I am a public health physician with both a government health protection role and a conjoint university appointment at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Main Public Health Activities (see blog for more)
Flutracking.net
I am the chief investigator of Flutracking.net - a weekly online survey of influenza-like illness across Australia. We had a record of 24,000 survey responses most weeks during 2015.
Banning Retail Tobacco Sales in Australia
One of my major recent activities has been Tobacco Ban Australia
Contemplative Practice in Public Health
Lastly, I have a
special interest in the role of contemplative practice in finding
clarify in public health policy making (or anything really!). How does
contemplation help us deal with complexity, ego, and ethical action in a
confused world. I was founding convenor of Buddhism and other Contemplative Traditions at
the University of Newcastle in 2014 and 2015. It is open to
undergraduates from all schools - the students have been very special.
Environmental (and other) Conflict Resolution
hunterairandhealth.net is a demonstration project to support community access to information on air pollution and health in the Hunter. I have an interest in conflict resolution/prevention in reviewing outbreaks and other sensitive public health issues - see our Google Group site for Outbreak Audits.
Bhutan AusAID Project
From April to November 2010, I taught 26 highly motivated students epidemiology and public health in the inaugural Bachelor of Public Health Program at
the Royal Institute of Health Sciences, Thimphu, Bhutan. I learned a lot about clarity in public health policy making in this country and the role of contemplative practice as a foundation for a Gross National Happiness development philosophy.
