Current Projects List:

• Capacity Development in Indigenous Public Health
• The Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network
• Multisite Evaluation of Indigenous Health Teaching in Medicine
• NHMRC Short Term Exchange – Process Evaluation of Indigenous Health Teaching
• From Colonisation to Conciliation: A collaborative examination of social work practice with Indigenous populations

Past Projects List:

• Medical Deans Indigenous Health Project
• Kulin Wellbeing at Coranderrk: An online role-play
• Curriculum Innovations in Indigenous Australian Public Health

Click here for a full list of our research projects or to go to Teaching pages

Current Projects Details:

PROJECT NAME Capacity Development in Indigenous Public Health
STAFF Ian Anderson, Bill Genat
COLLABORATORS Institute of Koorie Education (IKE) at Deakin University
FUNDING SOURCE Public Health Education and Research Program (PHERP), Commonwealth Department of Health Ageing
DATE January 2006 - December 2008
PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project is directed towards further development of public health capacity in Aboriginal health. The projects builds upon the previous PHERP Curriculum Innovations Project (see below) in order to consolidate community-based delivery of the MPH to a national Indigenous cohort, further develop the Indigenous health social science stream in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, build quality assurance processes in Indigenous public health curriculum nationally and to strengthen the national network of Indigenous public health teaching academics.
PROJECT AIMS Consolidate and extend the MPH program tailored specifically for Indigenous cohorts nationally, develop quality assurance processes for Indigenous health within MPH courses as part of the PHERP National Quality Framework by developing and disseminating a National Indigenous Public Health Curriculum Framework, strengthen national accessibility of public health training in Indigenous health within the PHERP program and consolidate and formalise the national network of Indigenous public health teaching academics and industry partners.
CURRENT OUTCOMES Development of six core competencies in Indigenous public health and their integration into the PHERP National Quality Framework in 2007; publication of the 2008 National Indigenous Public Health Curriculum Framework; completion of a feasibility study for a nationally-accessible MPH program specialising in Indigenous health completed with recommendations and a work-plan for implementation in 2009 and 2010; a national network of Indigenous public health professionals developed and held the Indigenous Public Health Teaching and Learning Forum in 2007 & 2008 with the Australian Network of Public Health Institutions (ANAPHI).
PUBLICATIONS

• PHERP Indigenous Public Health Capacity Development Project Reference Group 2008, National Indigenous Public Health Curriculum Framework, Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne
• Genat, W. 2007. A National Indigenous Public Health Curriculum Framework: a briefing paper.  Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
• Genat, B. 2007 Core Competencies and National Curriculum Development in Indigenous Public Health, In Touch, Public Health Association of Australia Newsletter, Aug 2007

PROJECT NAME The Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network
STAFF Odette Mazel (LIME Manager – Contact person), Laura Thompson (LIME Project Officer), Kate Butler (LIME Events Coordinator)
COLLABORATORS Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand and Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA)
FUNDING SOURCE Commonwealth Department for Health and Ageing (DoHA) and Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand
DATE 2007 - 2011
PROJECT DESCRIPTION The purpose of the LIME Network is to encourage and support collaboration and sustainable growth within medical schools in Australian and New Zealand in Indigenous health curriculum content and Indigenous student recruitment. The vision of the LIME Network is to be a dynamic peer network dedicated to ensuring the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning of Indigenous health and to building multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral linkages. The LIME Network recognises and promotes the primacy of Indigenous leadership and knowledge.  The LIME Network Project stemmed from the Medical Deans Indigenous Health Project which was completed in 2007.
PROJECT AIMS The LIME Network aims to support the development, delivery and evaluation of quality Indigenous health content in medical education and curricula with the aid of the CDAMS Indigenous Health Curriculum Framework and the Critical Reflection Tool. It also seeks to provide quality review, professional development, networking, capacity-building and advocacy functions.
OUTCOMES Outcomes of the Project will include the identification and review of quality and effective teaching and learning; professional development and support activities; increased professional recognition of Indigenous health as a discipline; and a forum and infrastructure for members to meet and collaborate. The LIME Connection conference is a major aspect of the project and is held every two years to bring together members of the LIME Network and people with an interest in Indigenous Health Education to meet, network and celebrate successes. The next LIME Connection III will be held in late 2009 in Melbourne. The LIME Network Project website has been established to provide further information sharing and resources.

