Exploring ways for health researchers to collaborate is at the heart of a new UTS research institute.
Professor Angela Dawson. Photo: Andy Roberts
The UTS Research Institute for Innovative Solutions for Wellbeing and Health (INSIGHT) is an emerging flagship research collaboration within the Faculty of Health.
The Faculty of Health's Associate Dean (Research), Professor Angela Dawson, says that the new Institute will draw on existing capabilities and explore areas of emerging research, with a strong focus on wellbeing, and taking multi- and transdisciplinary approaches to solve wicked problems in health.
“We’re becoming a convening space for change in health and wellbeing. Researchers can come together – regardless of what faculty or school or research centre they work in – to form collaboratives that address problems and generate new knowledge to benefit our communities.”
In its beginnings, INSIGHT will focus on six key research themes: ageing, aged care and dementia; women’s and children’s health; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; global health; palliative care and chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes; and disability and mental health.
“As we grow, we’re looking to extend our collaborations and engagements well beyond UTS,” Professor Dawson says.
“We’re continuing to explore existing relationships with local universities. We’re working very hard to realise new partnerships with industry in the broadest sense. That includes health professionals in the public and private sector and especially in the not-for-profit space.”
The Institute will also leverage the substantial existing capabilities within the Faculty of Health.
“We want to bring people into INSIGHT to keep building our methodological expertise. Bio-statistics, data science, health economics, clinical trials and implementation science are all key areas where we have leadership within existing research centres such as IMPACCT and CHERE,” Professor Dawson says.
The Institute will also be exploring emerging areas of research such as the multifaceted heath impacts of climate change particularly around mitigation and disaster resilience.
Read the full article: Collaboration to transform health and well-being