Students can elect to undertake a research project (PHCM9148 (6 UOC), PHCM9144 (12 UOC), PHCM9150 (18 UOC)) as part of their coursework degree. The project comprises an in-depth study of a public health, health management or international health issue or topic. The project may be in the form of a small-scale research study, a case study, a program evaluation or a report on field placement. Students wishing to enrol in a project must obtain permission.
View our Research Projects slide deck and the research projects available in the school.
Available research projects
If you're interested in undertaking one of the research projects listed please contact the academic member of staff directly.
Geospatial analysis of scabies and soil-transmitted helmith infections in Vaunatu (12 or 18 UoC)
Project Overview
This project aims to develop geospatial models to provide risk predictions for scabies and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Sanma, Shefa and Tafea provinces, Vanuatu. Using parasitological data collected during an integrated survey and control program, in conjunction with available bioclimatic and environmental data, the student will develop models to estimate the risk of scabies and STH infections across these three provinces. Students project proposals can be developed to align with the 12UoC or 18UoC project time commitment, with consideration of the entry level research knowledge and skills of the student.
The ideal candidate
This project would suit a student that is keen to develop their skills in R and apply them to a real-world scenario. This project will suit a student who has completed the Regression Methods in Biostatistics (PHCM9517) and/or the Epidemiological Methods course (PHCM9518). Ideally the student will have some knowledge of scabies, soil-transmitted helminths and neglected tropical diseases, but this is not essential.
Contact
For more information or expressions of interest for either of these projects, students should contact Dr Adam Bartlett (Research Fellow, NTD Research Group) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery (Head of the NTD Research Group at the Kirby Institute).
Exploring risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infections among ethnic minority groups in Dak Lak province, Vietnam (12 or 18 UoC)
Project overview
A large trial that took place in the Dak Lak province of Vietnam found that minority ethnic groups were more likely to be infected with hookworm (Necator americanus) than others. This project aims to understand what factors put different ethnic groups at different risk of hookworm and other soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections. Within this main research question, we wish to explore sociodemographic factors (income, education, employment, housing, etc.), WaSH factors (access and use), awareness and knowledge of STH (including control and prevention methods, and control programs within the community), practices (including cultural and agricultural), and beliefs. This project will involve the analysis of qualitative data resulting from focus group discussions/in-depth interviews, and quantitative analysis from questionnaires and would, therefore, suit a student that has experience or has attended courses in this field, such as the Qualitative Research Methods course (PHCM9120).
Contact
For more information or expressions of interest, students should contact Dr. Marta Palmeirim (Research Fellow, NTD Research Group) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery(Head of the NTD Research Group at the Kirby Institute).
Investigating diagnostic methods for onchocerciasis: a literature review (12 or 18 UoC)
Project overview
This project aims to conduct a comprehensive scoping literature review on existing diagnostic methods used for onchocerciasis, examining their performance, advantages, disadvantages, and identifying gaps in current knowledge. This review will serve as a stepping stone for future studies comparing diagnostic tools for onchocerciasis.
The student will systematically search scientific databases for relevant studies on onchocerciasis diagnostics. This project will involve synthesizing data from published studies, reviews, and reports, making it ideal for a student interested in learning the critical skill of conducting literature reviews. The project will suit best a student who has experience or has attended courses on literature review methodologies, such as the Epidemiological Methods course (PHCM9518), and/or is keen to develop their expertise in this field.
Contact
For more information or expressions of interest, students should contact Dr. Marta Palmeirim (Research Fellow, NTD Research Group) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery (Head of the NTD Research Group at the Kirby Institute).
Research priority setting in health and medicine (12 or 18 UoC)
Project Overview
A research priority setting (RPS) exercise is a collective activity to reach consensus among interest-holders (research, healthcare workers, patients and public, funders and policy makers) on what research should be prioritised in a particular context, and for a well-defined scope. There are several projects all aiming to improve conduct and rigour of RPS in health and medicine through meta-research (research on research).
Proposed research activities for student project
Students project proposals can be developed through discussion to align with 12UoC or 18UoC project time commitment. Current focus areas of meta-research for which students might decide to choose from are: RPS on climate change and health, RPS by WHO, ethical aspects of RPS. Students will either conduct systematic reviews or analyse documents or conduct qualitative research. The work would involve working with an international team of researchers. – as such might require attending meetings in evenings.
The ideal candidate
This project would suit a student that is keen to get a flavour of hands-on methodological research in public/global health. This project will suit a student who has completed the Applied Research Methods for Public Health (PHCM9132) or PHCM9518 Epidemiological Methods or PHCM9381 Policy Studies or PHCM9331 Ethics & Law in Public Health, or PHCM9120 Qualitative Research Methods, has an eye to detail and critical thinking skills.
Contact
For more information or expressions of interest, students should contact Dr. Soumyadeep Bhaumik(Head, Meta-research and Evidence Synthesis Unit, Health Systems Science, George Institute for Global Health and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, UNSW).
Exploring the role of policy in opioid agonist therapy engagement
Project overview
Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) has a protective effect on the incidence of overdose and other acute harms. Despite these health benefits, Australian research has found that treatment cessation is high, with over half of all people who receive OAT disengaging from these services within twelve months. There is evidence that attrition is even higher among young people. This project aims to explore the barriers people with opioid dependence face when engaging with OAT. Using open-response and quantitative data collected in a NSW survey including 405 adults with opioid dependence, the student will model the barriers participants faced when considering engaging with OAT.
