Apply for the PhD Public Health Opportunity at Curtin University in Australia: Co-designing Evaluation Frameworks for Peer-Based Programs to Enhance Service Provision

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Application Deadline: 20 August 2024

Apply for the PhD Public Health Opportunity at Curtin University in Australia: Co-designing Evaluation Frameworks for Peer-Based Programs to Enhance Service Provision

Project Overview

Peer-based programs have demonstrated efficacy in addressing various health and social issues by leveraging the shared experiences and mutual support within specific communities. These programs are particularly effective for groups, where traditional service delivery models may fail to address unique cultural and contextual needs. Research has shown that peer-based and community-controlled services significantly improve health outcomes among these populations. For example, in the context of HIV prevention and care, peer-led interventions have resulted in higher rates of testing, increased adherence to treatment, and reduced associated stigma. In the context of mental health, peer support networks have been shown to enhance recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

This research will employ a mixed-methods approach, structured into three distinct phases: co-design, pilot implementation, and evaluation. In the co-design phase, participatory action research (PAR) will be utilised to engage community members, program participants, and stakeholders in a series of workshops. These workshops will employ focus group discussions and nominal group technique to collaboratively develop bespoke evaluation frameworks. In the pilot implementation phase, the developed frameworks will be applied in selected peer-based programs across the four streams. Training sessions using experiential learning techniques will be provided to program staff and community members. Data collection methods will include pre- and post-intervention surveys, structured interviews, and observational field notes to assess the frameworks’ applicability and effectiveness. In the evaluation phase, both quantitative and qualitative data will be analysed. The refined frameworks will then undergo further validation through member checking and iterative feedback loops. Capacity-building activities will be conducted to ensure sustainability, including workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing the evaluation skills of community members and program staff.

Aims

The aim of the PhD Public Health Opportunity is to co-design and pilot culturally sensitive and contextually relevant evaluation frameworks for peer-based programs capable of capturing unique program outcomes and impacts.

Objectives

1. Review best practice evaluation strategies for peer-led and peer-based programs.
2. Co-design tailored evaluation frameworks across each stream with community members and stakeholders.
3. Pilot the developed frameworks in existing peer-based programs across the four streams to assess their effectiveness and feasibility.
4. Establish mechanisms for sustainability and continuous improvement of the frameworks.

Significance

This project addresses the gap in culturally and contextually appropriate evaluation frameworks for peer-based programs by expanding on the team’s previous work in this area. By involving the communities and services in the co-design process, the project ensures that the evaluation frameworks are not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable and meaningful to those they are intended to serve. The findings will contribute to the broader field of public health by providing evidence-based approaches to evaluating and improving peer-based programs, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and sustainability.

While peer-based programs can face significant resourcing challenges, robust evaluation processes are essential for demonstrating their impact and ensuring sustainability. By co-designing culturally sensitive and contextually relevant evaluation frameworks, this project aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of peer-based programs. The integration of insights from the W3 Project and My-Peer Evaluation Toolkit will further strengthen these evaluation frameworks, ultimately contributing to improved health and wellbeing outcomes for underserved communities.

This project will be based in the Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH), within Curtin’s School of Population Health (SoPH). The supervisory team brings extensive experience in community-based research, co-design methodologies, public health, and program evaluation. Existing partnerships with community organisations and service providers will facilitate the co-design and implementation phases of the project. This PhD Public Health Opportunity will build on previous work conducted by the supervisory team and contribute to ongoing research efforts in the area of peer-based program evaluation and co-design of public heath programs.

An internship may be available for this project. The scholar will have the opportunity to work closely with local non-government organisations such as WAAC, Health Consumers Council, Aboriginal Health Council of WA, Youth Affairs Council of WA, Living Proud, and Multicultural Futures, with which the team has existing relationships.

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Course type

Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

Australian Citizen

Australian Permanent Resident
New Zealand Citizen
Permanent Humanitarian Visa

International Student

Scholarship base

Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package, covering both stipend and tuition fees, amounts to approximately $70,000 per year.

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses.

Eligibility criteria

• Background in public health, health promotion, or social/behavioural sciences.
• Experience or interest in community-based participatory research.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with mixed methods research approaches.