Research
UNSW’s Medicine & Health research directly changes health policy and practice to meaningfully improve health and wellbeing through collaboration and engagement.
Our research is striking in terms of its impact and breadth. Our point of difference is understanding the fundamental mechanisms and drivers of poor health, particularly in marginalised and underrepresented communities. Through our research, we've been able to directly influence health policy and practice, as well as improve health and wellbeing. It's our commitment to collaboration, excellence, community engagement, and impact that drives our research.
Our core research excellence is organised by themes designed to deliver meaningful impact—they're areas where we excel in advancing medicine and health, not only eliminating health disparities but also fostering social wellbeing. We make a difference in everyday lives affected by:
- Cancer
- Infectious Disease, Immunity and Inflammation
- Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction
- Cardiac, Vascular and Metabolic Medicine
- Health Systems
Our research also excels in genomics and genetics, data analytics, information and medical technologies.
We develop innovative approaches to broader engagement in research practices that generate change including strengthening our biomedical and molecular sciences, developing greater connections to allied health disciplines, engaging in population health research that addresses greatest need.
Most recently our new strategic initiatives include:
Clinical Research Unit
UNSW Medicine & Health Clinical Research Unit recently appointed Dr Parisa Glass as the inaugural Operations Director. Over the next 7 months, the CRU will commence planning and implementation of processes with the aim to facilitate high impact academic clinical trials at UNSW.
The Unit will work in partnership with existing services within UNSW Medicine & Health and will coordinate infrastructure and expertise from across UNSW and affiliate networks. Over time, the platform of services provided through CRU will include academic support which will assist with developing high-quality research proposals followed by operational support for delivery of clinical trials.
Health Systems Research
Our new Health Systems Research Theme’s mission is to develop and implement high-quality evidence to improve individual and population health for Australians and the global community, regardless of socioeconomic position. Its aims are to identify and respond to significant challenges that will improve the quality, efficiency, equity and value of health care; and to develop, implement and evaluate responses to these challenges. This Theme is led by Professor of Health Systems Sallie Pearson, a pharmacoepidemiologist and health service researcher with 20 years’ experience in quality use of medicines research.
We are also creating a new UNSW Centre for Future Health Systems with the support of a multi-million-dollar grant from the Ian Potter Foundation. The Centre will lead to transformational change of the Australian health system which is still stuck with historical and often out-dated practices. We want our health system to better serve Australian communities in the 21st century. It’s a complex undertaking that requires an interdisciplinary approach which includes the health sector as well as experts in law, business, education, economics, engineering and data.
The new Centre will see UNSW collaborate with clinicians, local health districts, industry, government, academic institutions and, importantly, the Australian community. It will identify key areas of reform to design and deliver solutions that will improve the performance of all aspects of the national healthcare system. The focus of the Centre will include everything from hospital payment systems and clinician training to the swift and efficient delivery of new therapeutics and treatments.