PROJECT NAME Multisite Evaluation of Indigenous Health Teaching in Medicine
STAFF Shaun Ewen
COLLABORATORS Jenny Gough, Margo Collins, Suzanne Pitama, Paul Robertson, Jacinta Elston
FUNDING SOURCE Internal University of Melbourne grant (matched by partner institutions)
DATE 2008-2009
PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project will involve focus groups of students at The University of Melbourne, Otago University and James Cook University, to investigate “What works” in Indigenous Health teaching in medicine.
PROJECT AIMS Improve teaching of Indigneous Health into medical programs.

PROJECT NAME NHMRC Short Term Exchange – Process Evaluation of Indigenous Health Teaching
STAFF Shaun Ewen
COLLABORATORS University of British Columbia, Auckland University, and The University of Melbourne
FUNDING SOURCE NHMRC
DATE ongoing 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION We compared Indigenous health teaching in medicine at Canada’s University of British Columbia (UBC), New Zealand’s Auckland University, and The University of Melbourne. In this way, we identified barriers and enablers to the processes of establishing Indigenous health curriculum content into medical courses.
OUTCOMES A collaborative academic subject, in development, will be co-delivered by The University of Melbourne and UBC. Strategies for Indigenous student recruitment and retention are being shared. Onemda is also contributing to the development of an international network of Indigenous health science educators.

PROJECT NAME From colonisation to conciliation: A collaborative examination of social work practice with Indigenous populations
STAFF Angela Clarke
COLLABORATORS Social Work Department (the University of Melbourne), Michigan State University (USA ), Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne), Mercy Hospital (Melbourne)
FUNDING SOURCE Australian Research Council
DATE September 2005 to December 2008
PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project has brought together Indigenous community representatives, social work practitioners and academics across Australia and the United States of America to review social work approaches across Australia’s 22 social work schools.  Based on international best practice, we identified social work practices that enhance, rather than inhibit, Indigenous wellbeing.
CURRENT OUTCOMES Indigenous content is being incorporated into social work curricula around Australia and internationally.  The outcomes of the project will be published in a community report and other publications.
PUBLICATIONS

• Whyte , J.D., Clarke, A. & Harms, L. (2008) ‘From colonization to conciliation: Influencing Indigenous health and education policies’, in Bywaters, McLeod & Napier Social Work and Global Health Inequalities: Policy and Practice Developments. Bristol: Policy Press (in press).
• Harms, L., Clarke, A. & Whyte , J.D. (2008) ‘Preparing Social Work Students to Work with Indigenous Australian Communities’, In Ramon, S. (ed) Social Work in the context of Political Conflict, IASSW, Venture Press, Birmingham, UK.
• Harms, L., Whyte, J. & Clarke, A. 2007, 'Editorial: Indigenous Issues and Social Work', Victorian Social Work, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 1.
• Clarke, A., Whyte, J. & Harms, L. 2007, 'Looking for New Ways: Exploring student preparation for social work practice with Indigenous communities', Victorian Social Work, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 5.

Past Projects Details:

PROJECT NAME Medical Deans Indigenous Health Project
STAFF Deb Knoche, Greg Phillips, Alexis Wright, Davina Woods, Laura Thompson
COLLABORATORS Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand and Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA)
FUNDING SOURCE Commonwealth Department for Health and Ageing (DoHA) and Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand
DATE 2002-2007
PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project aimed to ensure high-quality and effective teaching and learning of Indigenous health in medical education and curricula, and best practice in the recruitment and retention of Indigenous medical students.
OUTCOMES a national audit of medical schools to assess existing Indigenous health content in curriculum and its delivery context (2004); the development of the CDAMS Indigenous Health Curriculum Framework (2005); the establishment of the LIME (Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education) Network and website (2005 ongoing); the facilitation of AIDA/Medical Deans Agreement for Collaboration (2005); the formal endorsement by the Australian Medical Council of the curriculum framework and revised standards for accreditation (2006); and the preparation of a Critical Reflection Tool to assist schools with the implementation of the curriculum framework (2007)
PUBLICATIONS

• Mackean, T., Mokak, R., Carmichael, A., Phillips, G., Prideaux, D. & Walters, T. 2007, 'Reform in Australian Medical Schools: A collaborative approach to realising Indigenous health potential', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 186, no. 10, pp. 544-6.
• Phillips, G. L. 2005, ‘The LIME Connection a Roaring Success’, Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, vol. 29(5), p. 3.
• Phillips, G. L. 2005, ‘Relationships, Respect and Responsibility: Cultural safety and ensuring quality curriculum for Indigenous health in medical education’, in J. S. G. Aquf (ed.), Proceedings of the 2005 Australian Universities Quality Forum: Engaging Communities, Australian Universities Quality Agency, Melbourne, pp.131–5
• Phillips, G. L. 2004, CDAMS (Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools) Indigenous Health Curriculum Framework, VKHRCDU, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne.
• Phillips, G. L. & CDAMS 2004, National Audit and Consultations Report (Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools), Discussion Paper No. 11, VKHRCDU, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne.

