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Transforming community health through research

Located at the Northern Rivers campus in Lismore, NCNM is dedicated to conducting research that enhances health and wellbeing across communities. Our team of expert researchers works closely with students, faculty, collaborators, and industry partners to explore and develop innovative solutions for improving public health.

Focusing on naturopathy, lifestyle interventions, and integrative medicine, we explore new pathways to address today’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Through rigorous research, we aim to expand the impact of holistic and complementary medicine, providing evidence that can shape the future of healthcare.

Would you like to contribute to shaping the future of healthcare? Connect with us to learn more about our research initiatives.

NACCHO Cultural Medicines Guidelines

Indigenous peoples have maintained and used Cultural Medicines since time immemorial, yet our health system lacks clear, culturally safe guidance to support health professionals and Indigenous patients. In partnership with , this co-design project is developing practical, Indigenous-led Guidelines grounded in our team’s previous empirical research and person-centred care, offering key messages and practical tools for health professionals. 

Project status: In progress
Contact the researcher: alana.gall@scu.edu.au 

Naturopathic practitioner weight loss study

Are you a naturopathic practitioner with experience in weight loss approaches? We invite you to share your insights and strategies for managing overweight and obesity in clinical practice if you satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• You hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in naturopathy
• You have at least two years of clinical practice experience
• You regularly work with clients addressing overweight or obesity

Participation involves a face-to-face or online interview (no longer than 60 minutes) at a time and location that works for you. Get in touch with our lead researcher using the link below.

SCU HREC number: 2025/006
Trial status: Recruiting 
Contact the researcher: romy.lauche@scu.edu 

Help us understand veterans’ health

Participate in a research study! Researchers at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ (SCU) are investigating the relationship between dietary intake and the mental wellbeing in Australian ex-serving defence force members. This online anonymous survey will take approximately 7 minutes to complete. The Australasian Military Medicine Association (AMMA) is funding the study.

SCU HREC number: 2023/184 and DDVA: 535-23
Trial status: Recruiting

Longitudinal analysis of Yoga and Meditation practice in Australian Women

Over the past two decades, there has been a steady increase in yoga research. However, most studies focus on short-term intervention periods, or cross-sectional analyses, leaving a gap in our understanding of the long-term practice of yoga, and its associations with health or well-being. 

This project utilises longitudinal data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) to enhance our understanding of the continuity of yoga practice. It examines the demographic and health characteristics of individuals who take up yoga, as well as those who continue or discontinue its practice. 

Indigenous-led Best-Practice Framework for R&D with Australian Native Plants

Australian native plants hold significant potential for health and wellbeing innovation, but R&D has too often been shaped by extractive systems that overlook Indigenous governance, rights, and knowledge protection. This project is developing an Indigenous-led Best-Practice Framework to guide ethical, culturally safe, and scientifically robust R&D with Australian native plants. 

Project status: In progress
Contact the researcher: alana.gall@scu.edu.au 

First Nations Perspectives: Strengthening the Eating Disorder Safe Principles (NEDC)

The are a national, whole-of-community initiative designed to help prevent harm in the way we talk about health, food, mind and body. To ensure cultural safety and meaningful inclusion from the outset, NEDC developed a dedicated Companion Document – – to weave First Nations worldviews, rights, and priorities through the full ED Safe suite.

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on African Migrants in Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted Australians' health and well-being, particularly exacerbating existing inequalities within migrant communities. Recognising the ongoing need to protect vulnerable populations, this study aimed to address the critical knowledge gap regarding the pandemic's effects on African migrants in New South Wales. It explored their well-being, coping strategies, healthcare access, and views on vaccine rollout. The findings will inform culturally competent health and social services, policy, and future pandemic preparedness for migrant populations. 

National survey for Autistic adults in Australia

Are you an Autistic adult living in Australia? Researchers at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ are conducting an anonymous online survey to better understand the diets, wellbeing, and lifestyle habits of Autistic adults. Led by an Autistic researcher and co-designed with the Autism community, this 15-minute national survey is an important step towards improving health and wellbeing research for those living with autism in Australia.

SCU HREC number: 2024/122
Trial status: Recruitment Completed 

Maintaining your wellbeing during Ramadan

Ramadan is one of the most significant months in the Islamic calendar, marking the time when the holy book of Islam, the Quran, was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). It is a month of fasting, prayer and reflection, observed by close to 2 billion Muslims worldwide.   

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Depending on the season, and where you live, this can be anywhere between 12 to 19 hours. No eating or drinking, smoking, or intimate relations are allowed during this time. 

Flood Recovery for Regional Marginalised Populations [FLOMAP] Project

Evidence suggests that the impact of the 2022 floods may have been worse for marginalised groups, particularly migrants and refugees, those experiencing homelessness, and those identifying as sexuality and/or gender diverse.

The FLOMAP Project aims to understand how these marginalised groups were impacted by the 2022 Floods, and whether their flood-related needs have or have not been met to date.

Participants who take part in the study will receive a $50 gift voucher.

SCU HREC number: 2023/188
Study status: Recruitment Completed

Want to know what your microbiome looks like?

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ researchers are conducting a clinical trial, examining whether the consumption of Kefir can influence the microbiome. Kefir is a probiotic dairy beverage that has been consumed for over 2,000 years in the Caucasus region at the border of Europe and Asia. Traditional Kefir is made by taking milk and adding Kefir ‘grains’ which contain a range of symbiotic bacteria and yeast species. Many claims have been made regarding the health benefits of Kefir, however little is known about the effects of Kefir on the microbiome, the collective bacteria in the mouth and gut.

SCU HREC number: 2021/129; UNSW HREC number: 2021/RL00200
Trial status: Recruitment Completed