SiREN Symposium 2018 Update: Abstracts submissions have now closed and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an abstract, we received many more abstracts than expected and the quality of abstracts was exceptional. Registrations are now open and Earlybird closes THURSDAY MARCH 29. The registration prices are as follows:

  • Full-time student/unwaged registration: $60
  • Earlybird registration (prior to Thursday March 29, 2018): $120
  • Full registration (from Friday March, 30 2018): $150

To register and read about program updates and other Symposium information please visit here. 

NEWS

PrEP to be available on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: On Wednesday March 21 the Federal Minister for Health announced that PrEP will be listed on Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 April. From that date, people at higher risk of HIV will be able to obtain a script for PrEP from any GP and obtain publicly subsidised PrEP from a community pharmacy. Read the press release from the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) here.

'Be Safe. Stay Well' Campaign 2018: The Department of Health is rebooting its “Be Safe. Stay Well” sexual health campaign for international students in 2018. The four short videos, available on on the Healthy WA website were developed in consultation with international students and aim to give students from across the world a good understanding of sexual health topics and the health care system in WA. Resources can be ordered via Joanna.Collins@health.wa.gov.au.

'Stay Safe You Mob' Campaign: Targeting transmission and screening of STIs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, this campaign will be featured on both regional and metropolitan television, radio, and online sources. Campaign videos targeting condom use and STI testing can be viewed on YouTube. To order campaign materials, please contact the WA Department of Health Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program on 9388 4841 or by emailing shbbvp.gvh@health.wa.gov.au.

Vale Professor David Cooper: The SiREN team wish to express their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Professor David Cooper, who passed away on 18 March. Director of the Kirby Institute since its establishment and an internationally renowned leader, Professor Cooper's work in the SHBBV sector was instrumental in the prevention, treatment, and cure of HIV and other infectious diseases. A full statement is available on the Kirby Institute website.

The SECCA App: SECCA have recently developed an easy-to-use digital resource to support you in teaching and assessing relationships and sexuality concepts for any age. Go to app.secca.org.au to register and start using the app today.

IMPACT: National HPV Monitoring Program: IMPACT was established to evaluate the impact of the vaccine on HPV infection in young people across Australia through a nation-wide clinical network. The IMPACT clinical network includes three Western Australian sites: RPH Sexual Health Clinic, South Terrace Clinic in Fremantle, and SHQ in Northbridge. For more information on the program or how to become a participating clinic, please visit the IMPACT website or contact Program Research Assistant, Hannah Shilling at hannah.shilling@mcri.edu.au.

Call for Participants: the HPV in Young Males Study: The HYM: HPV in Young Males study is seeking to recruit sexually active males, aged 18 to 35 years old to measure the prevalence of HPV in young Australian males. For more information or to register as a participant, please visit the study website.

Survey: LGBTI+ Supports in Regional WA: The Freedom Centre and Safe Schools Coalition WA want to hear from individuals working and/or living in WA about their experiences working with LGBT people, or their experiences being LGBTI in regional WA. Results will allow researchers to better advocate for resources and support needed. To take part in the survey, please click here.

Call for Content: Pilbara Research Online: The Pilbara Regional Council and Regional Development Australia seek content submissions for the Pilbara Research Online website. This website is a knowledge repository which contains accurate and contemporary information about the Pilbara to one reliable source. Research papers, reports, academic journals and informational data regarding the Pilbara region would be welcomed. For more information or to submit content, please contact Meagan Kershaw, Project Officer on 08 9467 2456 or at projects10@prc.wa.gov.au. 

Expressions of Interest for LGBTI Health Strategy Reference Group: The WA Department of Health is seeking applications from WA LGBTI community representatives to form a reference group to contribute to the development and writing of the WA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) Health Strategy. For more information or a copy of the EOI form please contact healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au. Applications close on 9 April.

