Since its inception in 2001, The School of Population Health (SPH), at The University of Queensland (in Herston, Brisbane) has established itself as one of the region’s leading centres for public health research and teaching. The School aims to improve population health in Australia and throughout the world by researching key and emerging issues in public health, forging strategic partnerships and preparing the public health leaders of tomorrow through the pursuit of academic excellence.
The School’s staff and student body reflect the diversity of population health and the particular strengths of SPH. The School includes several research Centres/Units/Groups covering most of the field’s key areas and disciplines including epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral science, sociology and anthropology, health economics, health policy, physical activity, nutrition and mental health.
The School is increasingly attracting significant research funding including several grants from the Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), two Wellcome-NHMRC International Collaborative Research grants and, in collaboration with Harvard and Johns Hopkins Universities, a US$20 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates Grand Challenge Award in Population Health). Research is led by some of the world’s leading experts in their field, who work closely with more junior academics to develop their careers.
SPH’s strong research culture attracts more than 100 research higher degree (RHD) students who are completing their MPhil or PhD in a supportive but intensive research environment that prepares them to be successful and influential public health leaders.
Teaching is tied strongly to research with postgraduate programs covering International Health, Public Health, Health Studies (including Addiction Studies and Clinical Epidemiology), Nutrition, Indigenous Health, Tropical Health and Biostatistics. Undergraduate programs are available in Population Health and Health Promotion, Indigenous Health and Nutrition.
The School’s work with strategic partners contributes enormously to its research and teaching programs and is key to its ability to improve population health outcomes in Queensland, Australia and abroad. The School maintains strong local collaborations, particularly with Queensland Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, and has close links with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, as well as with several leading academic institutions worldwide.
