2. Global eHealth Research and
Innovation Cluster
Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster.
Professor Clare Collins
Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, Co-Director Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition,
Fellow of the Dietitians Association of Australia
Academic Leader, Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster
Faculty of Health and Medicine
School of Health Sciences
27 March 2014

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Why a Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster?
• Collective strength of harnessing expertise across multiple disciplines to provide
innovation for health providers, patients and health educators
• eHealth and health innovation are clear priorities for the NSW government, the Australian
government and internationally
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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The University of Newcastle’s Research Strength
• The University of Newcastle is a research-intensive institution with an exceptional record of
achievement.
• Ranked among the top three per cent of the world’s universities according to both the Times Higher
Education World University and QS University Rankings.
• The Australian government’s 2012 Excellence in Research Australia (ERA), the measure of the
research performance of Australian higher education institutions, ranked the University of Newcastle as
equal 7th for our research “well above world standard”.
• Further the 2012 ERA found that 90% of our research was world standard or above.
• The University is an established leader in health and medicine translating outstanding research into
great innovation.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster Vision
• to lead research, development, translation and commercialisation of health technology to
the benefit of patients, clinicians, teachers, educators and the general public
• to bring together representatives from within organisations, companies, agencies,
government and the community to unearth priorities and challenges and to work together
to produce collaborative innovative solutions for the benefit of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
and beyond
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster
Key Research Capabilities
• Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) – a pioneering partnership between the
University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health Disctict and the community
that delivers key translational health and medical research and technology closely
aligned to community health needs.
• Applied Informatics Research Group (AIR) – research in the areas of health informatics, data cleaning
and integration, identification of unusual personal, items of events, decision support, information
visualisation, serious computer games, user interface design and modelling and simulation
• The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) – this major rural initiative of the University’s
Faculty of Health and Medicine and the NSW Ministry of Health aims to bring quality education and
research programs to all rural areas of NSW through effective partnerships.
• Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition (PRC PAN) – unique interdisciplinary
expertise and leadership galvanising education and public health researchers, biochemists, exercise
physiologists, food scientists, Accredited Practicing Dietitians, nutritionists and behavioural scientists to
combat chronic diseases.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster
Key Research Capabilities continued
• Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour – intervention and service delivery to
promote healthy behaviours and good quality healthcare across communities.
• Priority Research Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based
Medicine (CIBM) – committed to shortening the process for obtaining novel discoveries
to achieve distinctively better outcomes in clinical practice and translational individualised
medicine.
• Hunter Creative Industries and Technology Centre (HCIT) – addressing creative,
research and business opportunities.
• Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing – focus on the individual and
social factors that affect the health and well-being of men and women as they age, and
the ways in which communities and organisations respond to an ageing population.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster
Key Research Capabilities continued
• The Wollotuka Institute – important role in representing and supporting indigenous
Australians.
• Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health (CTNMH) –
increasing the understanding of brain/mental disorders including schizophrenia, stroke,
pain and sensory dysfunction, ageing and cognition, depression and balance disorders.
• Family Action Centre – practice, teaching and research centre working to strengthen
families and communities through the integration of innovative family and community
programs, research, teaching and dissemination.
• Centre for Interdisciplinary Built Environment Research – innovative solutions in design
and construction practice, spatial analysis and optimisation, industry policy and process,
and project development.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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Upcoming Events
eHealth Innovation Seminar
When: Friday 16 May 2014 Where: Newcastle City Hall (tbc)
The eHealth Innovation Seminar will be held in conjunction with the 2014 Hunter Innovation Forum. Attendees will
hear about the benefits of engaging with the Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster.
Find out about:
• Collaborative Engagement: What are the benefits for industry partners?
• Working with academics partners - what does it involve?
• Gaining a strong evidence-base to inform decision and policy making
• Tax benefits of research collaboration Potential commercial benefits of research collaboration
• Practical Matters: Research teams, project time-frames and deliverables
• Intellectual property and how partnership agreements are formed
• A case study of a recent successful industry and university partnership translated internationally with
commercial and intellectual property outcomes
.www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

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Upcoming Events
eHealth Solutions Roundtable
When: Thursday 19 June 2014 Where: HMRI Building, New Lambton Heights
The Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster will host a Solutions Roundtable that will address challenges
raised at the eHealth Innovation Seminar (16 May 2014).
At the Roundtable, participants will discuss current health and technology challenges facing the relevant
industries. Three separate streams built around the challenges identified at the eHealth Innovation Seminar will be
facilitated by representatives from the cluster with the aim of identifying possible innovative and collaborative
solutions.
The Solutions Roundtable will consist of a morning session and an afternoon session (repeat of morning session)
with a combined networking lunch.
Expressions of Interest for both events : to Kate Hayes - kate.hayes@newcastle.edu.au or T: +61 2 4921 5287
.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/

11. THANK YOU
Global eHealth Research and Innovation Cluster
27 March 2014
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/innovation/hubs-and-clusters/global-ehealth/
DISCUSSION