Deakin Institute for Health Transformation
Collaborative research transforming health and wellbeing for everyone
How we create solutions for today’s most complex health challenges
The Deakin Institute for Health Transformation is dedicated to improving health, equity and wellbeing for all by reimagining how health is created, supported and delivered. Working locally and delivering impact globally, we harness the power of collaborative research to activate healthier communities, innovate the design and delivery of health services, empower consumers as partners in change, and drive equity and value across health and care.
Our research areas
In an Australian first, we’ve integrated research in prevention and population health, health systems and services, health economics and financing, and data intelligence and digital health, to create a truly unified approach to improving health.
- Lived experience and community involvement: Authentic prioritisation of lived and living experience to improve health and healthcare via co-design and strategic partnerships.
- Public health, policy and health systems: Transforming health and health through evidence-based policy, population-level interventions and strategic systems change.
- Health care delivery and innovation: Enhancing the outcomes, safety and experiences of individuals transitioning across diverse health care settings and systems.
- Diversity, equity, ability and inclusion: Dismantling health inequities through inclusive, stigma-free communications, accessible practices, and celebrating diversity.
- Healthy environments, communities and behaviours: Creating and sustaining healthier lives through preventive interventions, community action, sustainability and food systems.
- Long-term conditions: Improving health, well-being, and quality of life for people managing complex conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and mental health challenges.
- Health Economics and evaluation: Leading innovation in health economics to optimise resources, shape smarter policies, and pioneer solutions for better health outcomes.
- Digital Innovation and AI: Leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve health outcomes, enhance care delivery, and enable smarter, data-driven solutions.
Help us address our health challenges
Join a research community committed to tackling the complex issues facing health systems in Australia and across the globe. Work alongside world-renowned researchers and industry partners to make your mark with research that transforms the design and delivery of prevention and care.
We believe that transforming health requires bold thinking, genuine partnerships and a focus on equity. Our researchers are working at the intersection of evidence, policy and practice to deliver solutions that strengthen health systems and improve lives. We are incredibly proud of the work being done across the Institute and the impact it continues to have.
Co-Directors, Deakin Institute for Health and Transformation
Our research leaders
The Deakin Institute for Health Transformation brings together the expertise of more than 350 researchers in determinants of health, obesity prevention, health economics, and quality and patient safety.
Professor Kathryn Backholer, Co-Director of the Deakin Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin Centre for Global Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Vice president (Policy) Public Health Association of Australia
Professor Suzanne Robinson, Co-Director of the Deakin Institute for Health Transformation, Chair and Head of Deakin Health Economics, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health
Deakin Distinguished Professor Catherine Bennett, Co-Director of Deakin Advancing Health and Social Justice, Chair in Epidemiology, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health
Professor Angela Dew, Co-Director of Deakin Advancing Health and Social Justice, Professor and Discipline Lead, Disability and lnclusion, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health
Professor Jane Speight, Foundation Director, The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, Chair in Behavioural and Social Research in Diabetes, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health
Deakin Distinguished Professor Tracey Bucknall, Co-Director of the Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS), Chair in Nursing at Bayside Health Alfred, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health
Deakin Distinguished Professor Alison Hutchinson, Co-Director of the Deakin Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS), Chair in Nursing for the Barwon Health Partnership, Adjunct Professor in Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Honorary Fellow at the National Ageing Research Institute, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health
Professor Gary Sacks, Co-Director of the Deakin Centre for Global Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Director of the Research Translation Centre for the Commercial and Economic Determinants of Health, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health
Associate Professor Serene Yoong, Co-Director of the Deakin Centre for Global Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Associate Professor, Implementation Science and Health Services, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health
Featured projects
Our partnerships with health, government, community and industry allow us to deliver research with impact. We lead bold initiatives that seek solutions beyond traditional research and organisational boundaries.
Commercial and Economic Determinants of Health
A 5-year collaboration with VicHealth, the Centre aims to better understand how businesses, industries and market systems impact health, and explore practical solutions towards healthier, fairer and thriving communities. With an explicit focus on research translation for public health impact, the Centre hopes to drive change in policy systems and incentivise business models that can better support population health and equity.
Equitable Cancer Outcomes across Rural and Remote Australia
Equitable Cancer Outcomes Across Rural and Remote Australia (ECORRA) is a strategic program of research and policy initiatives dedicated to understanding and addressing inequity in cancer outcomes for people in rural and remote Australia.
Our partnerships
We have more than 100 well-established partnerships across and beyond the healthcare sector in Australia and internationally. Our partnerships with health service providers, peak bodies, government organisations, health insurers, not-for-profits, other research organisations and philanthropic bodies are the reason we can deliver research with impact.
Contact us
Stay in touch with us to hear about the latest alumni opportunities, research news and much more. Have a question? Get in touch with the team.
03 9244 5791
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