Scientia Professor Rebecca Ivers, AM

Head of School, Schools of Population Health
University of New South Wales

Why Rebecca would like to be considered

I have been on the CAPHIA Board for two years and Chair for the past 12 months. I established and chaired the CAPHIA Advocacy in Action Consultation Working Group in my first year. As Chair I have spoken to many head of schools of member institutions in order to understand your priorities and expectations of CAPHIA, worked closely with the newly established Global Network for Academic Public Health, and worked with the Executive Director to bed down finance, governance and strategy. As a small organisation, financial management is important. Under my leadership we have now appointed a Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, and this strengthening of our governance will ensure our viability in years to come.

I am seeking re-election to the Board to see through the program of work we have established for the next two years. This includes a primary focus on renewing the CAPHIA competencies, which will be a critically important piece for work for the organisation, and must be completed in a timely way. Other areas of focus will be:

• working with members and stakeholders to understand what is needed to professionalise the public health workforce and implement solutions,
• strengthening the advocacy we do on behalf of member institutions and for the profession,
• continuing to support our early and mid career workforce,
• supporting CAPHIA to do what it always has done so well – providing a space for public health educational innovation and research through the Teaching and Learning Forum and online events through the year.

I have more to offer CAPHIA and respectfully ask for your votes to continue enhancing academic public health across Australasia. 

Skills and experience Rebecca can contribute to the CAPHIA Board of Directors

As a head of school at UNSW for the past 5 years, I have demonstrable skills in leadership, financial management, strong understanding of the challenges that public health academics face, and excellent links with government and other important stakeholders for our advocacy efforts. I understand the need for educational excellence and have established an Education Academy in my school to promulgate innovation and support public health educators. I have developed and taught public health courses myself and have a strong research track record, with over $40M of research funding and >300 publications. I have a strong national reputation and am passionate about the need to strengthen the public health academy and workforce and will bring energy and action to the board.

Rebecca’s university profile

https://research.unsw.edu.au/people/professor-rebecca-ivers

Professor Basia Diug

Head, Undergraduate Courses Head (Quality and Innovation), Medical Education Research and Quality (MERQ) Unit
Monash University

Why Basia would like to be considered

As the head of Undergraduate Programs and Monash University I am passionate about public health education and research. In my current role I run large teaching programs across a number of degrees including the medical degree, biomedical sciences, health sciences and public health.
The following highlight the impact that I will have as executive member:

• Address the needs of CAPHIA’s members by supporting the strategic plan and actioning capacity building and skill development initiatives.
• Work together with colleagues to promote and enhance the profile of public health teaching and learning through the promotion and development of the CAPHIA Learning & Teaching forum and other activities.
• Work with members and government to strengthen recognition for funding of public health training.
• Support innovations in public health teaching.

What skills and experience can Basia bring to the CAPHIA Board of Directors

I have been an active member of the CAPHIA executive serving in the role of Treasurer (2019-2021), Vice-President and Co-Chair (2021). I also co-led the Academic Development Working group in 2020 which led to the redevelopment of the CAPHIA awards and seminars. In 2021, I chaired the 2022 Learning and Teaching Forum steering group committee. Under my leadership Monash University hosted CAPHIAs Forum for the first time in a hybrid mode bringing together our colleagues from across our member institutions. I have extensive experience in public health research and education, coupled with a strong record of service, which demonstrates that I will contribute positively to CAPHIA as an active and effective member of the Board of Directors.

Basia’s university profile

https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/basia-diug

Professor Melissa Graham

Head of Department of Public Health
La Trobe University 

Why Melissa would like to be considered

I am committed to advancing public health education, research, and workforce development. My current role as the Head of Department of Public Health at La Trobe University provides me with both unique insight into the challenges associated with public health education and the opportunity to advocate for and advance CAPHIA’s mission.

I have extensive public health academic and leadership experience providing me with the required knowledge and experience to make a valuable contribution to the CAPHIA Board of Directors, CAPHIA more broadly, and ultimately public health education, research, and workforce development.

Aligning with CAPHIA’s objectives, I am passionate about public health education, advancing academic standards, and training the next generation of public health practitioners. I have a particular interest in public health competencies for practice and how these can be delivered through tertiary education programs to meet industry expectations and requirements.

My role as Head of Department of Public Health enables me to advocate for public health teaching and learning and build the scholarship of teaching and learning to advance knowledge of best practice in public health education.

I believe my skills will assist CAPHIA in achieving their vision, mission, and objectives.

Skills and experience Melissa can contribute to the CAPHIA Board of Directors

I have extensive experience in teaching, curriculum design, and the scholarship and teaching and learning for public health education. I am experienced at managing public health programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. As a Course Coordinator I designed and implemented best practice curriculum for public health education for blended and online learning, and authentic assessment in multiple subjects and courses. Drawing on public health competencies for practice I successfully designed public health programs that meet the needs of students to enable their transition to the workforce.

