Students Get A Taste Of Research Translation Through Summer Scholarship Projects
Health Translation SA's inaugural Summer Research Scholarship program has proven to be an outstanding success, with immediate benefits for both the organisation and the participating students.
In collaboration with the University of Adelaide, three undergraduate psychology students, Alex Palazov, Amy Randell, and Hannah Freeman, are spending their summer holidays contributing to priority projects within the South Australian Health and Medical Research ecosystem.
Amy and Alex have been working on an innovative new project as part of the Northern Adelaide Health and Wellbeing Partnership to help better understand the full scope of research activities occurring in the north of Adelaide.
Meanwhile, Hannah is has been immersed in the important area of Consumer and Community Involvement in research by supporting a strategic review of HTSA’s Community Interest Register.
For the students, the unique opportunity to further their learning by contributing to real-world projects was too good to pass up.
"Being provided an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a local research translation project that would not only teach me a great deal but have positive health impacts within South Australia felt like an unreal opportunity”, says Alex.
Health Translation SA, located within the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, serves as a catalyst for collaboration, focusing on accelerating research findings into healthcare policy and practice.
It’s no easy task- something that the students have quickly learnt in their time embedded within the small, but dedicated team.
“I’ve learnt that without truly passionate people, research translation is near impossible” reflects Amy.
“Research translation requires a unique level of collaboration from partners, researchers, clinicians, policy makers and consumers. Health Translation SA is the driving force in this conversation”.
In addition to broadening their knowledge and understanding of health research translation, the students agree that their time embedded with the Health Translation SA team has furthered their personal and professional development.
“The Scholarship has enhanced my self-awareness, independence and initiative, as well as my problem solving, public speaking and critical thinking abilities” says Hannah.
“It’s fostered a sense of personal growth and confidence.”
For Health Translation SA’s Executive Director, Wendy Keech, the value for both the students and the organisation is clear.
“We’ve been able to use these potential research leaders of the future to help drive the priority projects of today.”
Health Translation SA plans to offer the Summer Research Scholarship as an annual opportunity, aiming to collaborate with other academic partners and stakeholders while exploring interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
