Embedding Research in the Health System

Description

Australia is a global leader in health and medical research, but a key challenge remains:

embedding and translating research into real-world healthcare practice. Despite Australia’s

strong research capability, research and the health system often operate in parallel rather than in

partnership, with limited systematic processes to support translation and innovation.

Strengthening this connection is critical, as research drives better treatments, care models, and

outcomes, while the health system provides essential data, infrastructure, and clinical settings –

creating a mutually reinforcing cycle of improvement.

With the rising burden of disease and increasing healthcare costs, leveraging research and

innovation is essential to improve outcomes, boost productivity, and ensure the long-term

sustainability of Australia’s health system.

As part of Research Australia’s policy and advocacy in this area and as we approach the

imminent release of the final National Health and Medical Research Strategy, Research Australia

is seeking motivated and analytical intern/s to contribute to the development of a policy

discussion paper based on the theme of ‘Embedding Research in the Health System’. This

project explores how research can become a routine and integrated part of health service

delivery to ensure that Australian health systems consistently use evidence to improve patient

outcomes, drive system efficiencies, and support translation and innovation. The paper,

currently in draft format, has been initially utilised to guide discussions at a University

Roundtable, before being disseminated to Research Australia’s membership across the health

and medical research sector, as well as government and other stakeholders as part of Research

Australia’s policy and advocacy work. Given the broad scope of the topic, there will be

opportunity for the intern/s to leverage their own expertise to shape the direction of this work.

Students from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged including Health Sciences, Medical

Research, Laws, Politics, Data Science and Analytics, Statistics, Arts, Communications.

Key responsibilities

• Contributing to literature reviews, including on research-active health systems, policy

and funding mechanisms, health service innovation and improvement, digital health

• Contributing to analysis of the policy and funding landscape at state and federal levels

• Assist collation of case studies from Research Australia’s member organisations

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C 1 of 2• Attend meetings with academics across the university sector

• Assist drafting of the discussion paper and s

Participating in this project will enable students to develop practical skills in policy analysis,

evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative writing. They will gain valuable

experience in working with a peak body, navigating the health and medical research landscape,

understanding the complexities of system innovation and research translation, as well as

contributing to real-world policy discussions. Learning outcomes will include developing

capabilities to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, stakeholder governance, research

management and advocating for evidence-based improvements in health outcomes.

Students will need to:

• Familiarise themselves with the background, process and current status of the DraftNational Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026-2036

National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026-2036

• Review Research Australia’s Draft-National-Health-and-Medical-Research-Strategy-Research-Australia-Submission.pdf

Research-Australia-Submission.pdf

• Review examples of Research Australia’s policy reports, such as Advancing health andmedical research and innovation across Regional, Rural, Remote and Very RemoteCommunities in Australia 2025

medical research and innovation across Regional, Rural, Remote and Very Remote

Communities in Australia 2025

• Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement as part of the Student-Host Agreement.

The final submission for the project will be completion of written analysis and drafting of Report

sections with recommendations.

Depending on student skills, alternate project outputs or a group work project could also include

designing for the partner / stakeholders an implementation plan on key themes (e.g. workforce

uplift in digital health) to achieve Report recommendations, ecosystem mapping of different

disciplines and actors that need to be engaged, or communications strategy for disseminating

the research findings.

This will be discussed and negotiated at the commencement of the project between the

student(s), Research Australia and McCusker Institute.

Early stakeholder engagement opportunities will be available from March 2026 that will enable

students to learn more about the key actors involved, current project status and priorities.

Project work will be undertaken in a hybrid model with virtual connections to Research

Australia’s lead Policy Officers and in-person liaison with Health Policy leadership at the ANU.

Image credit: CDC