Public policy in the form of laws, regulations, and guidelines has a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals. As with any decision-making process in the public sphere, the formulation of public policies is complex and depends on a variety of scientific, economic, social, and political forces.

This subject develops students’ critical understanding of the theories and practices behind developing some of the most influential evidence-based science policies, from climate change mitigation to population-level vaccination initiatives.

This subject also provides an overview of the regulatory frameworks and governing bodies which influence the field of science and are relied on in Australian and global contexts.

Science communication is an umbrella term for the practice of informing and inspiring the public about scientific knowledge. In order to increase public understanding and appreciation of science, professionals must be able to explain scientific concepts succinctly to non-expert audiences.

The subject explores the important elements of science communications and empowers students to produce effective science communication through a range of media.

Students practice the techniques experts use to tell engaging science stories in order to bring complex ideas to life for a wide range of audiences. These highly transferrable skills prepare students for a diverse range of outward-facing leadership and advocacy roles where the effective communication of complex ideas is highly valued.

Public engagement is becoming a vital component in global health research and enables scientists to gain crucial insights and input from patients and the public. But what does best practice public engagement look like?

Students learn key professional approaches to ensure that information and outcomes from medical research are effectively communicated to patients and the public, so that these audiences can be informed of progress in the field and better understand the nature of science.

Topics include how the COVID-19 pandemic was dealt with in the public sphere and engagement improvements in retrospect, recognising patient autonomy via the provision of adequate consent, ensuring equity, and respecting and protecting participant privacy.

Social science concepts and perspectives are essential for understanding health issues and the responses to them as individuals and as a society. This subject examines different theoretical perspectives to explore the human experience of illness and the social structuring of health and disease. The impact of wider social processes upon the health of individuals and social groups is also examined, including processes that produce social inequalities, professional relationships, knowledge and power, and consumption and risk. Students investigate contemporary issues to explore how the social determinants of health can inform the complex challenges of technological, economic and social change in communities and societies.