A project to create a secure, collaborative platform to reshape health data research and analytics in Australia, will be established by QUT leading an Australian Data Science Network team in partnership with the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC).
As part of its Advanced Analytics in Healthcare initiative, ARDC has partnered with the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN) team — comprising researchers from QUT, Curtin University and the University of Technology Sydney, to develop an Advanced Analytics and AI Resource Hub.
Delivered through ARDC's People Research Data Commons, the Hub will provide health researchers and professionals with advanced analytics tools, rich data cataloguing, and integrated access to sensitive health data via trusted, scalable national infrastructure.
The $750,000 (cash and in kind) project is the second phase of ARDC's effort to transform Australia's health data research infrastructure.
Phase one of the program was completed in 2024 and engaged Australia's research community through surveys and workshops to identify key health data analytics infrastructure needs.
QUT Distinguished Professor Kerrie Mengersen (pictured above), from QUT's School of Mathematical Sciences and director of the QUT Centre for Data Science who is leading the ADSN team, said they had heard what the researchers had reported through their ideas, concerns, and needs during phase one of the project.
"Now we aim to take that input and create something truly special: a resource hub that reflects the real-world challenges and aspiration of the health research community," Professor Mengersen said.
ARDC director Dr Adrian Burton said advanced analytics and AI represented the leading edge of health research.
"In a fast-moving technology space, health and bio-medical researchers are looking for a tested, curated set of tools, guides, and resources so they can quickly harness the power of AI and modelling in their work," Dr Burton said.
"Australia's healthcare system and ultimately all of us who use it will be the beneficiaries. ARDC is very enthusiastic about this partnership with QUT and the Australian Data Science Network."
