Connecting research trials and evidence synthesis to improve efficiency and increase impact

We are seeking expressions of interest from talented candidates to apply for one of two PhD program focused on combining living evidence syntheses with adaptive platform trial (APT) designs to make research more efficient and speed up the impact on health outcomes. The PhD research projects will be part of a wider research program on integrating living evidence and APTs, funded by an NHMRC Ideas Grant. PhD candidates will be based at the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration, in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, at Monash University, and work closely with team members from multiple adaptive platform trials across Australia. PhD candidates will receive rigorous training in public health and knowledge translation, and have the chance to attend national and international conferences. We are proposing two potential projects and are also open to discussions with potential candidates about other projects in related areas. --> Project 1: Exploring how to use up-to-date research in health decisions by integrating living evidence syntheses and adaptive platform trials. This project aims to explore how clinicians, researchers, policymakers and consumers perceive and use updated evidence syntheses that incorporate the results of APTs. Using mixed methods, it will examine case studies in rapidly advancing clinical areas (such as oncology and infectious disease). The project will involve identifying factors that encourage or hinder ongoing use of living evidence syntheses that are informed by APTs, and will explore how continually updated trial and synthesis outputs can be communicated and applied effectively. The student will also gain expertise in conducting co-design workshops and qualitative interviews; and will have the opportunity to gain experience liaising with a range of research stakeholders including APT trial teams, consumers, journal editors and guideline developers. -->Project 2: Understanding how health research and policies can better adapt to new evidence. This PhD will examine organisational, political, cultural and methodological factors shaping how health ssytems use dynamic, responsive, research methods, including living evidence syntheses, adaptive platform trials and adaptive policy. Using mixed methods, it will identify enablers and barriers across research, regulation and decision-making, and develop practical frameworks to support timely, agile, and trustworthy evidence generation and use within complex health systems contexts.