Research Scholarship Opportunities (Masters or PhD)

The students will be part of The Communicate Study, led by Professor Anna Ralph, which aims to improve First Nations patients’ experience and outcomes of healthcare by ensuring healthcare is culturally safe. The study implements and evaluates creative ways to embed culturally safe practice including increasing health provider access to communication and cultural safety training and increasing uptake of Aboriginal interpreters in hospitals. The study is being conducted in partnership with key stakeholders: Northern Territory Government (Top End) health services, the NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, the Djalkiri Foundation and Menzies School of Health Research. Below are two examples of student research opportunities, however prospective students can formulate and present their own research ideas for discussion with the team.

  1. Research Scholar – Masters or PhD (Qualitative)

We are seeking a graduate with qualitative research skills wishing to undertake a Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy degree at Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University.

Examples of study activities to be undertaken by the quantitative research scholar include:

  • Scale up and evaluate the impact of novel cultural safety educational approaches for NT healthcare providers, building on the multi-award winning podcast, ‘Ask the Specialist’ which is delivered alongside reflexive discussion groups.
  • Implement and measure the effects of a suite of health service interventions including clinical championing of cultural safety, new models of working with Aboriginal interpreters and Aboriginal Health Practitioners.
  • Explore the impact of cultural safety interventions on health provider attitudes and behaviour with a particular focus on intercultural communication
  • Explore the impact of cultural safety interventions on patient healthcare experience and outcomes of new approaches to communication including around surgical consent.
  1. Research Scholar – Masters or PhD (Quantitative)

We are seeking a graduate with economics, statistics or quantitative research skills wishing to undertake a Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy degree at Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University.

Examples of study activities to be undertaken by the quantitative research scholar include:

  • Determine costs and cost effectiveness of study activities and recommendations to improve demand, supply and efficiency of Aboriginal interpreter usage.
  • Establish a linked dataset of hospital Admitted Patient Care outcomes (self-discharge, length of stay, readmission) with language documentation and Aboriginal interpreter use.
  • Explore relationships between interpreter access and outcomes.
  • Apply interrupted time series analysis to determine longitudinal changes.
  • Implement initiatives to help achieve KPI targets including technological improvements - such as iPad-based interpreter access via video link and development of resources for common medical conditions in Aboriginal languages.
  • Feed data back in a continuous quality improvement process to key health system stakeholders and front-line healthcare providers to build momentum in health system improvements to achieve better outcomes.

Eligibility: The successful applicants will need to meet the eligibility criteria for admission to a Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy degree at Charles Darwin University.

Scholarship Provisions: Candidates will be encouraged to seek Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship funding from 2023 through Charles Darwin University. A successful candidate who is a recipient of a primary scholarship such as RTP will be eligible to apply for a Menzies top-up scholarship to the value of $10,000 per annum for up to 3.5 years. Successful candidates will receive $3,500 per annum for up to 3.5 years to cover direct costs of the research. 

Application Process: Applicants should submit the following:

  • Brief summary of why they want to participate in the project
  • Current CV
  • Copies of certified academic transcripts
  • Proof of Residency (not required for Australian or New Zealand citizens)

All applications and enquiries should be submitted to Prof. Anna Ralph: anna.ralph@menzies.edu.au.