Research in the Department of Public Health
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The Department of Public Health is recognised nationally and internationally for its research.
Our academics use interdisciplinary and intersectoral approaches to address contemporary public health challenges, the structural and socio-environmental-cultural-political factors impacting health and wellbeing, and the health-related needs of underserved people, communities and populations.
We use a range of research methods to achieve our objectives including evidence synthesis and systematic reviews, spatial methods, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, mixed methods, epidemiology, biostatistics, policy analysis, health economic methods, program evaluation, implementation science and participatory (co-design) approaches.
Our contribution aligns with La Trobe University's research themes: Social change and equity, Healthy people, families and communities and Understanding and preventing disease.
Find out more about how our partnerships enable transformative research.
Research Areas
We make meaningful discoveries in our discipline areas and build evidence for best-practice public health solutions.
Our research is grouped into six key areas:
Our researchers investigate service use across the life course, service delivery and management, models of care, quality of services, service provision availability and mapping, stakeholder engagement and health service performance.
Key research questions include:
- How do we address health system challenges – such as equity, safety and quality, and cost-efficiency – through an evidence-based inclusive strategy?
- What is involved in building a digital reporting system to systematically collect data on the social dimensions of serious illness, dying, death and bereavement?
- What strategies help people to make informed decisions and improve their health, wellbeing and experiences of healthcare?
Our researchers develop digital health innovations including data linkage, big data, virtual care and digital applications to support the provision of healthcare provided by health professionals and healthcare services. Our researchers also work on digital solution design and implementation, and development of health information including clinical classification, data quality, data analysis and information governance.
Key research questions include:
- How can digital health leverage emerging and maturing technologies to solve problems in healthcare, lead enhanced stakeholder engagement, public health outcomes and system improvements?
- How does understanding (or the lack of) health data and health datasets impact the analysis and interpretation of health information for stakeholders including clinicians, health professionals, researchers, government and consumers?
- How can the integration of artificial intelligence and big data analytics with health records impact clinical decisions, patient care and healthcare system improvements?
Our researchers use the principles of equity and social justice to examine the impact of commercial determinants of health, trade agreements, public health policies, politics of public health policies, public health law, regulation and ethics, health systems studies and policy evaluation, policy effects (such as taxation and pricing policies), licencing and outlet density control, and systems thinking for population health and wellbeing outcomes.
Our research extends beyond Australia to include international policy and law, and beyond health systems and health policy to include policy in other sectors that impact on health.
Key research questions include:
- How do corporate actors influence public health and how can their influence be counteracted?
- What are the economic and political factors that shape health, and how can governments respond in ways that lead to better health outcomes?
- What are the health, social and economic impacts of public health policies and how can we measure them?
The Department of Public Health is committed to quality Teaching and Learning to enhance student learning experiences.
Key research questions include:
- How do we maximise graduate employability and outcomes, competency for practice, and strengthen Work Integrated and Work Based Learning to ensure our students graduate with the necessary skills, competency and experience to meet workforce needs?
- How do we enhance student experiences and satisfaction?
- How do we design and evaluate innovations in Teaching and Learning?
- What are the factors that contribute to student engagement and subject quality, and what are the academic and non-academic resources that support student satisfaction, success and retention?
Our researchers examine settings for addressing public health issues. These include the impact of the workplace environment on physical and mental health and wellbeing, environmental impacts on health (for example, climate change and allergens), and environments for health (for example, sport, recreation and leisure environments, green space and the built environment).
Our researchers also examine work as a determinant of health, work demands, ergonomics, work design, risk mitigation, the impact of the workplace environment on physical and mental health and wellbeing, occupation/work and people with a disability and ageing.
Key research questions include:
- How does the contemporary work environment influence employees’ physical and mental health?
- How do social and environmental determinants of health interact to influence and mediate health outcomes of vulnerable populations?
- What impact do environmental conditions and climate change have on population health?
Our researchers use an intersectionality lens to identify and address the determinants of health for improved population health. Themes include in/equity, in/equality, social justice, human rights, social in/exclusion and the role of power.
