There is a general lack of awareness of the particular vulnerability of children to adverse environmental exposures. To raise awareness of environmental exposures and the risk to children, we are collaborating with schools at The University of Queensland to produce and deliver educational material on children's environmental health targeted to undergraduate and postgraduate students, the continuing education of health care professionals, environmental health officers, and interested members of the public.
Education for Higher Degree Students
CHEP has a focus on education and training, adding a children's environmental health component to Masters Level education and short summer courses in the School of Public Health, in conjunction with Dr Luke Knibbs. CHEP staff currently contribute to the supervision of 15 HDR students at UQ and have had 23 successful PhD completions since 2014.
Intern program
CHEP runs an Intern program which exposes participants to children’s environmental health projects.
Responsibilities may include:
- conducting research to update World Health Organization training modules
- drafting a monthly newsletter, assisting staff with researching, writing and editing publications
- assisting staff with the planning and reporting of workshops and events
- undertaking some administrative tasks.
Interns will gain vital skills and networking opportunities in environmental health and experience of children’s environmental health issues and research.
Qualifications
Enrolled in or recently completed an undergraduate, honours, or master’s degree in public health, medicine, environmental health, international relations or a related field.
Excellent command of written and spoken English, experience with MS Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), excellent communications skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently are required.
Apply
The internship will be based in the Centre for Children’s Health Research in South Brisbane, and will be advertised on the UQ Jobs page when applications are open. Interns are provided with desk space, internet access and UQ library access.
This is an unpaid position with flexible hours. A time commitment of at least one regular day per week is required. Positions are held for 3 to 6 months
Education materials
Link between Air Pollution and Allergies
Our Collaborations
To maximise our impact, we have forged strong and active local and international collaborations.
Within The University of Queensland, we have strong partnerships with the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), formally known as the National Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX), the School of Public Health, and the Global Change Institute.
External to The University of Queensland, we collaborate regularly with:
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, WHO (Geneva, Switzerland),
- The Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) for the Environment & Health,
- The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Basic Research program,
- WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (Manila, Philippines),
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Durham, North Carolina, USA),
- Chulabhorn Research Institute (Bangkok,Thailand),
- Gwangju Institute for Science and Technology (Gwangju, South Korea),
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute - (Melbourne, Australia),
- Edith Cowen University (Perth, Australia) - BIS
- Telethon Kids Institute (Perth, Australia) - Raine study
- A SHARED Future &
- Indigenous Environmental Health Risk Assessment Team - Developing An Indigenous Value-Based Approach to Environmental Health Risk Assessment
We also work with scientists to conduct research programs in developing countries including Brazil, Thailand, China, Mexico, India, and South Africa. Collectively, these collaborations enable us to conduct research with global reach and relevance. It also means students and staff have the opportunity to gain exposure to, and experience with, major international and national environmental health groups.
Public Engagement
CHEP provides The University of Queensland with the opportunity to take a leadership role in engaging the public in children's environmental health and in child health advocacy. CHEP has recently taken over producing the Healthy Environments for Children Alliance newsletter, a joint venture from WHO and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). By engaging with public interest groups such as the National Toxics Network we can supply accurate information that will increase public awareness and ensure The University of Queensland is at the forefront of discourse relating to childhood environmental exposures.