleasure of co-hosting the inaugural SA MRFF Summit with the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network and Flinders University. Attendees heard from a range of expert speakers who provided significant insights into the approaches that are needed to be successful in the MRFF funding arena. A link to all of the presentations is available below if you missed it. We hope the summit will become an annual event, so please keep your eye out for this again in the future!
At the end of last week, we wrapped up our most recent Spotlight Series on Research Impact. The need for this type of capacity building initiative was solidified for us, with over 160 people attending the 4 online webinars. To find out more about the information that was shared during this series and our ‘top-tips for maximising research impact’, please see our feature story in this month’s newsletter or visit to our website.
We also saw this as a great opportunity to recognise some of our own translational research projects who have demonstrated significant research impact over the past few years. I would like to congratulate our winner, the Reducing the Risk of Preterm Birth Project Team, and runner-up, the Stroke Datalink Project Team for their outstanding efforts. These two projects are exemplars in how bridging the gap between research and health service delivery, can have direct impact on improving the health of our community.
We have also recently convened a strategy workshop for our 6 HTSA Flagship Programs. Our Flagships are great, collaborative projects that are working to embed research and evidence in the health system to make a difference to health outcomes. Some are working on condition specific projects and others are broader. They include:
On a final note, I am about to go on 6 weeks long-service leave. During this time, Ecushla Linedale (Ecushla.Linedale@healthtranslationsa.org.au) will be acting in my position. Please feel free to reach out to her if you need our assistance and I look forward to re-connecting with you all on my return!
Wendy Keech
Health Translation SA CEO
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Health Translation SA's top tips to maximising research impact
Enabling research to deliver meaningful impact for the community is the core of our work here at Health Translation SA. As part of our recent Spotlight Series, our team has put together their top tips for maximising your impact.
- Understand the problem and the context in which your solution might exist - Who does this problem impact, how do they see the problem, and what are the potential barriers and enablers of your research delivering meaningful outcomes.
- Identify and connect with the next users and end users of your research from the start - Ask yourself what needs to change as a result of your research, and who will make these changes.
- Identify what type(s) of impact you are trying to achieve - Are health, economic, social, cultural or environmental impacts important to you and your stakeholders, are your expectations aligned.
- Measure and track your impact - Use a framework or logic model to document your intended impacts and track your progress towards your goals.
- Communicate your impact, it's key! – Learn how to showcase your research for different audiences and celebrate your achievements.
Want to learn more? Visit the HTSA Spotlight Series web page on Research Impact or click on the links below to watch one of the 4 webinars:
Did you miss our other top tip social media posts on Consumer Engagement and Implementation Science? Visit our News page on the Health Translation SA website to read more.
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Thinking differently about Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funding
On Friday 25 March, we had the pleasure of co-hosting the inaugural SA MRFF Summit, along with Southern Adelaide Local Health Network and Flinders University. The SA MRFF Summit brought together leading health professionals and researchers to explore ways to attract MRFF funding and support MRFF initiatives for the benefit of the South Australian community.
Over 50 attendees and 144 online viewers were able to hear from an impressive line-up of speakers including:
- Prof Christine Jorm: An update on the new MRFF strategy and priorities
- A/Prof Erin Symonds and Prof Geraint Rogers: Learnings from their own experiences successfully applying for MRFF funding
- Prof Karen Reynolds, Stephen Blakeney, Dr Andrew Milligan, Olivia White: An overview of the various MRFF funding schemes administered by MTPConnect
- Prof Jon Karnon, Prof David Watson, Prof Steve Wesselingh: A panel discussion around how to improve SA’s MRFF success rate, chaired by Wendy Keech
The key take home message from the event was that the MRFF is different to other schemes, so you need to think and act differently. Attendees also learned that the MRFF want to hear about your success stories and concerns, so don’t hesitate to put things in writing and contact them.
In case you missed it, a recording of the Summit is available on the Flinders University website.
Photo: Prof Geraint Rogers presenting at the MRFF Summit
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Have you received Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funding? Let the MRFF know about your research
The MRFF would like to hear about the achievements of researchers who have received MRFF funding for their work.
Write to the MRFF about your research outcomes at: MRFF@health.gov.au.
Remember to include information about how your research outcomes have made a difference, for example, their application in programs, clinical practice or guidelines, or published findings.
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We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on Health Translation SA monthly newsletters
You're invited to share your thoughts on what you currently like, or would like to see more of, in our monthly newsletter so we can make it as relevant and useful to you!
Completing the survey is anonymous and should only take 5-10 minutes.
Survey responses will close Friday, 6 May 2022.
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Apply now for the Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA) program
The Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Healthcare (CEIH) is sponsoring up to 30 employees from the public and private health sector in South Australia to become a ‘CHIA’.
