Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Emergencies and Health Security
Undertake a PhD in Health Emergencies and Health Security
Help society to prepare, respond and recover from natural and manmade hazards and disruptive events that produce new challenges for our health sector.
Worldwide, health emergencies, including disaster events, novel disease outbreaks and deliberate attacks on communities, are challenging the capacity and capability of our health systems. Health security is an increasingly important focus for those charged with protecting our communities from the impact of these natural and man-made threats to health.
A PhD provides the opportunity to deepen specialised/advanced theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in disaster health management and/or health security, to apply these in a range of situations, and to contribute to the current and future development responses to health emergencies globally.
I am an
International Student
Australia or New Zealand.
I am a
Domestic Student
I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).
Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences)
Duration: 4 years
Delivery mode:
In Person
Location:
Bedford Park
CRICOS code: 106269A
Annual fees:
2025: $42,700
Master of Science (Health Science)
Duration: 2 years
Delivery mode:
In Person
Location:
Bedford Park
CRICOS code: 106280F
Annual fees:
2025: $42,700
Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences) / Master of Business Administration (Future Business)
Duration: 5 years
Delivery mode:
In Person
Location:
Bedford Park
CRICOS code: 113539C
Annual fees:
2025 MBA (Future Business): $42,700
2025 PhD (Health Sciences): $42,700
Why undertake a PhD in Health Emergencies and Health Security at Flinders
- Join our highly collaborative research culture at the Torrens Resilience Initiative, working alongside and with highly qualified researchers and supervisors who are nationally and internationally recognised in the field of disaster management and health security.
- Influence and improve the nature and quality of prevention, management and response for health emergencies, using best available research evidence combined with professional practice knowledge and exposure to global expert networks.
- Integrate and apply the multidisciplinary skills and knowledge that are required to progress health policy, management and practice.
- Make an original, impactful and sustained contribution to knowledge in health policy, management and practice.
- Develop an advanced understanding of the socio-political and ethical challenges of health emergencies and health security policy, research and management.
- Benefit from access to global experts in a variety of sectors including public health.
PhD opportunities
There are a range of exciting PhD opportunities aligned to the Torrens Resilience Initiative (TRI), one of Australia’s longest-standing research institutes dedicated to disaster preparedness and management with research advancing the concept of resilience at a global level, helping organisations, communities and nations balance emergency preparedness and prevention, relief and recovery. The TRI is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Mass Gatherings and Global Health Security.
Potential areas of research focus could be:
- World Health Emergencies
- Disaster health practice
- Health systems research; resilience and complex systems thinking
- Analysis of future risks and vulnerabilities; improving national health security including mitigation, preparation and response capacities
- Chemical, biological and radio nuclear (CBRNe) emergencies preparedness and response
- Health at Mass Gatherings and in Crowded Places
- Prevention and response to Deliberate Events including terrorism
- Biosecurity and pandemic response
- Emergency and disaster management
- Environmental health and emergencies
- Health emergencies, Leadership, management and decision-making
- Humanitarian relief
Your career
Your research will have the potential to influence policy and practice in your field to deliver more successful outcomes and to perform advanced emergency management and response roles that apply to Australia’s disaster response in national and international settings.
Potential occupations include:
- Policy advisor (within government or international organisations)
- Research academic
- Emergency services leader
- Tertiary, community and public health
- Project manager
Potential employers include:
- Government
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Commercial industry
- Universities or research Institutes
- Health systems
Torrens Resilience Initiative
The Torrens Resilience Initiative (TRI) is one of Australia’s longest-standing research institutes dedicated to disaster preparedness and management. Our research is advancing the concept of resilience and helping organisations, communities and nations balance disaster preparedness and prevention, response and recovery.
Potential research supervisors
Dr Harriet Whiley
Learn what to prepare before approaching a potential research supervisor.
Learn what to prepare before approaching a potential research supervisor.
Ready to find the perfect supervisor for your research journey?
Explore Research @ Flinders.
Get Inspired
Listen to our HDR supervisors talk about their research interests and opportunities for PhD students
Flinders University nutrition and dietetics alumnus and PhD candidate, Chad Han, shares his journey.
Enquire now
Review answers to regularly asked questions about applying for a higher degree by research (FAQs).
After reviewing the Study HDR web pages and FAQs above, if you still have questions that have not been answered, complete the form. You must provide details about the Reason for your enquiry in the text box 'Ask a question here’.
For queries relating specifically to a project, direct your enquiry to the College where you plan to study.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
Follow Flinders
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University