Our work
The Allied Health Research Network (the Network) helps to develop the research skills of allied health staff based in Hunter New England LHD.
The aim is to support clinicians to take on practice-based research that helps improve patient, health and service outcomes.
The Network is overseen by the Allied Health Research Advisory Group in Hunter New England LHD.
Our responsibilities
Funding
- find funding opportunities and grants for projects.
- recommend how research funding is distributed.
- oversee the Allied Health Research Grant program.
Support staff
- prepare grant submissions and ethics proposals.
- develop resource networks to support allied health staff in research.
- provide education about research using active learning models.
- assist with research design and research mentoring.
Promotion and communication
Promotion
- promote Hunter New England LHD allied health staff research activities
Communication
- assist with collaboration between the District, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University.
- maintain alliances with clinical groups, networks and streams.
- be a channel to state and national networks.
Monitoring and clinical support
Monitoring
- check on the progress of District-wide allied health research programs, provide support and assistance.
Clinical support
- make sure research helps meet the District's clinical needs and is approved by the relevant managers.
- helps clinicians in practice evaluation meet the required clinical guidelines.
- assist clinical staff to develop clinically relevant questions.
Allied Health Research Grant
The Hunter New England Allied Health Research Grant (the grant) supports allied health professionals to conduct small-scale research projects.
The $5000 grant is managed by the Allied Health Research Advisory Group. The grant's aim is to encourage research that can improve clinical practices and patient outcomes across the Hunter New England LHD.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- be an allied health professional and employed by Hunter New England LHD.
- make surethe proposed research is small-scale and relevant to clinical practices or patient outcomes within Hunter New England LHD.
- make sure their project has ethics approval in place before the grant is awarded.
For more information on email the Hunter New England Research Office or call (02) 4921 3700.
Opportunities, resources and supports
Getting started
These resources can help you develop your research agenda, explore what is being done (or has already been done) and talk to people working in your area of interest.
Conceptualising
Developing and refining research design is important to make sure your research answers your clinical question(s).
We encourage you to consult with experts in research design and methodology as you develop and refine your research concept.
To request for consultation support, email the Hunter New England Research Office or call (02) 4921 3700.
Identifying opportunities
When you identify and opportunity, reach out to the AHRN or our Research Innovation team for help to make sure your project meets the research requirements.
- Australian Research Council funding schemes
- Hunter New England Research Office programs
- Agency for Clinical Innovation research grant schemes
- National Health and Medical Research Council funding
- Hunter New England external grant funding opportunities
- NSW Health and Medical Research - Early-Mid Career Grants
Writing a proposal
After identifying your research question and approach you will need to prepare your research proposal. This will help you communicate your ideas to others, including funding bodies and collaborators.
Our strategies, plans and reports can help you align your research to our District's priorities and objectives.
To request for consultation support, email the Hunter New England Research Office or call (02) 4921 3700.
These online resources can help inform your research proposal:
- NSW Health Guide to Setting Research Priorities
- Writing a research proposal - Monash University
- NSW Health Aboriginal Health Impact Statement
- Research Ethics and Governance Information System (REGIS)
- Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-2026
- Communicating your research toolkit - The Health Foundation (UK)
Gathering support and extending your research skills
Getting support
You may choose to work with co-investigators or external support to manage parts of the research process.
Hunter Medical Research Institute and the Agency of Clinical Innovation offer research project support and implementation support.
Gathering and extending skills
You may also want to build or extend your research skills in a particular area, methodology or other aspects of research design and conduct.
Consider these training and education opportunities and resources related to research skills development.
Contact us
For assistance with developing your research ideas or to explore and identify allied health research opportunities, call (02) 4921 4140 or email the Hunter New England Research Office and ask for a consultation form.