CHIA is a professional certification program in health informatics managed by the Australasian Institute of Digital Health. CHIA formally recognises the knowledge and skills of those working in health informatics and digital health.
Applications close Monday, 9 May 2022.
To read more and apply for a CEIH sponsored position, visit the CEIH website.
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Help shape how the information on clinical trials and human research is shared with the community
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) is conducting consultations on the National One Stop Shop for health-related human research approvals.
The goal of the National One Stop Shop and National Clinical Trials Front Door is to make it easier for patients, researchers, industry representatives and sponsors to find, conduct, participate and invest in high quality and ethical research in Australia.
The Commission is exploring options for building awareness of research participation and has published a consumer survey for people to have their say. People from across the community are encouraged to complete the consumer survey. Your experiences and insights will help inform the Commission's understanding of community expectations for research participation.
To find out more, visit the Commission's web page, or contact their Health and Medical Research team at HMR@safetyandquality.gov.au if you have questions.
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The search is on again for South Australia's top scientists, researchers, innovators and educators
Nominations are now open for the 2022 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.
These Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) including remarkable teachers who are inspiring and training the future STEMM workforce.
Nominations are now open for six award categories:
- South Australian Scientist of the Year
- South Australian Innovator of the Year
- STEMM Educator of the Year
- Primary or Secondary School Level
- University or Registered Training Organisation Level
- Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration
- PhD Research Excellence.
The South Australian Scientist of the Year and Innovator of the Year will each receive a prize to the value of $25,000. Other category winners will receive a prize to the value of $10,000 to use towards their career development.
Nominations close 5pm Tuesday, 24 May 2022.
For more information, guidelines and to apply, visit scienceawards.sa.gov.au.
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Community Engagement in Research - The next Consumer Information Session is coming soon!
Join us for an information session outlining the principles of consumer and community engagement, the types of roles for consumers partnering in research and resources to help consumers participate.
- Location: SAHMRI Building (North Terrace, Adelaide)
- Date: Thursday 12 May
- Time: 1:00-2:30pm
This session is open to current members of the Community Interest Register, as well as anyone interested to join the Register who wants to learn more about consumer engagement in research.
To secure your place at the information session, please email community@sahmri.com.
To learn more about the Register, visit the Health Translation SA website.
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Other upcoming events & training
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Are you thinking of applying for one of the Cooperative Research Centres Project Grants? Don't miss these upcoming sessions!
Round 13 of the Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P) Grants is currently open and offers an attractive, non-dilutive way to develop a new technology, product or service through partnership between research and industry.
There are two upcoming sessions that you may be interested in taking part in if you are considering applying, either in this round or in the future:
- CRC-P Grants Roundtable Session in Adelaide, 19 April, which we are hosting specifically for the medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, biotech and digital health sectors. Please see further details below.
- CRC-P 1:1 Consultation Sessions in Adelaide, 19 April, with CRC-P expert, Duncan Macinnis. Again, this is specifically for the medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, biotech and digital health sectors.
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Join the next Medical Research Future Fund webinar
You're invited to join the next MRFF webinar at 10:30am (AEST) on 12 April 2022.
Hosted by Dr Masha Somi, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Medical Research Office, within the Department of Health, you will have the opportunity to hear about:
- the MRFF 2nd 10-year Investment Plan;
- MRFF programs with a focus on commercialising and translating medical research and medical innovation outputs and outcomes; and
- recent MRFF programs, news, grant opportunities and outcomes.
Guest speaker Ms Sue MacLeman, Chair of the MTPConnect Board, will talk about progress being made with commercialising and translating medical research and medical innovation outputs and outcomes in Australia. As part of this, Ms MacLeman will discuss the programs being deployed to accelerate the growth of the medical technologies, biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals sector, including those funded through the MRFF.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
To register for the webinar, click here.
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New grant opportunities regularly available throughout the year!
National Health and Medical Research Institute (NHMRC)
Within Australia, the NHMRC is the major funding body for health and medical research. There are a range of funding schemes that have different focuses and purposes. To see all of the funding schemes available, click here.
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
The MRFF provides grants of financial assistance to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of Australians. The NHMRC works with the Department of Health to implement disbursements from the MRFF. To see what MRFF grant opportunities are currently open and their status, click here.
Many of our partner organisations have a dedicated person that can assist you in applying for MRFF grant opportunities. For a list of South Australian based MRFF Support Leads, click here.
Follow us on Linked In and Twitter to learn about other funding opportunities that become available throughout the year.
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Do you have an event or story you would like to share in our Newsletter?
We would love to hear from you!
Come and chat to the Health Translation SA team on Level 8 in the SAHMRI Building (left of the central staircase) or contact Alex Harris, our Strategic Communications Officer, via email: communications@healthtranslationsa.org.au.
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Connect with us in the links below
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