Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship
This top-up scholarship ($10,000 p.a.) is available to prospective HDR candidates who are awarded a UQ Graduate School Scholarship ($28,092 p.a., 2020 rate) to conduct high quality research that has the potential to advance community pharmacy practice.
Applications close: 28 September 2020
Scholarship History
The Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship was established in 1995 to commemorate the contribution of Mr Alan Grant-Taylor OAM to the field of community pharmacy practice. The scholarship assists Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates to conduct high quality research that has the potential to advance community pharmacy practice.
Past Scholarship Recipients
Dr Karen Peachey
Prof Lisa Nissen
Lisa Nissen is Professor and Head of the School of Clinical Sciences at Queensland University of Technology.
Prof Greg Kyle
Greg Kyle is the Professor of Pharmacy and Head of Discipline for Pharmacy at Queensland University of Technology.
Dr Christy Noble
Dr Christy Noble is registered pharmacist with more than 17 years’ experience as a clinical educator and educational researcher, in both academic and clinical settings. Her clinical education experiences have been underpinned by her formal postgraduate qualifications, Master of Education (Clinical Education) and Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy Education).
Her Doctor of Philosophy program, supported by the Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship, examined pharmacy curriculum and its influence on professional identity formation. This research has served as a platform for an ongoing research program in workplace learning in medical and health professional education, which has been recognised internationally.
Associate Professor Chris Freeman
After completing his Bachelor of Pharmacy at James Cook University and a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Queensland (UQ), Chris enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy program at UQ having been awarded the Alan Grant-Taylor Scholarship in 2009.
Chris’ PhD thesis was titled “Pharmacists as members of the multidisciplinary General Practice team: A new model of Australian pharmacy practice” which explored the feasibility and efficacy of pharmacists working more closely with General Practitioners to improve the quality use of medicines within the primary care setting.
Following the completion of his PhD, Chris’ major research themes relate to developing the evidence to support future roles for pharmacists in collaborative healthcare settings, reducing harm from inappropriate medication use, and tailoring therapy through personalised medicine.
In 2012, Chris became the first Australian pharmacist to obtain specialisation in ambulatory care pharmacy under the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (USA) and in 2015 he was a part of the initial cohort credentialed as Advanced Practice Pharmacists. Chris was awarded the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Young Pharmacist of the Year in 2011 and the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy’s Consultant Pharmacist of the Year in 2014 for his contribution to the advancement of patient care and to the pharmacy profession.
Amongst other roles, Chris presently works as a Consultant Practice Pharmacist at Camp Hill Healthcare, as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, and is the National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Eligibility
The scholarship is open to HDR candidates who are successful in receiving a base UQ Graduate School Scholarship (UQGSS) to undertake research in the field of community pharmacy practice. Applicants will be considered for both a UQGSS that provides a base living allowance stipend, and the Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship top-up. The UQGSS is applied for within the application form for admission to a UQ HDR program, prior to applying for the Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship top-up.
Applicants unsuccessful in receiving a UQGSS will not be considered for an Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship top up.
Selection Process
Selection will be made by the Dean of the UQ Graduate School on recommendation by the Head of the School of Pharmacy after consultation with a committee comprising of:
- the Head of the School of Pharmacy, or nominee, as Chair of the Committee; and
- the School of Pharmacy Postgraduate Coordinator, or nominee; and
- two members of the School of Pharmacy academic staff.
Applicants will be ranked on the basis of:
- academic merit; and
- relevant research and/or professional experience and achievements; and
- demonstrated track-record and/or potential to engage in activities that advance community pharmacy practice; and
- the quality of the proposed research program and its potential impact on community pharmacy practice.
Tenure
The scholarship may be held for the maximum duration stipulated in the 4.80.01 UQ and RTP Research Scholarships policy, with approval by the Dean of the UQ Graduate School and in compliance with all conditions stated therein.
Value
Total scholarship package = $38,092 per annum
The Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship top up is valued at $10,000 per annum, and the UQ Graduate School Scholarship is valued at $28,092 per annum (2020 RTP rate).
Available Projects
Applicants must obtain the support of a UQ School of Pharmacy academic staff member as their Principal Advisor before applying for HDR program admission or scholarship. Applicants can work with their proposed Principal Advisor to develop a project tailored to their specific interests, or alternatively they can seek to undertake one of the projects listed below.
Applicants must have agreed on supervision arrangements with their nominated Principal Advisor before applying for a HDR program admission or scholarships.
Implementing Pharmacogenomics into Community Pharmacy Practice to Personalise the Treatment of Depression
Principal advisor: Associate Professor Chris Freeman
Associate advisor/s: Doctor Adam La Caze
Evidence to demonstrate the clinical utility of pharmacogenomics in guiding therapeutic decisions in Australian clinical practice is lacking. This project will address this gap. The project will a) address the current gaps in the evidence to support the application of pharmacogenomics in depression by conducting the largest clinical utility study of pharmacogenomic-guided treatment of depression in Australian Community Pharmacies and b) reduce the barriers to clinical uptake of pharmacogenomics testing for individuals with depression by building Community Pharmacy workforce capacity through the development of pragmatic and evidence-based decision support and training to health professionals in translating genetic laboratory test results into actionable prescribing decisions.
Developing and Implementing a Community Pharmacy Practice Based Research Network to Translate Evidence into Practice
Principal advisor: Associate Professor Chris Freeman
Associate advisor/s: Associate Professor Neil Cottrell
Practice-based research is an approach to answering real world questions through partnerships between practitioners and academic researchers. Domain five of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia relates to education and research addressing the way in which pharmacists contribute to the body of knowledge available to support and guide the development of health and professional practice and medicines use. This project will enable and drive primary care and community pharmacy practice-based research which will lead, inform and support professional pharmacy practice.
The ethics of pharmacogenomic testing in community pharmacy
Principal advisor: Doctor Adam La Caze
Associate advisor/s: Associate Professor Chris Freeman
Pharmacogenomic tests are becoming more important in primary care. This project will explore the ethics of pharmacogenomic testing in community pharmacy. The project will seek to provide guidance to pharmacists regarding their responsibilities when recommending, undertaking or providing advice in relation to pharmacogenomic tests.
Pharmacy ethics and the opioid crisis
Principal advisor: Doctor Adam La Caze
Associate advisor/s: To be determined
How should pharmacists respond to the opioid crisis? What are the responsibilities of pharmacists when dispensing, counselling or providing advice regarding opioids? This project seeks to provide guidance to pharmacists regarding their responsibilities for reducing opioid-related harm.
Medication information provision and services during pregnancy and breast feeding – exploring opportunities for Community Pharmacists
Principal advisor: Associate Professor Karen Whitfield
Associate advisor/s: To be determined
During pregnancy, women often weigh up the benefits of treatment against potential risks to their infant. Non-adherence to essential treatment is common and can adversely affect both mother and child. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to provide evidence based information to women about medications in pregnancy and breast feeding. However, training and education is required for community pharmacists to confidently provide these services. This research will explore the perceptions of community pharmacists about services that are currently provided to pregnant and breast feeding women, as well as potential services that could be provided. The study will also explore the perceptions of women about the services provided by community pharmacists to pregnant and breast feeding women and any services that they would like to be provided. Using this data education and training packages and/or tool kits will be developed and piloted to evaluate impact.
How to Apply
- Check that you are eligible for admission to a HDR program and for award of the UQ Graduate School Scholarship.
- Make sure your CV is up-to-date and aligned with the ranking criteria listed above (refer to the selection process above).
- Contact your prospective Principal Advisor and obtain agreement for supervision, project suitability, and scholarship application.
- Submit your Higher Degree by Research application online for program admission, which will include therein your application for a UQ Graduate School Scholarship.
- Submit your Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship top-up application form here by the 28/09/2020.
Support
For more information or assistance on applying for this scholarship, please contact the Graduate School’s HDR Liaison Officer: hdr.pharmacy@enquire.uq.edu.au.