Proposed research activities for student project
Student project proposals can be developed to align with the 6 UoC or 12 UoC project time commitment, with consideration of the entry level research knowledge and skills of the student.
The ideal candidate
The project would suit a student that is keen to develop their survey analysis skills, in Stata or R, and apply them to a real-world scenario. This project will suit a student who has completed Foundations of Epidemiology PHCM9794 and/or Foundations of Biostatistics PHCM9795. Ideally the student will have some knowledge of health policy. Knowledge of alcohol and other drugs epidemiology is encouraged but not essential.
Contact person
For more information or expresses of interest for this project, students should contact Dr Chrianna Bharat (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre) and Dr Michala Kowalski (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre).
Geospatial analysis of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in Angola (12-18 UoC)
Project overview
This project aims to develop geospatial models to provide risk predictions for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Angola. Using parasitological data collected during community surveys in 2018/2019 across 15 of 18 provinces in Angola, in conjunction with available bioclimatic and environmental data, the student will develop models to estimate the risk of schistosomiasis and STH infections across the country. This project will suit a student who has completed the Regression Methods in Biostatistics course (PHCM9517) and/or the Epidemiological Methods course (PHCM9518) and is keen to develop their epidemiological, biostatistics and coding skills in R (and ArcGIS) and apply them to a real-world scenario. Ideally the student will have some knowledge of schistosomiasis, STHs and neglected tropical diseases, but this is not essential.
Contact
For more information or expressions of interest for this project, students should contact Dr Adam Bartlett(Senior Research Fellow, Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Group, Kirby Institute) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery(Head, Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Group, Kirby Institute).
Analysing passive and active surveillance data for scabies to inform control strategies in Vanuatu (6UoC)
Project Overview
Since 2021, an integrated neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) control program has been in operation in Sanma, Shefa and Tafea provinces of Vanuatu that targeted skin NTDs (yaws and scabies) and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). This project aims to collate and analyse all existing data sources for scabies across routine health facility reporting, reporting to the Ministry of Health, cases detected during mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns and cases detected through prevalence surveys linked to MDA campaigns. This project would suit a student who has completed the Regression Methods in Biostatistics course (PHCM9517) and/or the Epidemiological Methods course (PHCM9518) and keen to develop their epidemiological and biostatistics skills and apply them to a real-world scenario. Ideally the student will have some knowledge of scabies and NTDs, but this is not essential.
Contact
For more information or expressions of interest for this project, students should contact Dr Adam Bartlett(Senior Research Fellow, Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Group, Kirby Institute) and Professor Susana Vaz Nery(Head, Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Group, Kirby Institute).
A scoping literature review of models of virtual care in the community for people with chronic disease
Project overview
Chronic diseases are becoming more prevalent and are a major burden on population health. Better access to early intervention is needed to prevent hospitalisation and severe outcomes. Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) provides community-based nursing, allied health and primary care for people with chronic and complex diseases, however, little is known about the best clinically- and cost-effective mechanism for incorporating specialised care in a virtual care model. A virtual model of care may form a much-needed intermediary point between primary care and hospital care and could lead to more effective early intervention to prevent acute hospitalisation.
Proposed research activities
The project can be developed to align with PHCM9148 (6 UOC) or PHCM9144 (12 UOC) Research Project, in consultation with the supervisory team in the UNSW School of Population Health. The research activity in this project will be scoping literature review to describe different international models for virtual care in the community for people with chronic diseases, covering both published academic literature and grey literature. This project is a collaboration with healthcare leaders in WSLHD and the evidence its generates will be used to support the development of virtual community-based care models for people living with chronic disease.
The ideal candidate
This project would suit a student who is keen to contribute to innovation in healthcare services and preventative health via community-based care. This will be an opportunity to learn how to conduct a scoping literature review and prior experience with literature reviews in not essential.
Contact person
For more information please contact Dr Claire Deakin: c.deakin@unsw.edu.au
A scoping literature review of multidisciplinary care models for severe obesity and metabolic syndrome
Project overview
The prevalence of severe obesity and metabolic syndrome has increased in Australia in the last 15 years, with approximately 1 in 20 Australian adults having Class III obesity (body mass index > 40). With obesity trends increasing for adults in Western Sydney, new models of care are needed in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) for managing the health of people with severe obesity and metabolic syndrome. A model comprising a coordinated multidisciplinary team may improve the health of these people and reduce the need for hospitalisation. However, little is known about how such a model of care should best be defined for WSLHD.
Proposed research activities
This project is a collaboration between UNSW School of Population Health and healthcare leaders in WSLHD and can be developed to align with PHCM9148 (6 UOC) or PHCM9144 (12 UOC) Research Project, in consultation with the supervisory team. The student will conduct a scoping literature review to describe different international models of interdisciplinary care for severe obesity and metabolic community, including which healthcare professionals are needed in the multidisciplinary team, and when and how to exit patients from the service. It is anticipated that this literature review will span both academic literature and grey literature. The evidence synthesised in this research will be used to inform future models of care in WSLHD.
The ideal candidate
This project would suit a student who is keen to contribute to improvements in healthcare delivery, while learning vital methodological skills. Prior experience with literature reviews is helpful but not essential. A student who is keen to develop their skills in conducting a scoping literature review would be ideal.
Contact person
For more information please contact Dr Claire Deakin: c.deakin@unsw.edu.au