Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR) researcher Angeli Tabinga has named as the prestigious Tim Fairfax AC PhD Program recipient, embarking on a research project that will investigate how sport can better support veterans as they transition from military to civilian life.
Delivered in partnership with The University of Queensland, this research will examine how participation in sport can foster connection, purpose and wellbeing after military service and will help build the evidence for sport as an effective health intervention for veterans and their families as they transition from service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to civilian life.
The PhD supports GMR’s recently launched Friends of GMR initiative, a national collaboration uniting veteran organisations and peak sporting bodies to support veterans through research, advocacy and community connection.
University of Queensland Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson, who will lead the research as principal supervisor, said the project had the potential to deliver practical benefits for veterans across Australia.
“Sport has enormous potential to improve health, social connection and wellbeing, but we need robust evidence to understand how, why and when it works best for veterans. The research from this grant will help build that evidence and provide practical insights that can inform future programs and policy.”
GMR CEO Miriam Kent said the scholarship represented an important milestone not only for Angeli, but for the future of veteran health research.
“We believe sport can provide the sense of community, physical wellbeing and purpose that many veterans lose when transitioning from military to civilian life,” Miriam said.
“This new research will help us build the evidence base for the role sport plays in veteran wellbeing, ensuring future programs are informed by research and designed to create lasting impact for veterans and their families.”
GMR congratulates Angeli on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing her research help shape the future of veteran health and wellbeing.
