The Sax Institute is pleased to welcome The University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) as the newest member of its national network of leading health and medical research organisations.
Based in Brisbane, ISSR conducts applied social and health research with a strong focus on translating evidence into policy and practice. Its expertise spans evaluation, preventive health, health equity, mental health, suicide prevention, and alcohol and other drugs, with much of its health research commissioned by Commonwealth and state government agencies.
ISSR works with government, not-for-profit and private sector partners to undertake solution-focused research and evaluation aimed at creating positive social impact. Its broader research program spans health, social policy, education, employment, social justice, and families and communities, with a focus on issues including inequity, place, cultural diversity and the life course.
Research designed to inform policy and practice
A key strength of ISSR is its focus on research that responds directly to policy, service and community needs.
Its current and recent health research includes work across preventive health, mental health and suicide prevention, perinatal mental health, alcohol and other drug services, men’s health and stillbirth. The Institute has undertaken commissioned research for organisations including the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Queensland Health, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and Preventive Health SA.
This includes the Strategic Evaluation of Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s prevention programs, as well as Commonwealth-commissioned research examining the wider determinants of mental health and suicide, and a gap analysis of evidence for male health. ISSR’s work has contributed to policy development and ministerial briefings, demonstrating its strong focus on ensuring research is useful to decision-makers.
As the Sax Institute’s 80th Member, ISSR joins a national network of organisations committed to strengthening the use of evidence in health policy, programs and services. Its expertise in applied research, evaluation and policy translation will further strengthen opportunities for collaboration across the network.
Dr Martin McNamara, CEO of the Sax Institute, said ISSR’s focus on producing evidence that responds to real-world policy challenges strongly aligns with the Sax Institute’s mission.
“ISSR brings deep expertise in applied research and evaluation, together with a strong track record of working alongside governments and communities to address complex health and social challenges.
“We’re delighted to welcome ISSR to the Sax Institute member network and look forward to the opportunities this creates to work together to strengthen the use of evidence in policy and practice.”
Professor Lisa McDaid, Director of the Institute for Social Science Research, said joining the Sax Institute would support ISSR’s commitment to collaborative, policy-relevant research.
“At ISSR, much of our work is focused on working with governments and communities to understand complex challenges and use evidence to co-develop effective responses. Membership of the Sax Institute provides an important opportunity to strengthen those connections between research, policy and practice, and to learn from and collaborate with organisations across the network.”
Benefits of membership
Sax Institute membership offers organisations a unique network of leaders in public health and health services research. Member benefits include:
- Opportunities to engage with policymakers and decision-makers to help ensure evidence has a greater impact on health outcomes
- Being part of a national community committed to strengthening the role of research in policy and practice
- Being able to apply for our annual Research Action Awards, which recognise researchers whose work has positively impacted policy or practice
- Discounted fee on submissions to Public Health Research & Practice, the Sax Institute’s peer-reviewed journal.
Becoming a Member of the Sax Institute is free of charge. Find out more about our application process here.
PUBLICATION DATE
29 September 2026
