Annual Report 2008 - Central Queensland University

Research &
Innovation
• Sociology of food and agriculture, rural sociology and community impact.
• Sustainable and viable social community development.
This Institute is supported by research undertaken by Centres and groups that
contribute to the following themes www.healthycommunities.cqu.edu.au:
MENTAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH
Research efforts focus on evaluation of clinical and behavioural health issues;
understanding relationships between clinical, social, and mental health issues to
promote positive change; understanding the psychosocial, cultural and geographical
contexts of health and health-related behaviours; and improving understanding
of the implications of clinical and mental health services in relation to mental and
psychosocial health needs.
LIFESTYLE, BEHAVIOUR AND ENVIRONMENT
The development of evidence-based strategies to promote health and prevent
disease through the adoption of healthier lifestyles; the development of better social,
medical and population health strategies to improve physical and psychological
capacities of people at risk; understand the social and behavioural determinants of
food choice, social, economic and environmental risk factors.
HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Contribute to evidence-based policy, education and legislation to address family
and domestic violence; understand the experience and service needs of unique
groups such as Indigenous communities, migrants, rural and remote communities
etc; undertake research that supports the recruitment, supervision and professional
development in rural and remote communities; and contribute to the development
of health informatics and innovative service delivery models.
Key centres contributing to these themes include:
CENTRE FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
The Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR), led by Professor Stewart Lockie,
aims to be recognised nationally and internationally as a provider of high quality
social research that contributes to understanding and improving the well-being
and health of environments, families and individuals in Central Queensland
and elsewhere. On behalf of a coalition of CQUniversity research centres and
groups, the CSSR provides an administrative home for the CQUniversity Healthy
Communities research program which is a population health-based research
initiative to promote community, family and individual health and well-being
through prevention, intervention and evaluation. www.cssr.cqu.edu.au
QUEENSLAND CENTRE FOR DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE
RESEARCH
This Centre, under the direction of Heather Nancarrow, contributes to the
prevention of domestic and family violence by informing, promoting and supporting
the actions of individuals, communities, services and governments through statewide
leadership in research, education and evaluation. www.noviolence.com.au
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM OF PSYCHO-SOCIAL HEALTH RESEARCH
The primary aim of this international program in research, led by National Health
and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) research fellow Dr Pam McGrath, is
to examine and document the human experience of serious illness (both physical
and mental). IPP-SHR is a broad program addressing a wide range of topic areas
including: haematology/oncology; mental health; palliative care; acute medicine;
bioethics; rural and remote health; Indigenous health; spirituality; paediatrics; birth
studies; and service delivery evaluation. www.ipp-shr.cqu.edu.au
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