Home Funding Share Share Share Copy Link Copy Link Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Email VicHealth Fellowship Program Meet our early-career research fellows who will find new insights and fuel fresh research to improve health outcomes for all Victorians: Scroll down Real change starts with research The biggest, boldest moves in health promotion rely on cutting-edge research. We need leading scientists and experts to identify gaps, highlight emerging issues, and illuminate the real drivers of change. Body The VicHealth Fellowship program For over 30 years, we’ve been investing in academics who are at the forefront of health promotion and prevention. Their research has helped Victoria – and the world - lead the way in this space. And our alumni go on to make a positive impact on Indigenous health, mental wellbeing, physical activity, health inequity, public health policy, food and nutrition, and more. A VicHealth fellowship provides a unique opportunity to be part of VicHealth’s team, joining our connected network and linking research to policy and practice. Our current fellows Our current fellows are tackling harmful industries in Australia, examining harmful marketing aimed at children, developing effective youth engagement frameworks for local government. encouraging longer-term engagement with organised sport, and analysing the effects of extreme heat and bushfire smoke on local communities. Meet our early-career research fellows who will find new insights and fuel fresh research to improve health outcomes for all Victorians: Dr Aurélie Pankowiak, Victoria University Creating fun, safe and inclusive environments for children to be active through sport is at the core of Dr Aurélie Pankowiak’s research. Her research will engage children and youth in an innovative and youth-driven, community-based sport program, outside of traditional competitive sporting club structures, with the aim to attract and retain under-represented community members in sport. Dr Adyya Gupta, Deakin University Dr Adyya Gupta’s research will investigate the impact of online food delivery platforms on youth’s food choices in real time through youth engagement. The research will highlight how food marketing techniques are used within online food delivery platforms, how youth engage with these platforms and how this influences their food purchasing decisions. Novel screengrab methods will be applied to better understand the influence marketing has on young people. Dr Rongbin Xu, Monash University Dr Rongbin Xu’s research aims to better understand health risks from environmental factors caused by climate change, like bushfires and extreme heat across Victoria. This will provide projections of the burden of disease across a range of different scenarios, allowing for an evaluation of current strategies. The research aims to contribute to health guidelines, health promotion materials and policy advice for Local Governments. Recent articles 21 September 2023 - Global population exposure to landscape fire air pollution from 2000 to 2019 Dr Alexandra Chung, Monash University Dr Chung’s work analyses front-of-pack marketing on food and drinks for infants, toddlers and children. By speaking to parents about their experiences, she’ll generate new evidence to help challenge and change the guidelines and policies that regulate this marketing. Recent articles 12 April 2023 - Cashing in on health: the Commercial Determinants of Health explained 14 August 2023 - It's time to stop the processed food industry from compromising children's health Dr Jenn Lacy-Nichols, The University of Melbourne Alcohol, gambling and ultra-processed food industries are known for influencing policies for their own benefit. Dr Lacy-Nichols is investigating this. By analysing their political activities, resources and relationships, her work will make sure our polices protect the health and wellbeing of people across Victoria. Recent articles 12 April 2023 - Cashing in on health: the Commercial Determinants of Health explained 13 April 2023 - Does your bank support gambling? We need to know who sponsors harmful industry associations 13 November 2023 - Who’s lobbying whom? When it comes to alcohol, tobacco, food and gambling firms, we’re in the dark Dr Florentine Martino, Deakin University Harmful industries create more barriers to good health and wellbeing, especially for our children. Dr Martino’s work focuses on reducing these by monitoring ultra-processed food, alcohol, and gambling brands. By analysing their corporate social responsibility, online ads, influencers and elite sport sponsorships, her research will help regulate their marketing activities to protect our children. Recent articles 12 April 2023 - Cashing in on health: the Commercial Determinants of Health explained 15 August 2023 - DrinkWise: A wise partner choice? Dr Hannah Pitt, Deakin University Very few local government youth engagement and pathway plans specifically consider how young people may be effectively engaged in public health advocacy strategies to convince decision makers of the need for policy change. Dr. Pitt’s research aims to understand how local governments can effectively engage young people in public health advocacy strategies aimed at responding to the health threats posed by harmful industries, specifically tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and industries contributing to climate change. Her research will provide a practical toolkit for Victorian local governments to mobilise youth engagement in public health advocacy initiatives. Recent articles 16 August 2023 - Gambling: An intergenerational justice issue Dr Christina Zorbas, Deakin University The voices and values of those experiencing social and economic exclusion are underrepresented in food policy decisions, research and advocacy efforts – with significant implications for the efficacy and equity impacts of such policies. Dr Zorbas’ research aims to address this critical gap by identifying food policy options that reflect the voices and values of those experiencing health inequities. By conducting in-depth participatory research and drawing upon partnerships and expertise, her research will increase political attention and commitment to equitable food policy actions. Recent articles 11 April 2023 2023 - How can power theories be applied to public health nutrition? An exploration using ChatGPT Title Resources Body Global population exposure to landscape fire air pollution from 2000 to 2019. Written by Rongbin Xu and his collogues. VicHealth fellows in the news The Guardian: how children and young people are being targeted by gambling plat… ABC Listen: children are increasingly at risk from online gambling 3AW Melbourne: the price of food staples is rising ABC News: supermarkets increase profits as the cost of food rises
