Centres and Units
A major strength of our School is our close relationship with a range of associated Research Centres and Units. Their staff are research-focused but are also often involved in policy and practice in areas related to their research. Staff in Research Centres also contribute to our teaching programs and are actively involved in research supervision.
The Kirby Institute for infection and immunity in society (formerly known as the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research) is recognised internationally as a research leader in the field of HIV/AIDS and has applied this expertise to a range of other infectious diseases, notably viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections. The Institute’s primary functions relate to the coordination of national surveillance programs, clinical research and clinical trials. The Institute also contributes to training of health professionals, and development and implementation of health policy and programs. The Centre has an extensive range of collaborators, including the other national HIV research centres, State and Territory Health Departments, public and private clinical units, national and international organisations, and the corporate sector including the pharmaceutical industry.
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) is a premier research institution in Australia and is recognised internationally as a Research Centre of Excellence. The Centre is multidisciplinary and collaborates with medicine, psychology, social science and other schools of UNSW, as well as with a range of other institutions and individuals in Australia and overseas. The overall mission of NDARC is to conduct high quality research and related activities that increases the effectiveness of Australian and International treatment and other intervention responses to alcohol and other drug related harm.
The Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE) provides a focus for primary health care and health equity related research, evaluation and development. Bringing together four previous research groups, the CPHCE makes important contributions to the field of primary health care and equity locally, nationally and internationally. The CPHCE is committed to intervention research that impacts on policy and practice. The long term vision of the centre is to improve the community’s health and wellbeing through a focus on improved primary health care services and development of policies and strategies that address health inequalities.
Human Resources for Health (HRH) Knowledge Hub@UNSW. The School has entered into a strategic partnership with AusAID to improve the quality and effectiveness of health sector aid in the Asia-Pacific region by establishing the Human Resources for Health (HRH) Knowledge Hub@UNSW. The HRH Hub aims to contribute to the quality and effectiveness of Australia’s engagement in the health sector in the Asia-Pacific region by developing innovative policy options for strengthening HRH systems. It supports regional, national and international partners to develop effective evidence-informed national policy-making in the field of human resources for health. The HRH Hub@UNSW also aims to be the key reference point for the generation, management and dissemination of state of the art knowledge on HRH for all its partners.
The Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit is guided by local and national community priorities, to contribute to the healing and positive health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through research, teaching, publication, representation on peak national bodies and public advocacy. The Unit is a key player in establishing and maintaining scholarships and in a special entry program into Medicine. These programs are designed to enable more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to study Medicine. Additionally, in consultation with the community-controlled health sector, the Unit aims to auspice research and expand the options for postgraduate training in Indigenous health. A key objective of the Unit is to develop, resource and conduct a leading program of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and development activities.
International HIV Research Group (IHRG). Working closely with national institutions, the International HIV Research Group conducts high quality social and behavioural research which provides essential strategic information needed to design cost effective and high impact interventions and underpins the development of appropriate policy responses by national partners.
The Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) aims to conduct multidisciplinary research into health sector practices, organisation and management to enhance the delivery of high quality, safe, efficient and affordable health care. The Institute brings together four successful UNSW Research Centres working in separate but related areas of clinical governance, clinical practice and health services research and health informatics:
NSW Hospital Infection Epidemiology and Surveillance (HIESU) Unit. The activities of the HIESU Unit focus on healthcare associated infections and community-based outbreaks, and includes surveillance techniques, outbreak management and behaviour of healthcare workers.
The Population Health and Use of Medicines Unit (PHUM) was established in June 2004 for the purpose of researching the health outcomes related to the Australian community’s use of prescription medicines and is situated in the Therapeutics Centre at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital. The PHUM Unit's principal objective is to advance knowledge relating to the population outcomes associated with changes in drug use in specific health priority areas such as mental health, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and diabetes.