For Australia to excel in data‑driven health research and innovation, we need strong public trust and coordinated, responsible governance of health and medical data. Last week’s GP Data for Research stakeholder design roundtable, marking the culmination of the five‑year GP Data Project, advanced this national conversation on how GP data can be ethically, legally and…
When health data can save lives, what influence should the community have on its use? This is the central question of “social license”—the ongoing acceptance and approval of an organization’s activities by the public. In health research, it is not enough for data use to be technically legal; it must also align with the community’s…
Using health data in research promises clear benefits: better patient care, better health system planning, and a deeper understanding of disease and wellbeing. But it also raises concerns – about privacy, commercial motives and equity. The term social licence refers to the ongoing acceptance and approval of an organization’s activities by its stakeholders and the wider community. In…
As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to recognise and thank Professor Ian Smith as he prepares to conclude his tenure as Chair of the PHRN Board on 31 December. Joining our Board in 2017 and stepping into the Chair role in 2020, Ian guided us through one…
We are pleased to announce Professor Nicholas Fisk AM FAHMS FAICD as PHRN’s new Board Chair, beginning January 2026. Outgoing Chair, Professor Ian Smith, who has served on the Board since 2017, is thrilled that Professor Fisk accepted the role of chair. “Professor Fisk brings a perfect blend of clinical expertise, research experience, a deep…
Few studies have tested whether the health benefits of urban greening actually lead to lower healthcare costs. New research featured in the latest PHRN Impact Story, Urban greening for health, sheds light on the question. Professors Xiaoqi Feng (UNSW) and Thomas Astell-Burt (University of Sydney) report that greater urban tree canopy is linked to reduced…
How do we unlock the potential of linked data for clinical trials? Read our article in the latest INSPIRE magazine, by Research Australia. This edition explores the rapidly evolving world of data and digital health — from AI and robotics to the digital tools transforming how patients, clinicians and researchers connect. We highlight not only…
The Population Health Research Network (PHRN) is offering travel scholarships of up to $5,000 to help Australian early career researchers attend the International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN) Conference in Rotterdam, 13–16 July 2026. The scholarships aim to support early career researchers presenting high-quality work that uses PHRN infrastructure, including state and national data linkage…
The Australian Government is investing $13.6 million to progress key national health and medical research reforms; improve earlier access to emerging treatments, strengthen Australia’s clinical trials and deliver better health outcomes for Australians. The funding will progress the design of the National One Stop Shop for clinical trials, of which PHRN is an active participant….
Yesterday, CSIRO Futures launched the report: ‘Valuation of increased coordination in Australian biobanking.’ In collaboration with research and government partners, CSIRO has developed a report that estimates the benefits of increased coordination among Australian biobanks and provides five recommendations to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and harmonisation of biobanking. National coordination will maximise the impact of…