Serving as a Course Coordinator across two universities and more recently as a Head of Department has enabled me to build the capacity of early carer public health educators, develop an excellent understanding of the higher education landscape, the policies associated with teaching and learning, identify and address the challenges of public health education within universities, and advocate for the continuing strengthening of public health education to ensure a competent and sustainable future workforce.

I am cognisant of the future public health workforce challenges, many of which were brought into focus during the COVID 19 pandemic, and opportunities to further strengthen public education and workforce development, for example accreditation, registration, and continuing professional development.

I have served on multiple committees including but not limited to Academic Board, Faculty Board, Teaching and Learning Committees, multiple Course Advisory Committees, the Steering Committee for the University Senior Leadership Group, CAPHIA Teaching and Learning Forum Organising Committee, the CAPHIA Competency Working Group, and the Public Health Association of Australia Victorian Branch Committee as a member and Treasurer. Together with my extensive public health education experience, I believe I can make a positive contribution to the CAPHIA Board of Directors and its member institutions to achieve the vision, mission, and objectives.

Melissa’s university profile

https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/m6graham 

Associate Professor Katherine Baldock 

Associate Director: Teaching Innovation Unit; Associate Professor in Public Health
University of South Australia

Why Katherine would like to be considered

I am committed to forward-looking, innovative Public Health education, well-aligned to CAPHIAs mission. In my academic roles, I lead strategic approaches to reimagining structural and cultural facilitators that support the transformative education of Public Health graduates who are socially just, anti-racist, and who will contribute to creating a better society focused on community health and wellbeing. I have extensive experience as a public health educator, with specific expertise in public health curriculum design aligned to competency frameworks and industry needs. I have also held a number of senior educational leadership roles both in public health and broader health discipline faculties, as well as in institution-wide educational leadership. Nationally, there are calls to better define public health practice as a profession, including its specialised areas of practice, as well as professions and sectors that interact with specific public health roles. Inherent in defining what it is to be a public health practitioner, is the need to define the educational pathways which lead to, and further develop, these public health roles. I am excited to continue contributing to the work which has begun on revising the existing Competency Framework for Public Health Graduates in Australia to a) align with future public health workforce needs, and b) broaden the scope of relevance of the competency framework to all nations across Australasia. I have been delighted to serve on the CAPHIA Board since 2021, and would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving on the Board to further develop and promote excellence in public health education and contribute to the continued growth of the organisation.

Skills and experience Katherine can contribute to the CAPHIA Board of Directors

I have significant higher education leadership experience, both in academic leadership of Public Health (and more broadly Allied Health) in terms of educational standards and quality and in management and governance of units and faculties. I have held senior leadership roles across health disciplines, as well as institution-wide teaching and learning leadership through strategic approaches to educational practice and research. In my current role, I have leadership responsibilities for several institution-wide initiatives, including design and development of curriculum for our institution’s online arm, UniSA Online; strategic approaches to academic development support through professional development offerings and 1-1 consultations; and a significant institution-wide approach to developing capacity of staff and resources that support culturally responsive programmatic embedding of First Nations knowledges and pedagogies across all disciplines.

In previous roles, I have been Public Health discipline lead and program director for our public health programs, including full-scale curriculum design and development in collaboration with industry, and aligned to the public health competency framework and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health curriculum framework.

In my time on the CAPHIA Board, I have been privileged to Chair the Education Standards and Quality working group and have taken on the role of Interim Treasurer. The Education Standards and Quality working group is the lead group supporting the revision of the CAPHIA Competency Framework for Public Health Graduates in Australia, and my skills and experience would continue to serve this group well if I am re-elected to the Board.

Katherine’s university profile

https://people.unisa.edu.au/Katherine.Baldock

Associate Professor Christina Severinsen

Associate Professor: Co-Programme Leader for PGDip/Master in Public Health and Co-Major leader for Mental Health and Addictions in BHlthScMajor
Massey University 

Why Christina would like to be considered

Associate Professor Chrissy Severinsen’s aspiration to serve on the CAPHIA Board of Directors is rooted in her unwavering dedication to public health, proven leadership capabilities, and commitment to strengthening public health within Aotearoa New Zealand and across Australasia. Her appointment is an opportunity to bring NZ representation to the CAPHIA Board.

Chrissy recognises the importance of fostering collaboration and cooperation in public health. Her extensive involvement in numerous committees, working groups, and teaching and learning communities at Massey University and globally exemplifies her dedication to academic citizenship. She understands the power of effective teamwork. At Massey, she has served on 20 committees and working groups (research, postgraduate and undergraduate, Māori and Pacific student success, and curriculum advisory). She has been awarded the College of Health and the Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Awards, and her team was awarded the 2023 CAPHIA Team Teaching Excellence Award. She holds key roles on global teaching and learning committees, including for the World Federation of Public Health Associations Workforce Development Working Group and the CAPHIA Education Quality and Standards Working Group.

