School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Annual Report 2021
Head of School welcome
It’s difficult to summarise the year just gone without once again foregrounding the impact of the pandemic. But in sitting to reflect on our work in 2021, I am yet again humbled by the extraordinary strength of our staff and students who continued to deliver and grow a portfolio of research and education that is, more than ever, critical to the future of our strained health ecosystem.
I’m incredibly proud of the expertise and leadership our researchers have brought to projects spanning clinical services, healthy ageing, climate health, social care and the long list of other specialist fields of health research supported by our school. Their efforts will build resilience in our health system – and health systems globally – far beyond the pandemic.
Professor Sophia Zoungas
Head of School
The difference we make
We're the largest school of public health in the Asia-Pacific region, delivering research, education and policy leadership that enables more effective and efficient health and social care, improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities across Australia and around the world.
We’re pioneers in the field of public health and preventive medicine, offering Victoria’s first Master of Public Health program. Since then, we’ve grown to house over 1,200 experts working to save and improve lives through better informed prevention and care.
School snapshot
Teaching and Learning in 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic again cast a shadow over 2021, another year where teaching and learning was subject to great uncertainty and frequent modal change for our students and teachers. I’m incredibly proud of the resilience shown by both, and the great achievements made by our students in spite of disruption. Our educators rose to meet career-defining challenges with positivity, patience and a pioneering spirit. The efforts of the entire teaching and learning team were recognised with the Head of School Award at our 2021 School Excellence Awards ceremony.
Professor Dragan Ilic
Deputy Head of School (Education)
Celebrating our students in 2021
Our teaching excellence
Research in 2021
2021 again saw our researchers rising to the challenges presented by COVID, in terms of research into the virus, navigating lockdowns to drive important ongoing research projects, and supporting the Victorian response to the pandemic.
View our full list of School publications, or expand the below sections to explore our research highlights for 2021.
2021 Awards
Australia Day Honours
Professor Susan Davis AO, Adjunct Professor Helen O’Connell AO
Queen’s Birthday Honours
Dr Soren Blau AM, Professor Flavia Cicuttini AM, Professor Helena Teede AM, Professor Dianna Magliano OAM
Research Australia GSK Award for Research Excellence
Intensive care researchers Prof Jamie Cooper AO and Prof Rinaldo Bellomo AO – watch a video about their award-winning research here
Sax Institute Research Action Award
Dr Claire Blewitt for the SEED Program
Clarivate Highly-Cited Authors
Professor Rachelle Buchbinder AO and Professor Rinaldo Bellomo AO
Sir John Monash Distinguished Professorship
Professor Jamie Cooper AO
ACTA Excellence in Trials Statistics Award
Professor Andrew Forbes on behalf of the PEPTIC Trial
Victorian Young Tall Poppy Awards
Associate Professor James Trauer, Jane Tiller
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Enterprise
National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce staff
Dean’s Award for Economic and Social Impact (Team)
COMPARE project staff
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Industry Education Programs
Dr Chris Barton
Dean’s Award for Research Enterprise (Team)
National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce staff
Creating a healthier future
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