Advantage Partnership
The ADVANTAGE (ADVANced research iniTiAtive in medical, nursinG and alliEd health) Partnership aims to strengthen clinical research and academic collaboration between Griffith Health and Wesley Research Institute across medical, nursing and allied health disciplines within UnitingCare Health hospitals.
The ADVANTAGE partnership’s purpose is to foster a strong research culture by creating a supported pathway for clinicians to complete a Higher Degree Research (HDR) program, such as a Master of Health and Medical Research or PhD through Griffith University. This gives health care professionals the chance to build their research skills, contribute to new knowledge and evidence generation, and shape the future of care while being supported in their clinical roles at UnitingCare.
The program is open to medical, nursing and allied health professionals across UnitingCare’s hospitals in Queensland. Potential research areas include cancer care, cardiovascular disease, orthopaedics and hospital-acquired infections, amongst other emerging priorities with the UnitingCare hospital group.
Projects will draw on shared methodological themes such as innovative clinical trial methods and clinical cohort studies. The initiative will also explore expanded clinical and research placement opportunities and build a collaborative research pathway designed to prepare UnitingCare clinicians for research‑active careers supported by experienced research mentors.
The broader vision of the partnership is to strengthen relationships between clinicians and academics, creating opportunities to work together on high‑quality, impactful translatable research.
Who is eligible to be included in the ADVANTAGE Partnership?
This includes medical, nursing and allied health professionals across the UnitingCare Hospitals in Queensland (The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital and St Stephen’s Hospital Hervey Bay).
Existing affiliations with other universities are not a barrier; the key requirement is being a UnitingCare employee or being a clinician accredited to practice at a UnitingCare hospital.
Why should I consider becoming research active through the ADVANTAGE Partnership?
Research culture also underpins a competitive workforce plan through attraction and retention of the most ambitious, efficient and effective health care professionals in the sector. This is achieved through the creation of professional development pathways including hybrid clinician-researcher careers, building multi-disciplinary teams across subspecialties and direct areas to undertake research that generates new evidence to inform better care, and fostering a culture of inquiry, innovation and lifelong learning.
Together, these benefits contribute to a mature, internationally competitive, learning health system where clinical care, research and education are seamlessly integrated to continuously improve outcomes for patients, clinicians and the broader community.
How do I get started?
After you contact us, the team will get in touch to understand what kind of support you require or for an exploratory chat. If you’re looking for help with research methods, that guidance can be provided directly. If you need advice from someone with specialist clinical and academic knowledge, you can be connected with a Griffith University academic who fits your area of interest.
About Professor Rob Ware
