Students can elect to undertake a research project (PHCM9148 (6 UOC), PHCM9144 (12 UOC), PHCM9150 (18 UOC)) as part of their coursework degree. The project comprises an in-depth study of a public health, health management or international health issue or topic. The project may be in the form of a small-scale research study, a case study, a program evaluation or a report on field placement. Students wishing to enrol in a project must obtain permission.
View our Research Projects slide deck and the research projects available in the school.
Available research projects
If you're interested in undertaking one of the research projects listed please contact the academic member of staff directly.
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Project Overview
This project aims to develop geospatial models to provide risk predictions for scabies and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Sanma, Shefa and Tafea provinces, Vanuatu. Using parasitological data collected during an integrated survey and control program, in conjunction with available bioclimatic and environmental data, the student will develop models to estimate the risk of scabies and STH infections across these three provinces. Students project proposals can be developed to align with the 12UoC or 18UoC project time commitment, with consideration of the entry level research knowledge and skills of the student.
The ideal candidate
This project would suit a student that is keen to develop their skills in R and apply them to a real-world scenario. This project will suit a student who has completed the Regression Methods in Biostatistics (PHCM9517) and/or the Epidemiological Methods course (PHCM9518). Ideally the student will have some knowledge of scabies, soil-transmitted helminths and neglected tropical diseases, but this is not essential.
Contact person
For more information or expressions of interest for either of these projects, students should contact Dr Adam Bartlett (Research Fellow, NTD Research Group) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery (Head of the NTD Research Group at the Kirby Institute).
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Project overview
A large trial that took place in the Dak Lak province of Vietnam found that minority ethnic groups were more likely to be infected with hookworm (Necator americanus) than others. This project aims to understand what factors put different ethnic groups at different risk of hookworm and other soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections. Within this main research question, we wish to explore sociodemographic factors (income, education, employment, housing, etc.), WaSH factors (access and use), awareness and knowledge of STH (including control and prevention methods, and control programs within the community), practices (including cultural and agricultural), and beliefs. This project will involve the analysis of qualitative data resulting from focus group discussions/in-depth interviews, and quantitative analysis from questionnaires and would, therefore, suit a student that has experience or has attended courses in this field, such as the Qualitative Research Methods course (PHCM9120).
Contact Person: For more information or expressions of interest, students should contact Dr. Marta Palmeirim (Research Fellow, NTD Research Group) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery (Head of the NTD Research Group at the Kirby Institute).
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Project overview
This project aims to conduct a comprehensive scoping literature review on existing diagnostic methods used for onchocerciasis, examining their performance, advantages, disadvantages, and identifying gaps in current knowledge. This review will serve as a stepping stone for future studies comparing diagnostic tools for onchocerciasis.
The student will systematically search scientific databases for relevant studies on onchocerciasis diagnostics. This project will involve synthesizing data from published studies, reviews, and reports, making it ideal for a student interested in learning the critical skill of conducting literature reviews. The project will suit best a student who has experience or has attended courses on literature review methodologies, such as the Epidemiological Methods course (PHCM9518), and/or is keen to develop their expertise in this field.
Contact Person: For more information or expressions of interest, students should contact Dr. Marta Palmeirim (Research Fellow, NTD Research Group) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery (Head of the NTD Research Group at the Kirby Institute).
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Project Overview
A research priority setting (RPS) exercise is a collective activity to reach consensus among interest-holders (research, healthcare workers, patients and public, funders and policy makers) on what research should be prioritised in a particular context, and for a well-defined scope. There are several projects all aiming to improve conduct and rigour of RPS in health and medicine through meta-research (research on research).
Proposed research activities for student project
Students project proposals can be developed through discussion to align with 12UoC or 18UoC project time commitment. Current focus areas of meta-research for which students might decide to choose from are: RPS on climate change and health, RPS by WHO, ethical aspects of RPS. Students will either conduct systematic reviews or analyse documents or conduct qualitative research. The work would involve working with an international team of researchers. – as such might require attending meetings in evenings.
The ideal candidate
This project would suit a student that is keen to get a flavour of hands-on methodological research in public/global health. This project will suit a student who has completed the Applied Research Methods for Public Health (PHCM9132) or PHCM9518 Epidemiological Methods or PHCM9381 Policy Studies or PHCM9331 Ethics & Law in Public Health, or PHCM9120 Qualitative Research Methods, has an eye to detail and critical thinking skills.
Contact Person:
For more information or expressions of interest, students should contact Dr. Soumyadeep Bhaumik (Head, Meta-research and Evidence Synthesis Unit, Health Systems Science, George Institute for Global Health and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, UNSW).
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Project overview
Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) has a protective effect on the incidence of overdose and other acute harms. Despite these health benefits, Australian research has found that treatment cessation is high, with over half of all people who receive OAT disengaging from these services within twelve months. There is evidence that attrition is even higher among young people. This project aims to explore the barriers people with opioid dependence face when engaging with OAT. Using open-response and quantitative data collected in a NSW survey including 405 adults with opioid dependence, the student will model the barriers participants faced when considering engaging with OAT.
Proposed research activities for student project
Student project proposals can be developed to align with the 6 UoC or 12 UoC project time commitment, with consideration of the entry level research knowledge and skills of the student.
The ideal candidate
The project would suit a student that is keen to develop their survey analysis skills, in Stata or R, and apply them to a real-world scenario. This project will suit a student who has completed Foundations of Epidemiology PHCM9794 and/or Foundations of Biostatistics PHCM9795. Ideally the student will have some knowledge of health policy. Knowledge of alcohol and other drugs epidemiology is encouraged but not essential.
Contact person
For more information or expresses of interest for this project, students should contact Dr Chrianna Bharat (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre) and Dr Michala Kowalski (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre).