Centre Overview

What is CHRP?

The Centre for Health Research and Practice or CHRP is one of four designated research centres coordinated by the Institute for Regional andRural Research and Innovation (IRRRI)at the University of Ballarat.

CHRP has two interdependent units:

• Research and Capacity Building Services which works for, and in collaboration with communities and organisations to undertake projects;
• Priority Driven Research focusing on six priority research areas which complement the expertise of staff and are regionally and nationally significant.

Who is in CHRP?

CHRP is a multidisciplinary team comprising over 70 staff and postgraduate research students from the School of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities, and the School of Nursing. Staff have many years experience in their respective fields, having worked for or been involved in a range of government, state and local agencies, hospitals, health services and community organisations. CHRP also has 10 external, Associate members who are active researchers working in other organsiations.

How is our work funded?

There are several ways.

1. You can contract or commission CHRP to do work on a fee-for-service basis. We can also provide advice and support to plan and design a project, or work in collaboration with your staff.
2. We can jointly submit an application for project funding; if successful, CHRP will undertake the research/evaluation.
3. We can jointly submit a grant to undertake research that is a priority for you.
4. We can develop a longer-term research program to which we both contribute resources and leverage funding.
5. We can consider whether postgraduate students could undertake the research.
6. CHRP also has a genuine commitment to its community service responsibilities. As such we encourage organizations and communities with little or no capacity to pay to contact the centre and discuss options for ensuring projects/research are realized.

Institute for Regional and Rural Research

The Institute for Regional and Rural Research (IRRR) at the University of Ballarat was established in 2001 to provide strategic leadership to advance the University's research activities and performance through:

• Developing research programs that advance the economic, social and environmental
• wellbeing of regions;
• Promoting research of national and international standing;
• Building critical mass and expertise within the University; and
• Fostering research into rural and regional issues.

The IRRR leads and coordinates the activities of the four Designated Research Centres. CHRP is one of those Centres.