Centre for Translational Health Research: Informing Policy and Practice (TRANSFORM)
Welcome to the Centre for Translational Health Research: Informing Policy and Practice (TRANSFORM) at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland. As a pioneering faculty research centre, TRANSFORM is dedicated to catalysing positive change in population health and wellbeing.
TRANSFORM is a dynamic collaboration of researchers and practitioners committed to advancing health equity and sustainable outcomes. With innovation and critical thinking at our core, we leverage our collective expertise to translate research findings into tangible solutions, redefining the future of public health through evidence-informed policy and practice.
At TRANSFORM, we aim to pave our own ‘path of change’ by demonstrating what authentic partnerships look like when working together with communities to drive meaningful change locally and globally.
Our Research
The defining characteristics of TRANSFORM’s research are:
- Translational: We take findings from research in one setting and evaluate their application and impact when scaled up in real-world settings and contexts.
- Inclusive: We develop and evaluate interventions with the potential to improve health for all people, especially those overlooked by services or underserved and disempowered by policies.
- Focused: We concentrate on the leading preventable causes of common health conditions—tobacco, alcohol, and food and physical activity environments—while also addressing emerging topics such as climate change and digital health.
- Collaborative: Our research starts with collaborations between scientists, clinicians, individuals, whānau, and communities impacted by health issues, as well as health providers, policymakers, and others with an interest in the field. This ensures our research addresses real-world needs effectively and has a better chance of informing policies, programmes, services, and practice.
Updates
Cytisine recommended as a pharmacy-only medication for nicotine dependence in New Zealand
TRANSFORM’s research has direct implications for policy and practice. MedSafe has recently recommended cytisine as a pharmacy-only medication for nicotine dependence in New Zealand. This decision is a direct result of years of research on cytisine for smoking...
Smokefree 2025 goal all but up in smoke
TRANSFORM's Director Chris Bullen speaks to RNZ's The Detail about Aotearoa Smokefree 2025 goal. To listen to the interview click here
Researchers with global impact
Professor Chris Bullen spoke at a recent University of Auckland event highlighting a group of researchers whose work has had global impact on the work he has been part of that has developed and tested novel ways to assist people who smoke to quit. You can watch the...
Our Leadership
Professor Chris Bullen
Director of TRANSFORM
Professor Andrew Jull
Co-director of TRANSFORM
Professor Robyn Whittaker
Co-director of TRANSFORM
Associate Professor Helen Eyles
Co-director of TRANSFORM
Contact us
We want to connect with other researchers, communities, and policymakers who have the shared aim of improving health and wellbeing outcomes for all.
If you have an idea for potential collaboration or want to learn more about what we do, please contact us: transform@auckland.ac.nz