Sexually transmitted infections soar in Perth women, says leading doctor: An article published in The West Australian recently addressed the rise in STI infections among Perth young women and teenage girls is bordering on an epidemic. Dr Jenny McCloskey, head of sexual health services at the Royal Perth Hospital, urged young people to practice safe sex and undergo regular testing. To read the full article, please click here.

TRAINING

Supporting Puberty and Adolescence Workshop: SECCA’s upcoming Supporting Puberty and Adolescence Workshop will be held on Thursday, 5 April 2018.  If you would like to register for this workshop, please go to the event page and complete the workshop registration form online.

Research Education Program: Hosted by the Department of Child Health Research, PMH, this program offers free, open-access seminars which span the research process. Topics include ethics, scientific writing, research with the Indigenous community, media and communication, and survey design. For the full schedule of seminars, please visit the program website.

Pathway to Policy. This free series of online modules is targeted at PhD students, early career researchers, and practitioners researching or working in health promotion and public health. The series aims to provide participants with the skills to develop and disseminate research findings to the public. To register your interest or find out more, please visit the PHAIWA website or email phaiwa@curtin.edu.au.

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 

Lotterywest Research Grants: Lotterywest offer grants which support research projects addressing social, cultural, medical, health, and environment issues specific to WA. Projects must seek to inform policy; bring together researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and consumers; and result in broadly distributed, transferrable knowledge. The grants will cover equipment, supply, administrative, travel, and operating costs. For more information, please visit the Lotterywest website.

Expressions of Interest for Community Consultations for LGBTI Health Strategy: The WA Department of Health have invited expressions of interest from community organisations to apply for funding to conduct consultations across WA LGBTI communities. These consultations will help inform the development and writing of the LGBTI Health Strategy. For more information or a copy of the EOI form please contact healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au. Applications close on 9 April.

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Abstracts Extended: Indigenous Conference Services: Abstract submissions have been extended for the Indigenous Conference Services' 2018 calendar. Conferences include men's health, women's well being, youth, Indigenous health, and chronic diseases. Abstracts close 30 March. For more information, please visit the Indigenous Conference Services' website.

Digitalising Sex (Research) Through Online Data Collection and Analysis: Presented by the Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, this seminar examines the potential of emerging online and digital data collection methods as used by Dr Denton Callander in his research with male sex workers. The seminar will be held at the University's Kensington campus on 4 April, and will also be made available online. For more information, please visit the event website.

Health In Difference: Held in Sydney from 11 - 18 April, Australia's premier LGBTIQ health conference will bring together community members and organisations, researchers, policy makers, and advocates for the improvement of LGBTIQ mental, physical, and emotional well being. Registrations and more information are available on the conference website.

Freedom Centre Retreat: Held at the Serpentine Freedom Centre from 20 - 22 April, this year's Retreat will provide LGBTIQ young people with an opportunity to connect with their peers through a weekend of games, food, workshops, and fun. Travel scholarships will be made available for LGBTIQ young people living in rural, regional, and remote areas of WA. For more information or to register for the retreat, please contact Claire at cfoster@waaids.com.

Abstracts and Registrations Now Open: 2018 PHC Research Conference: This conference aims to bring together the primary health care community, including peers from general practice, allied health, nursing, primary health networks, policy, and industry. Held in Melbourne, from 1 - 3 August. More information is available on the conference website.

Abstracts and Registration Now Open: 11th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference: Held in Adelaide from 13 - 15 August, this conference will showcase and critically examine ways to effectively reach everyone living with viral hepatitis, while being inclusive of their experiences and concerns. Abstracts close on 2 April. For more information, please visit the conference website.

JOBS

Respectful Relationships Education Writer/Reviewer: Education Services Australia (ESA) are looking for people to assist with the development of materials for an online professional learning module for teachers and an online professional learning module for pre-service teachers to support their agenda in terms of Respectful Relationships. Please contact Jill Wilson, Contract Content Manager on (03) 9657 9773 or at Jill.Wilson@esa.edu.au for more information.