UNSW’s Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation establishes research network to explore population health

The Rapid Urbanisation and Population Health (RUPH) Research Network invites UNSW researchers to express interest in joining.

UNSW’s Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation is establishing the Rapid Urbanisation and Population Health (RUPH) Research Network led by UNSW Medicine’s Associate Professor Xiaoqi Feng.

The RUPH Research Network will explore urban health and environmental issues and support building of transdisciplinary, cross-faculty research capacity among UNSW academics conducting research in Australia, Asia and the Western Pacific regions.

A/Prof. Feng pitched the idea at the Rapid Urbanisation Pitch Session held in February 2020. She is pleased to be partnering with the UNSW Grand Challenge to lead collaboration and discussion around population health.

“My experiences of building a successful research group and leading multidisciplinary projects has demonstrated to me the power of harnessing scientific, clinical and industry expertise and engaging with communities to shape healthier, more liveable cities for all,” A/Prof. Feng said.

“Population health issues associated with rapid urbanisation cannot be fully understood or addressed by any single research discipline. This is our opportunity to show thought leadership and encourage collaboration among UNSW researchers with diverse expertise and skillsets. Through this network we can work together to do research that engages with complex issues around urbanisation and promotes healthier, more sustainable living,” she added.

By generating knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities, as well as connecting early and mid-career researchers to senior academic mentors and established multi-institutional research entities (e.g. Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) Healthy Urban Environments and Urban Health Incubator in South Western Sydney Local Health District LHD), the RUPH Research Network aims to build new capacities for consequential and policy-relevant research.

UNSW’s Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation, led by UNSW Built Environment’s Professor David Sanderson, seeks to shine a light on how we can ensure our future cities are more sustainable, resilient and inclusive.

“Rapid Urbanisation tackles the demand for urban solutions to the challenges that face modern society, including depleting resources, increasing temperatures and continuing poverty,” Prof. Sanderson said.

“It’s so important to have these transdisciplinary conversations about rapid urbanisation. We need to ensure future cities are more sustainable, resilient and inclusive. I encourage anyone interested in this challenge to express interest and join the discussion.”

The RUPH Research Network invites UNSW academics interested in urban health and environment to express interest in joining the network and especially encourages early-to-mid career researchers to get involved. Find out more about UNSW’s Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation.