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
TRANSFORM Team Celebrates End of Year with Research Centre Gathering
On Thursday, 11 December, the TRANSFORM team came together for their Research Centre end-of-year celebration. The event featured a thoughtful reflection from Professor Chris Bullen (Centre Director) on the achievements of the past year, along with an update on current...
Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa 2026 Symposium
Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu share a powerful keynote on navigating New Zealand’s rapidly changing research landscape — a message now published in Pacific Health Dialog at the Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa 2026 Symposium. Click here to read more
RNZ’s The Detail: Smokefree choking
TRANSFORM’s Director Chris Bullen speaks to RNZ’s The Detail about Aotearoa Smokefree obligations. To listen to the interview click here
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