Research and policy partnerships


Inspire has partnered with leading academic institutions to build the evidence base that informs Inspire’s work, illustrates the important role its programs play in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of young people, and contributes to future policy debates that shape mental health reform. Our work is conducted in partnership with:

  • Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney
  • Orygen Youth Health – Research Centre, University of Melbourne
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • Swinburne University of Technology
  • Whitlam Institute, University of Western Sydney
  • University of New South Wales

Research Partnerships

Brain and Mind Research Institute

Inspire has partnered with Brain & Mind Research Institute (BMRI), University of Sydney. Executive Director of BMRI, Professor Ian Hickie, provides an ongoing commitment to grow the partnership. BMRI recognises that few medical discoveries are made in isolation, and that new and effective solutions require collaboration, a clear common purpose and an active dialogue with the wider community. This partnership will provide opportunities for Inspire to work collaboratively to conduct research that:

  • explores innovative approaches to the prevention of mental health problems for young people
  • examines the use of ReachOut.com in clinical practice
  • brings a rigorous framework to evaluation at Inspire.

Dr Jane Burns is an Honorary Fellow at BMRI and has worked with Professor Hickie for the last eight years.

This partnership was successful in winning an ARC Linkage Grant. Understanding and preventing mental health difficulties in young Australian men using the Internet. This project commenced in 2008 with the appointment of a Research Fellow and PhD student.

Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia (CIRCA)

This project is funded by the Australian Federal Government through the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme. It is a collaborative research project conducted by CIRCA, Dr Ariadne Vromen, and Dr Philippa Collin and explores how diversity affects young people’s opportunities to participate in government and community decision-making.

The impact of participation on the social determinants of health is of particular significance to the work of Inspire, as is further understanding and promotion of the contribution that young people make to the success of Inspire and its initiatives. This project will further build Inspire’s position as a leader in the field of youth participation practice and research, and will seek to influence youth policy at a national level. It will contribute to a national understanding of the relationship between diversity and youth participation and will directly inform the ActNow initiative.

Orygen Youth Health – Research Centre, University of Melbourne

Dr Jane Burns is a Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne University and holds a VicHealth Fellowship which is administered via Orygen Youth Health Research Centre. This appointment looks to build on international mental health research and its translation into policy and practice designed to promote better mental health for all young Australians. This work will be conducted with Professor Helen Herrman, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and the Secretary for Publications, World Psychiatric Association. Inspire’s Michelle Blanchard has commenced doctoral studies with ORYGEN.

Queensland University of Technology

Inspire has partnered with the Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation (iCi) based at the Queensland University of Technology. iCi is a multi-faculty research institute and has special interest in user-led innovation and co-creation of digital content. Its research solves problems relating to access, format prototyping, business development, regulation, multi-platform distribution, education, cultural acceptance and social uptake. The Institute’s research outcomes will improve industry, government, education and creative services in Australia.

The partnership was successful in wining an ARC Linkage Grant. Promoting Youth Wellbeing through Participatory Digital Media: A Multidisciplinary Assessment of the Mental Health Outcomes of ‘Cyber-Participation’ was submitted by a consortium of investigators including Professor R. King, Professor S. Cunningham, Professor J. Drennan, Dr K. McWilliam, Dr J. Burns and Mr C. Kuddell (from Tall Storeez).

Swinburne University of Technology

The E-Therapy Unit, co directed by Dr David Austin and Dr Britt Klein, were commissioned to undertake an external evaluation of Reach Out Central. This was funded by beyondblue the national depression initiative. A paper has been submitted to the Journal of Adolescent Health Shandely, K.A. Austin, D.W. Klein, B. An evaluation of ‘Reach Out Central’: an online therapeutic gaming program for supporting the mental health of young people.

Policy Partners

Whitlam Institute, University of Western Sydney

Inspire has participated on an advisory roundtable to the Whitlam Institute, University of Western Sydney’s: Young people imagining a new democracy.