As an active member of Aotearoa NZ’s public health academic community, Chrissy sees this nomination as a platform to contribute to policy and strategic development and workforce development, both essential aspects for the success of CAPHIA. Chrissy’s commitment to public health extends beyond academia, as demonstrated by her community involvement. She values community engagement and believes strong relationships with community organisations are fundamental to strengthening the public health workforce, policy, strategy, and service outcomes. Her multifaceted leadership roles, including chairing boards and leading and developing community organisations, underscore her dedication to improving public health within the academic realm and in practical, real-world applications. Her experience in leadership positions is a testament to her ability to make a meaningful impact.

Skills and experience Christina can contribute to the CAPHIA Board of Directors

Associate Professor Chrissy Severinsen’s holistic skill set, marked by her academic achievements, policy expertise, community engagement, and global perspective, positions her as a candidate who can contribute significantly to the CAPHIA Board of Directors. Her experience and leadership will be invaluable in advancing CAPHIA’s mission and objectives.

1. Academic Leadership: Chrissy has a remarkable record of educational leadership at Massey University, evident in her roles as Co-programme leader for PGDip Public Health and Master of Public Health and Co-Major Leader for BHlthSc (Mental Health and Addiction major). She has publications on pedagogy, curriculum development and design, and Te Tiriti-led education and governance. Her excellence in curriculum design, pedagogy, and teaching, as reflected in her teaching awards, makes her a valuable asset for CAPHIA’s initiatives. Her community leadership positions demonstrate her leadership capabilities and ability to drive organisational success.
2. Policy and Strategy Expertise: Chrissy’s involvement in committees and working groups, both locally and globally, demonstrates her proficiency in policy and strategic development. Her contributions highlight her ability to navigate the intricacies of academic governance.
3. Community Engagement: Her leadership roles in the community underline her strong ties with local communities. This experience can be leveraged to foster connections between CAPHIA and the wider public health community.
4. Global Citizenship: Chrissy’s participation in global teaching and learning committees attests to her commitment to global public health. Her engagement skills can help CAPHIA expand its reach and impact.
5. Public Health Advocacy: Chrissy’s dedication to public health is evident in her roles in Indigenous public health teaching and learning, emphasising her commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the field.

Christina’s university profile

https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=182830

Dr Amy Hickman 

Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Flinders University

Why Amy would like to be considered

I am a Senior Lecturer and Teaching Specialist in Public Health at Flinders University with specialisations in health promotion, work integrated learning, and community based participatory research. I am passionate about advancing health equity and justice to address structural and social disadvantage that shape the health of communities in Australasia. I equip the public health workforce to meet these challenges by embedding reflexive, authentic learning and teaching, and by embedding advocacy in health promotion education.

This position is the next step for me to enable our workforce to meet these challenges. My teaching practice centres collaborative and engaged learning and teaching to ensure inclusive and safe learning environments. This engagement extends to partnering with industry to provide meaningful work integrated learning experiences for public health students. I have extensive experience in developing and delivering curricula in public health at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels. I strengthen the public health education workforce by disseminating innovative pedagogy in national and international conferences and publications. Engaging with CAPHIA has informed and enlivened my professional practice and vision. I seek to pay this forward in supporting CAPHIA’s mission to advance education, research and workforce development.

Skills and experience Amy can contribute to the CAPHIA Board of Directors

My diverse set of experiences and skills centre excellence in teaching, leadership and collaboration. In alignment with CAPHIA competencies to develop reflexive practitioners, I was awarded the Teaching Innovation Team Award in 2022. I also work with industry partners to develop projects that support students’ professional growth while developing industry capacity across research, practice and health service provision. I am active in quality assurance processes of at the course/program level. As an Associate Editor for the Health Promotion Journal of Australia, I nurture excellence in health promotion research to support the dissemination of research, policy development, and practice in health promotion.

The current challenges in higher education requires strong and adaptive educators. My experience in leading a community of practice in reflexive teaching and learning builds capacity for early career and balanced academics to develop their pedagogy and benefit from supportive relationships and role modelling. I have been invited to develop and deliver 9 professional development workshops for educators across the university around equitable, inclusive, culturally safe, and reflexive pedagogy. I champion student staff partnerships to support transformative public health education. In codesign with student partners, I led the development of online modules in health communication, and two Equity, Diversity and Inclusion un/conferences in public health education. My skillset and experience speak to my ability to advance excellence in academic standards and workforce development in public health tertiary education.

Amy’s university profile

https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/amy.hickman