First Nations Cancer and Wellbeing Research Program

About

The First Nations Cancer & Wellbeing Research (FNCWR) Program is led by Professor Gail Garvey within the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine. The vision of the FNCWR Program is innovative and community-driven research that supports and empowers Australia’s First Nations people and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. 

This is an Indigenous-led multidisciplinary program focused on making a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is supported through major competitive funding including NHMRC and ARC grants such as the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE), the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Partnership grants, and a Targeted Call for Research to build a National Network of First Nations Researchers.

The FNCWR Program brings together national and international collaborators to actively promote the translation of research knowledge into public health policy and practice. Our research uses innovative methodologies which are culturally sensitive and appropriate, and incorporate co-design principles through research projects that work closely with First Nations peoples, families, and communities and the health and allied health services that support them.

Forthcoming book – call for contributions

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and Cancer (edited by Gail Garvey, with Lea Bill, Linda Burhansstipanov, Nina Scott and Lisa Whop)

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and Cancer (due for publication by Springer in 2024) will be the first comprehensive publication to report on cancer incidence, mortality, prevalence, survival, and inequities for Indigenous and Tribal peoples globally.

The book will go beyond issues and challenges, with an Indigenous-knowledges, strengths-based approach to successful health interventions, research projects, research translation, and living well – both with and beyond cancer.

We are currently welcoming expressions of interest for chapters, case studies, infographics, and illustrative materials. Expressions of interest close on 17 May 2023, and writing assignments will be confirmed in early June 2023.

For more information, see our expression of interest flyer.

The FNCWR Program is diverse and largely focuses on health services research with programs of work on:

  • Improving cancer outcomes through increasing cancer prevention and early detection activities;
  • Improving cancer diagnosis and treatment through health service innovation;
  • Reducing the impact of multi-morbidities and cancer risk factors; and
  • Understanding financial toxicity and burden and providing appropriate care to enhance psychosocial wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors, their partners and carers across the cancer continuum.

The FNCWR program also has an expanding program of research that focuses on improving the understanding, measurement and evaluation of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The vision of our First Nations Cancer & Wellbeing Research (FNCWR) Program is innovative and community-driven research that supports and empowers Australia’s First Nations people and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. 

Our FNCWR Program brings together national and international collaborators to actively promote the translation of research knowledge into public health policy and practice.

The FNCWR team is growing, and we regularly advertise positions for research fellows, project managers and research support staff. We advertise all positions via the UQ Careers Hub. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all our job vacancies.

Looking to begin your academic career?

  • For candidates looking to begin an academic career, we can offer a PhD or Masters scholarship partnered with an appropriate academic or professional position (type and level dependent on experience), which will allow candidates to engage in relevant studies while gaining on the job academic training and experience.
  • Once candidates have finished their PhD/Masters studies there may be the option to convert to a continuing position upon completion.

Other information

To discuss your interest in joining  our team,  please contact Professor Gail Garvey.