Launch of the PCRN Victorian PhD palliative care student group

The PCRN Victorian PhD palliative care student group is now launched!

A key role of the Palliative Care Research Network is to promote activities that foster the next generation of palliative care researchers. In a world where a sense of connectedness has become so important, we are delighted to announce the creation of the Palliative Care PhD student group. The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for PhD candidates to share knowledge, experiences and provide a mechanism for informal peer support. Membership is open to any student who is enrolled in a PhD in a palliative care or related field at a Victorian University (this may broaden to other states in due course). 

Conducting a PhD is inherently difficult and undertaking a thesis in the field of palliative care typically brings additional challenges. We hope that the new student group will assist with lessening some of the demands of a PhD and create an environment for development of collegial relationships, shared learning, support and hopefully some fun! Congratulations to all the students have joined thus far.

Professor Peter Hudson (Director of Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Collaborative Centre of The University of Melbourne) & Professor Jennifer Philip (Chair of Palliative Medicine, The University of Melbourne & St Vincent’s Hospital in collaboration with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre) are co-leads of PCRN and facilitated the initial meeting of the PCRN Victorian PhD palliative care student group on 23 June 2022. 

Below are some impressions from PhD students who participated at the initial meeting:

It is great to be part of this group to get to know other PhD students, and for mutual learning and encouragement.”

Dr Aaron Wong

The University of Melbourne

I joined the group to network with like-minded PhD candidates, to soundboard ideas, and for support.”

Alysia Coventry

Australian Catholic University

What interests me about the group is an opportunity to network with other PhD students conducting research in palliative care. I hope to hear about the amazing work students are doing, to learn from one another and to share any resources students have found helpful along the way.”

Sophie Hatzipashalis

The University of Melbourne

My area of research interest is in Psychosomatic Palliative Medicine (Distress and Pain Management)."The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure; but to avoid pain". I joined the group to learn and grow from camaraderie, to share our learning experiences with one another, for a space to share our challenges and to support one another's research interests."

Usha Mogannavale  LinkedIn profile

La Trobe University

My PhD in Public Health is being conducted in collaboration with the Public Health Palliative Care Unit and Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University. Bridging the silos of palliative care research and autism research has been a challenging experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with other palliative care researchers in a supportive environment!”

Jennifer Lowe @Genueffa @OlgaTennison LinkedIn profile 

LaTrobe University