Research specialisations
The faculty has a number of research specialisations in the areas of Health. The faculty’s research ranges from our world leading musculoskeletal research to our world class research in Nursing & Midwifery and Social Work. The Faculty’s diverse research offers students an opportunity to make a real difference in the health sector.
Human movement sciences
This multidisciplinary study focuses on the causes, impact and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. We aim to understand the biomechanics of human movement and the biomechanical basis of common musculoskeletal conditions in all age groups. Our goals are healthy ageing, injury prevention and recovery, and chronic disease management. We use technologies such as three-dimensional motion analysis and diagnostic imaging with assessment procedures that are transferable to the clinical environment.
Back and neck pain
Our back and neck pain research aims to develop knowledge of human movement to improve treatments.
Bone and cartilage
Study in this area ranges from normal bone metabolism to fracture repair.
Foot disorders
Research into foot disorders includes understanding and determining the most effective treatment for a range of foot conditions
Gait and balance
Our research investigates the role of gait and balance in different contexts and uses gait analyses gait to improve treatment outcomes.
Joint orthopaedics
The goal of this research area is to improve outcomes for people with joints affected by injury or chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis.
Joint rehabilitation
Study in human movement rehabilitation seeks better understanding of biophysical needs and more effective treatment responses.
Prosthetics and orthotics
Our research improves the design of prosthetics and orthotics to improve outcomes.
Public Health
We study important public health topics and approaches from health policy and health services management to health promotion and palliative care. Our research is interdisciplinary, collaborative and directly relevant to health policy and practice. We mainly focus on social and systemic approaches to issues relevant to Australia, but we also cover China and Southeast Asia.
Chronic disease
Public health research in the area of chronic disease addresses the impacts and needs of this increasingly significant public health issue.
End of life care reform
Our research is concerned with a public health approach to end of life care and seeks to increase awareness of involvement and preparation in end-of-life decisions and care.
Environmental health
Public health research topics in environmental health cover wide areas including social and environmental sustainability and the impact of climate change.
Global health
Our research focuses primarily on public health issues in the Asia-Pacific Region particularly China and Thailand.
Health services management
This research area addresses practical approaches across a range of areas in health service delivery.
Health services policy and reform
This research area is concerned with innovative changes to existing and evolving health service challenges.
Occupational health and safety
Research in this area is characterised by broad, socio-technical systems approaches to assess and manage workplace health and safety risks
Public health rehabilitation
Our research analyses social support and rehabilitation following workplace injury
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Our research is multidisciplinary and takes a broad public health and population approach to the social and clinical aspects of health and care. We look at prevention, treatments, interventions and health experience across population groups. Our research contributes nationally and internationally to an understanding of issues and innovations in service development and health care practice.
Gender and health
This area of study is concerned with the impact of gender on health.
Perinatal and child health
This research area is concerned with the antecedents and consequences of reproductive events, such as preterm birth and physical and psychological disorders.
Pregnancy and childbirth
The focus of this research area is to improve health outcomes and experiences related to childbearing.
Sexuality and relationships
This area of sexual health research focuses on the social aspects of sexual health issues including risk behaviours
Sexually transmitted infections
Research in this area explores ways to prevent and improve sexual health and well-being of Australians, especially those living with hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Women's health
This research area focuses on broader women’s health issues.
Social participation
We research ageing and social participation and the impact on health and wellbeing. This includes inclusion and exclusion, particularly of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. We look at all levels of the health system from individual experience to service delivery and policy development. Our goal is practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges.
Consumer participation
This innovative area of research is concerned with the participation of health users in the health service delivery, health policy development and health research
Dementia
An important area of ageing research is dementia to improve its management across health services.
Disability
This area of research is concerned with strategies that address the impact of intellectual or functional impairment.
Healthy ageing
Our research in this area aims to promote a multidisciplinary understanding of the health, wellbeing and care of older people
Indigenous health
Our research partnerships in the CRC for Aboriginal Health seek practical solutions to improve health service and policy
Residential care
This aspect of ageing research focuses on all aspects of residential aged care to promote person-centred care.
Rural and Regional Health
A World Class Regional Health Service is the lead research program of the La Trobe Rural Health School, overseen by Professor Jane Farmer.
Social policy
Our research in this area aims to inform social policy in contemporary Australia and is concerned with the most socially excluded and disadvantaged groups in society.
Social work
Our research focuses on issues and intervention strategies relevant to current social work practice that enhance the practice of social workers and other helping professionals.
Nursing and midwifery
We study contemporary issues in specialist nursing areas, midwifery and aged care in urban and rural areas. Our research looks at emerging issues and identified gaps in vulnerable and high-need populations including critical care patients, palliative care clients, the elderly and people living with chronic conditions. We devise innovative models of care and contribute to service delivery reform.
Cancer and palliative care
Our research into supportive cancer care addresses the social experiences of living with cancer and non-clinical aspects of death and dying.
Community nursing
The goal of this research is to develop the evidence base for community nursing including strategies to better support veterans and carers.
Mental health nursing
Our research seeks solutions to manage aggression, support staff relations in the workplace and improve the psychological aspects of nursing care.
Older people
Our nursing research focussing on older people explores issues of care, including pain assessment and management, and family interactions.
Clinical sciences
We seek sustainable and effective solutions to issues of importance to patients. Research includes eye movement, vision rehabilitation, art therapy, and communication and swallowing disorders.
Art therapy and counselling
This research area is concerned with counselling and the practice of using art to support health recovery.
Clinical sciences
Our research investigates and solves clinically relevant problems to improve outcome for clients in the health system, through developing better assessments, interventions and other practice activities.
Clinical vision sciences
Our research expertise includes eye movements, strabismus, vision rehabilitation and preventative eye health care and delivery.
Speech pathology
Our research investigates the prevalence, causes, natural history and effective treatments of a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders
