Three research teams from The University of Queensland’s School of Population Health are involved in an $8.8million AusAID initiative to improve the quality and effectiveness of Australia’s overseas aid.
The new initiative will fund research aimed at providing decision-makers with practical solutions to the most difficult development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
The first project, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance, will analyse the opinions and experiences of Australians involved in disaster response overseas. The project team consists of Professor Richard Taylor, Dr Bronwen Blake and Dr Fernanda Claudio.
The second project tackles HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea by investigating male circumcision and vaginal microbicides, as HIV prevention in men and women at high-risk of infection. Dr Andrew Vallely leads the project team which also includes the School's Professor Gail Williams, Associate Professor Peter Hill and Dr Megan Jennaway.
The third project will span five countries – Samoa, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Kiribati – as it strengthens mortality and cause of death reporting in Pacific Island health information systems. Professor Richard Taylor, Dr Chalapati Rao, Professor Alan Lopez and Ms Karen Carter will work on the project.
The School Head, Professor Alan Lopez, said AusAID’s funding of these projects was a "major success" for UQ's School of Population Health.
“This reflects the very significant efforts made by the School in recent years to develop a world class research program in international health,” he said.
“Strategic recruitment of academics, targeted investment in particular fields of research and the excellent leadership of Professor Taylor have helped build real strengths in the public health priorities of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.”
The School won three of the 27 grants recently awarded, which were selected from more than 500 applications.
Media: Professor Alan Lopez, 07 3365 5280, a.lopez@sph.uq.edu.au or Vanessa Mannix Coppard (Communications) 042 420 7771, v.mannixcoppard@sph.uq.edu.au