Our researchers explore the role of culture and ethnicity in relation to health service experience, population health outcomes and the impact of migration on health. They explore gender through issues such as reproduction, policy and social support, with an emphasis on at risk, vulnerable and/or marginalised, and invisible populations.
Key research questions include:
- What are the social, cultural, political, economic, physical and structural conditions/environments which create health inequities?
- How do health inequities compound to shape the lives of individuals, communities and populations including those from diverse backgrounds, or those who may be particularly vulnerable?
- How can public health interventions improve the health determinants of diverse and vulnerable people in society to address inequities?
Graduate research
The Department of Public Health is educating the next generation of practitioners and leaders in the health sector, delivering high-quality training to our graduate researchers.
We have Masters, Professional Doctorate and PhD opportunities, where candidates conduct projects under the direction of experts in their field. PhD candidates also have the option of working with an industry organisation from government, private or not-for profit sector in our industry PhD.
Our graduate researchers are well supported by teams of at least two supervisors, Progress Committees, and a carefully tailored milestone program.
They enjoy a vibrant research culture with regular lunchbox seminars, writing workshops, skills-based workshops, and an annual 3 Minute Thesis competition and Higher Degree by Research conference. Some also undertake research and teaching work within the Department, preparing them for a career in academia.
All graduate researchers are part of La Trobe’s Graduate Research School, which nurtures a vibrant research community and upskills researchers through the Research Education and Development (RED) team. The RED team run workshops on topics from preparing literature reviews through to data manipulation and visualisation; and run initiatives including Shut Up and Write!, and 3-Minute Thesis.
Find out more about graduate research opportunities at La Trobe, or contact the School of Psychology and Public Health’s Director of Graduate Research, Associate Professor Dana Wong.
Department Centres
The Department of Public Health is home to three centres:
Established in 1987, the Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors is an international leader in the translation of research evidence into more effective workplace risk management practices to protect and promote workers’ health. The Centre has led international initiatives on behalf of both the International Ergonomics Association and the World Health Organization.
Find out more about the Centre.
The Centre for Health Communication and Participation aims to improve health communication with and participation by consumers through evidence-informed policy and decision-making. The Centre is also home to Cochrane Consumers and Communication which evaluates the evidence on how people interact with and experience healthcare.
Find out more about the Centre.
Established in 1999, the Public Health Palliative Care Unit aims to improve experiences and outcomes at the end-of- life through teaching, research and evidence-informed practice. The Unit partners with industry to produce practice frameworks that increase societal participation in serious illness, dying, death and bereavement, across diverse settings and populations.
Find out more about the Unit.
Research Centres
Additionally, our staff make significant contributions to several of La Trobe University’s research centres and institutes.
The Australian Centre for Evidenced Based Aged Care specialises in person-centred, evidence-based care of older people. The Centre is involved in research, education and professional practice. Research involves collaboration with a mix of disciplines and consumers.
Find out more about the Centre.
Through research, consultancy and educational activities, the Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing promotes quality improvement and consumer driven, evidence-based practice in all areas of primary health, community health and aged care. The Centre's goal is to make a significant, positive and enduring impact on the way health, community and aged care is delivered and accessed.
Find out more about the Institute.
The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society conducts world-class research and education on the social dimensions of sexuality, gender, health and human relationships. The Centre works collaboratively with other researchers, communities, community-based organisations, government and professionals to advance knowledge and promote positive change in policy, practice and people’s lives.
Find out more about the Centre.
The Care Economy Research Institute was established in 2023 in recognition of the crisis facing our care sectors and our conviction that, together, researchers and industry partners can make a positive difference. The Institute’s goal is to break down silos in the health and social care sectors and create a platform to co-design and implement the next generation of services across all care economy domains.
Find out more about the Institute.
The Centre for Alcohol Policy Research is at the forefront of alcohol research. The Centre’s discoveries are used to promote and inform the development of evidence-based, effective alcohol policy in Australia and internationally.
Find out more about the Centre.
The Judith Lumley Centre conducts interdisciplinary, applied research to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and families. The Centre leads research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family health; breastfeeding; child, family and community health; mother and infant health and maternity services; reproductive health and planned parenthood; preventing and reducing violence against women and children; transition to contemporary parenthood, preparation and support; and work and family.
Find out more about the Centre.