The Sax Institute's North Sydney Campus is a hub for advanced health research training and professional development programs. While primarily a research institute, it offers specialized courses in health data analytics, epidemiology, and biostatistics, catering to researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals across Australia.
- Data Linkage and Analytics Fundamentals: This foundational course introduces participants to secure data linkage techniques using the 45 and Up Study dataset. Over 10 weeks, learners explore privacy-preserving methods, SQL querying, and ethical considerations in handling sensitive health information. Practical modules include hands-on exercises with real-world datasets to build skills in cohort studies and population health analysis.
- Advanced Epidemiology and Causal Inference: Aimed at mid-career professionals, this intensive program delves into epidemiological methods, including cohort design, case-control studies, and Mendelian randomization. Participants learn to apply statistical models like Cox regression and instrumental variable analysis using R and SAS software. The course emphasizes translating research findings into policy recommendations, with case studies from chronic disease surveillance.
- Health Policy and Implementation Science: This course focuses on bridging research and practice, covering evidence-based policymaking, diffusion of innovations, and evaluation frameworks. Through interactive workshops, attendees analyze Australian health system challenges, such as aging populations and Indigenous health disparities. Key topics include cost-effectiveness analysis and stakeholder engagement strategies.
- Biomedical Data Science Workshop: A short-course series on machine learning applications in biomedicine, including predictive modeling for disease outbreaks and natural language processing for clinical records. Participants gain proficiency in Python libraries like Pandas and Scikit-learn, with projects simulating genomic data integration.
- Ethics and Governance in Health Research: Essential for all researchers, this module addresses data sovereignty, GDPR compliance, and Indigenous data governance under AIATSIS principles. It includes role-playing scenarios on consent management and bias mitigation in AI-driven health studies.
These courses are delivered through a blend of online modules, in-person seminars, and collaborative projects, fostering a network of over 500 alumni. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect emerging trends like AI in precision medicine and real-time syndromic surveillance. With expert faculty from UNSW and USyd, the programs emphasize practical, impactful skills for advancing public health outcomes in Australia and beyond. Enrollment is open to diverse professionals, with scholarships available for regional participants to promote equity in research capacity building. Overall, the North Sydney Campus equips learners to tackle complex health challenges, from pandemic preparedness to chronic disease management, ensuring evidence informs national strategies.
