The University of Notre Dame Australia's Institute for Health Research (IHR) and Curtin University's School of Population Health have formalised a new research partnership aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations.
The collaboration brings together leading researchers with shared interests in understanding how social disadvantage influences health across the lifespan.
As part of the partnership, Curtin University's Professor Gavin Pereira and Associate Professor Gizachew Tessema have been appointed Adjunct Professorial Research Fellows at Notre Dame's Institute for Health Research.
In a reciprocal appointment, Professor Osvaldo Almeida, Director of the IHR, has joined Curtin's School of Population Health as an Adjunct Professor.
Professor Almeida said the partnership reflects a strong commitment by both universities to address complex health challenges through rigorous, collaborative research.
"Our research groups share a long-standing interest in improving health outcomes for people experiencing social disadvantage," Professor Almeida said. "By working together, we can support more Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, strengthen our research capabilities and develop projects that deliver real benefits to vulnerable communities." Professor Pereira said Curtin was pleased to deepen its collaboration with the IHR through the new appointments.
"This partnership creates exciting opportunities to combine our expertise in population health, epidemiology and health inequities," Professor Pereira said. "We are aiming to generate evidence that informs policy and practice and ultimately improves the lives of those most at risk."
The collaboration will focus initially on identifying a shared research theme that will underpin joint activities, student engagement and future funding opportunities. The partnership is expected to strengthen Western Australia's research capacity in public and population health and enhance both institutions' contributions to addressing inequity across the life course.