PROJECT NAME Kulin Wellbeing at Coranderrk: An online role-play
STAFF Bill Genat, Shaun Ewen
COLLABORATORS Information Services , University of Melbourne
FUNDING SOURCE Information Services , University of Melbourne
DATE Jan 2004 - December 2006
PROJECT DESCRIPTION Development of an online role play about Koori health that enables students to "walk in the shoes" of key historical characters connected to Coranderrk settlement based on actual historical archives for use in a core postgraduate Aboriginal health subject, Aboriginal health: Past to Preseent, held by Onemda at the University of Melbourne
PROJECT AIMS To develop a teaching and learning approach towards Aboriginal health that goes beyond technical descriptions of health determinants and outcomes to enable student engagement with the lived experiences of Aboriginal people and their health issues within a specific historical, socio-cultural contextand that enables an understanding of Aboriginal health from a range of stakeholder standpoints.
OUTCOMES The online role play has been developed successfully and is currently used in our post-graduate teaching program in Aboriginal health at the University of Melbourne. Student evaluations have demonstrated the power and effectiveness of the role play in our teaching and learning approach.
PUBLICATIONS

• Genat, B, Naidu, S & Fong, P. (forthcoming) Shifting perspectives about Aboriginal health and history: using digital archives in an online role play, Proceedings of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education Annual Conference, Melbourne December 2008
• Genat, B, Stewart, P & Ewen, S. (forthcoming) Walking in the shoes of Aboriginal Australians: online role-play and transformative pedagogy, Focus on Health Professional Education, ANZAME
• Genat, B, & Ewen, S. 2008 Teaching Aboriginal Health and History: The use of interactive role-play, Nexus, Newsletter of The Australian Sociology Association, September.

PROJECT NAME Curriculum Innovations in Indigenous Australian Public Health
STAFF Ian Anderson, Bill Genat
COLLABORATORS Institute of Koorie Education (IKE) and School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University
FUNDING SOURCE Public Health Education and Research Program (PHERP), Commonwealth Department of Health Ageing
DATE January 2003 - December 2005
PROJECT DESCRIPTION The key focus of this project within Onemda Vichealth Koori Health Unit was the expansion of Indigenous public health curriculum, that is, subjects offered within both the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Social Health programs. The Institute of Koorie Education component of the project was adapting the MPH offered by the Victorian Consortium of Public Health (VCPH) using a community-based pedagogy to make it accessible for Indigenous student cohorts.
PROJECT AIMS The aim of this project was to increase the number of Indigenous students graduated from public health courses in Australia, and to identify critical gaps in Indigenous public health curriculum nationally and to respond with innovative curricula.
OUTCOMES Completed an audit and review of a national Master of Public Health (MPH) course and disseminated a national report. Using a community-based pedagogical model to deliver the VCPH MPH to an Indigenous student cohort at IKE, the project increased the number of Indigenous MPH graduates nationally. Developed a social science stream with four new subjects in Indigenous public health at The University of Melbourne. Also developed a national network of Indigenous public health teaching academics.
PUBLICATIONS

• Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit and Institute of Koori Education, 2006, Evaluation Report: Innovations in the Design and Delivery of Curricula for Indigenous Australian Public Health, Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, University of Melbourne and Institute of Koori Education, Deakin University, January 2006.
• Kelly P, Chenhall R, Miller A, Genat B, Anderson I. 2005, "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health – Building on recently established foundations and linkages," in Oldenburg B, Kelly P, MacDougall C, O'Brien M, Zwi A, Ritchie J, Chenhall R, Wilson A. Building capacity to improve public health in Australia - Case studies of academic engagement. Australian Network of Academic Public Health Institutions, January, pp 51-69.
• Anderson, I., Brabham, W., Genat W., Keleher, H., Jessen, J., Fitzgerald, D. & Marshall, B. 2004, National Indigenous Public Health Curriculum Audit & Workshop Project Report, VKHRCDU Discussion Paper, No. 11, VKHRCDU, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
• Genat, B. 2004, 'Indigenous Content in Master of Public Health Programs', Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, vol. 28, 2, p. 19.

Click here for a full list of our research projects or to go to Teaching pages