Public Health Seminar Series

The School of Population Health Seminar Series offers an opportunity for staff, students and others with an interest in public health research to learn more about the research and related activity of the School. Seminars are held most Wednesdays between 12pm and 1pm and are available online through Microsoft Teams. If you would like more information about the Seminar Series, or if you have suggestions regarding speakers and or topics (including your own) please contact Michele Rains-Joseph. Upcoming seminars may be found at Events.

Watch seminar videos

Using CCTV and Machine Learning to Identify Crisis Behaviours at a Suicide Hotspot

Dr Sandersan (Sandy) Onie is a post-doctoral fellow at the Black Dog Institute and the Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a major public health problem in Australia, being the leading cause of death for people under 45 years of age in Australia. Studies show that of all suicides, 30% occur in public places with many occurring in frequently used locations called hotspots. (Presented: 1 September, 2021)

From a UNSW SPHCMer to a global health researcher: a case study

A/Prof Tuan Anh Nguyen is an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow and a Principal Research Fellow at the National Ageing Research Institute and Swinburne University of Technology

In this presentation, A/Prof Tuan Anh Nguyen will share his experience on how to engage with stakeholders to translate research findings to change health policy and practice at a global level. (Presented: 25 August, 2021)

Bringing wula (voices) into Aboriginal health research

Dr Michelle Kennedy is a Wiradjuri woman and an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow in the Thurru Indigenous Health Unit, School of Medicine and Public Health, at the University of Newcastle

Dr Kennedy is partnering with Aboriginal communities to place the power in their hands and address an important area to improve Aboriginal health. (Presented: 11 August, 2021)

Is it the right time to talk about end of life care

Joel Rhee associate professor of general practice at the University of Wollongong, adjunct associate professor at the School of Population Health UNSW

Despite the fact that death is a universal human experience, we do not seem to be well prepared for death. Many people do not talk to their health providers about their preferences for end-of-life care, and the period preceding death is often characterised by unmet care needs, inadequately controlled symptoms, psychosocial distress, caregiver burden, unplanned hospital admissions and the use of invasive investigations and procedures. This seminar will discuss the potential solutions to this problem, as well as their limitations. (Presented: 4 August, 2021)

Making evidence and policy in public health emergencies: Introducing an ‘evidence-making intervention’ approach

Dr Kari Lancaster, Scientia Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Research in Health at UNSW and Honorary Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The question of what constitutes evidence – and ‘evidence-enough’– for intervening in the unknown is a vital contemporary concern. In this seminar, we draw on ideas from Science and Technology Studies to consider critically how evidence translates, and the complexities of how evidence comes to bear on decision-making in public health emergencies, when there is an imperative to act in the face of uncertainty. (Presented: 28 July, 2021)

World Drowning Prevention Day 2021: Anyone can drown, no one should

UNSW Beach Safety Research Group - Dr Amy Peden, Dr Jaz Lawes, Professor Rob Brander, Dr Mitch Harley, Mr William Koon

In this seminar we will reflect on the global burden of drowning, hear from a coastal drowning prevention practitioner about prevention efforts in Australia, learn about beach safety research and future frontiers for the rip current hazard, including the role of remote camera imaging, and wrap up with a reflection on the remaining gaps in drowning prevention science and where to go from here. (Presented: 21 July, 2021)

Join us - connecting all Australians to the national research effort

Bruce Neal Professor of Medicine and Executive Director of The George Institute Australia, UNSW Sydney

Recruiting people into research studies has hampered Australia’s ability to reach its research potential and remain globally competitive. But evidence suggests most Australians are actually interested in and willing to participate in health and medical research, they just don’t get offered the opportunity. The Join Us register is a digital resource designed to engage these Australians in research that addresses the country’s priority health issues. (Presented: 14 July, 2021)

The COVID-19 Outcomes Study

A/Prof Bette Liu, Epidemiologist, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

This seminar will outline findings from a study that was established in collaboration with NSW Health to quantify health outcomes, such as hospitalisations and recovery from COVID-19 infection in NSW. The study uses linked data to provide epidemiological insights into COVID-19 to inform public health prevention strategies. (Presented: 23 June, 2021)

Does alcohol-involved homicide increase with unemployment? Implications for the COVID-19 era

Dr Anurag Sharma, Director, Health Leadership & Management Program, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

We use information from 7,189 homicide incidents in Australia and perform time series analysis to test for a long run relationship between economic conditions (proxied by unemployment rate) and alcohol involved homicide offending and victimisation, and subsequently also identify any short run effects on this relationship from shocks to the economy. (Presented: 16 June, 2021)

What have death certificates ever done for us?

A/Prof Fred Sitas, Director Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, Conjoint A/Prof School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

This seminar will address the role of death notifications and how they have evolved over 400 years to play a key role in understanding and solving public health problems. Demography, epidemiology, environmental, occupational and maternal health reforms owe its origins to death notifications. (Presented: 9 June, 2021)

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