Tharawal Holistic Indigenist Metabolic Program

School of Medicine

Tharawal Holistic Indigenist Metabolic Program

Lead Researcher: Assoc. Prof. Milan Piya

About the project

This project provides an excellent opportunity for a PhD scholarship that is based in a specialist metabolic  program exclusively for adults of Aboriginal background provided within Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) in Campbelltown, NSW. This is a unique program where a specialist multidisciplinary team provides care for people with severe obesity within an AMS rather than a hospital outpatient setting. The student will have the opportunity to be involved in Yarning groups and qualitative interviews with clients and health care professional staff associated with the program, with the aim of making a more culturally safe program away from the hospital setting. The student may also be involved in quantitative data collection, analysis and interpretation, and will be supported by Aboriginal health workers, a project manager and clinic staff.

The student will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Milan Piya as well as Assoc. Prof. Kate McBride and Prof. Aunty Kerrie Doyle.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the health and social outcomes, replicability and implementation, acceptability, and cost effectiveness of a multidisciplinary specialist metabolic program embedded within and managed by an urban Aboriginal Medical Service, Tharawal AMS.  All Aboriginal adults with class 2 and 3 obesity (BMI >35 kg/m2) who attend the multidisciplinary Tharawal Holistic Indigenist Metabolic Program at Tharawal AMS will be invited to take part in this study. Yarning groups will be set up for people to share knowledge and stories to help improve the program to make it culturally appropriate and effective. Data for anthropometry, clinical data, pathology data and questionnaires will be collected as part of this program. The student will be expected to learn of and work within the meeting place between complex health needs and Aboriginal knowledges and practices, so that they may help in running Yarning groups, providing information, obtaining consent and data collection. Health economic evaluation will also be conducted.

What does the scholarship provide?

  • Identified Indigenous candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of AUD $50,000 per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
  • Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) insurance policy for the duration their study in Australia. This cost is not covered by the scholarship.

Eligibility criteria

We are seeking Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants living in Australia, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in enhancing the health of Aboriginal people in the Campbelltown area of NSW. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in Aboriginal health, closing the gap, metabolic health, multidisciplinary working and those with experience/interest in mixed methods studies including qualitative and quantitative studies. A background in health or medicine is preferred, give that the aim is to translating knowledge from this grant to other Aboriginal Medical Services and primary care across different health environments.

The successful applicant should:

  • Be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who can provide evidence for their Indigeneity as per Western Sydney University guidelines (https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1974365/Confirmation_of_Identity_for_Indigenous_Australian_Students_v03.pdf)
  • hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Master of Research degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
  • Applications for an MPhil may be considered, in which case the applicant must hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree, (ii) Master of Research degree, (iii) Degree for a university or other tertiary institution equivalent to the above.
  • demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to health, multidisciplinary working and socioeconomic drives of health.
  • have an understanding or appreciation of the importance of Aboriginal knowledges and practices in relation to complex health needs.
  • be willing to learn techniques applicable quantitative research as well as qualitative research.
  • be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency

How to apply

Follow the step-by-step instructions on the how to apply for a project scholarship

  • Note: You do not need to complete 'Step 5: Submit an online application for admission' when applying for this scholarship. You must complete 'Step 6: Submit an online application for a project scholarship'.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher;
Assoc. Prof.  Milan Piya: M.Piya@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

  • Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
  • Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

You may also find answers to your questions by visiting our Higher Degree Research (HDR) Knowledge Directory.

Applications close 31 May 2024

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Scholarship reference code: PS2024_074_SoM