Research

We have a strong focus on performing research to inform educational practice.

Assessment and Feedback View

Cost and Value View

Professional Practice View

Preparing the future public health workforce for the next pandemic through innovative simulation training

Investigators: B Howard, J Moore, S McGuinness, A Mazeh, J Trauer

We are developing, implementing, and evaluating outbreak investigation simulations powered by large language models (LLMs). We aim to boost students’ confidence and competence in handling real-world outbreaks, preparing them to contribute effectively to global public health efforts.

Master of Public Health (MPH) students' perceptions of employability: a global comparison study

Investigators: B Howard, D Marais, A Johar, D Gasevic

This study explores MPH students' perceptions of work readiness, assessing their knowledge, skills, and practical experience in preparing for public health careers. It identifies strengths and gaps in training to help improve MPH programs, ensuring better alignment with global workforce needs.

Best practice for equipping university students with relevant career skills

Investigators: B Howard, R Herbert, A Johnson, A Mazeh, J Moore

This program explores best practices for embedding career skills education into university education. It includes evaluation of careers units in the Health, Sciences and Arts disciplines at Monash University.

Upskilling the clinical trials workforce

Investigators: M Skiba, S Spark, P Perry, T Mthethwa-Pitt, D Ilic

There are major discrepancies among the type and level of education, training, experience and qualification across the Australian clinical trial workforce. This research program aims to inform and propose a future state for Australian qualification standards, curriculum and accreditation, to provide a skilled and equitable clinical trials service for all Australians, as well as a rewarding and professionally recognised career pathway for health professionals working in and considering the clinical trials sector.

Leadership in Health Professions Education: Assessing leadership competencies in Australian public health programs

Investigators: Z Aziz, D Ilic, R Moodie

This project investigates how leadership competencies are defined, taught, and assessed within Australian public health education programs. By mapping current approaches and identifying gaps, the project aims to strengthen leadership development in health professions education and support the preparation of future public health leaders equipped to navigate complex health systems.

Interprofessional Education View

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Program

Investigators: Z Aziz, D Kiegaldie, M Ciardulli, D Ilic

In alignment with Monash University's commitment to internationalisation and innovative, inclusive education, this project harnesses Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) to expand access to global learning. COIL provides a scalable, sustainable alternative, enabling intercultural, interprofessional, and international collaboration through virtual classrooms. Over the past two years, this initiative has engaged 200+ students from four countries and ten health professions in one of the largest interprofessional COIL programs globally.

Building Capacity for Global COIL Expansion

Investigators: Z Aziz, M Ciardulli, D Malone, V Thanzami, J Breaden, D Kiegaldie, D Ilic

This project focuses on expanding and strengthening Monash University’s Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives through targeted capacity-building efforts. Central to this work is the creation of a COIL Learning Circle - a collaborative hub designed to support educators, foster a vibrant community of practice, and encourage the sharing of resources and expertise.

Key outcomes include a comprehensive COIL Toolkit to equip educators with practical, structured materials, professional development programs to build institutional capability, and the advancement of scholarship in COIL to position Monash as a global leader in innovative, intercultural education.

Exploring consumer and community involvement in culturally responsive curriculum design for health professions education

Investigators: Z Aziz, G Brand, V Friedman

This project explores how consumer and community involvement (CCI) can inform the design of culturally responsive curricula in health professions education. By examining current practices and identifying opportunities for meaningful engagement, the project aims to enhance cultural competence training and ensure that health education reflects the diverse needs, values, and perspectives of the communities it serves.

Scholarship of Education View

Strengthening whole-school approaches promoting mental health and preventing risk behaviours in Australian secondary schools

Investigators: R Balasooriya, N Karim, L Chen, D Ilic

This project aims to explore the effectiveness and user perspectives of whole-school interventions promoting mental health and preventing risk behaviours in adolescence addressing the eight domains of a whole-school approach. The project partners with The Resilience Project (TRP) and Resilient Youth Australia (RYA).

Australia GP attitudes and knowledge towards EBM in clinical practice

Investigators: D Ilic, M Azizagdam, B Howard, N Karim

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) sits as the backbone of general and primary care practice. This project explores the knowledge of EBM concepts in Australian general practitioners (GPs), their attitudes and implementation of EBM in practice, and barriers and enablers of EBM use.

Cultivating inclusive educational environments through EDI in CDIO

Investigators: E McCarthy, A Cosmos, D Bui, P Perry, H Cook

This project seeks to highlight alignments between the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) engineering education framework and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) concepts, and provide inspiration for how to operationalise these in curricula and programs. It draws from and applies HE Advance and Universal Design for Learning approaches to STEM programs for STEM student cohorts (Incl. Biotech, Health sciences, Planetary Health, Biomed).

Leveraging AI simulations for enhancing cultural competence in healthcare

Investigators: Z Aziz, D Kiegaldie, M Ciardulli, D Ilic

This project focuses on embedding cultural competence education into health professions curricula as a critical step toward delivering equitable, patient-centred care. One innovative approach involves using AI-driven simulations to create immersive, reflective learning experiences for students across disciplines and countries. We leverage adaptive simulation technology to foster interprofessional collaboration and deepen students' understanding of how culture influences healthcare.

Enhancing Implementation Science Education: A collaborative design approach to tailoring training and resources for educators

Investigators: Z Aziz, D Ilic

This project adopts a collaborative design approach to enhance implementation science education by tailoring training and resources for educators. Through global focus groups with public health educators, the project aims to ensure that the content developed for the GACD Implementation Science e-Hub is practical, relevant, and responsive to the diverse teaching needs across international contexts.

Prioritising improved care for people with dust-related diseases – education and training for medical professionals

Investigators: Walker-Bone K, Hoy R, Barnes H, Gasevic D, Ilic D, Tomic D

The CORDET initiative (Clinical occupational respiratory disease education and training) aims to improve care for people living with Occupational Respiratory Disease (ORD). This project will provide an education and training program highlighting evidence-based support and management options for those diagnosed with ORD.

Read about our past projects here.

Our publications

Our publications cover the topic of medical and health education, as well as public health and preventive medicine.

Medical Education Research and Quality

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences