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We are taking the Hackathon virtual for 2026! We are excited to announce that we will be running an online Designathon to explore the theme “What is Public Health and Why Does it Matter?”. Students will be guided by experts and hackathon alumni.
The 2026 Student Designathon brings together current and future leaders from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to explore one of the sector’s most important challenges: strengthening public understanding of public health and its value.
Student teams are supported by mentors (representatives from the health promotion, community engagement, and health communication sectors), and design thinking experts to utilise both topic-specific knowledge and design thinking processes.
This event brings together current and future leaders to explore one of the sector’s most important challenges by leveraging public health approaches with design thinking principles.
Theme: What is Public Health and Why Does it Matter?
At a time of increasing complexity, misinformation and growing health threats, the Designathon will examine how the next generation can help shape the identity and visibility of public health through fresh ideas, bold messaging and community-centred thinking.
Designathon Challenges:
Understanding
How do communities currently perceive public health, and where are the gaps, misconceptions or missed
opportunities in understanding its role and impact?
Identity
How might we better define and communicate what public health is, who works in it, and why it matters in everyday life?
Action
What messages, campaigns and engagement strategies could build stronger recognition, trust and support for public health across diverse communities?
Structure
Teams will be trained in Design Thinking throughout the Designathon to develop their capabilities with this social innovation toolset.
See our FAQs page and check out the 2026 Student Designathon Program for further details.
Event Details
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and postgraduate students studying public health and related courses (e.g. health sciences, medicine, nursing, allied health etc.) from CAPHIA member institutions across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific are invited.
Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026 10am-4pm AEST
Cost: $20
Location: Online – access details will be provided on completion of registration
Registration: here