Want to help future generations of women? Getting involved in women's health research might be an option for you.
Research to gain and test knowledge is a critical part of the work of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health in helping women, girls and gender-diverse people to live full and healthy lives. On this page, you will find opportunities to be involved in research conducted by Jean Hailes partners, as well as some important research studies we are helping to promote.
Researchers are always trying to find better ways to help people stay healthy and well, or, for those with a disease or health problem, to have the best health ‘outcomes’ (meaning the disease has as little effect on the person’s quality of life as possible).
Research studies use volunteers to understand how people behave or think, or to carefully test new medicines, therapies, products, devices or information and education. All research studies in Australia are very strictly controlled to keep volunteers safe.
Researchers need volunteers who have a particular disease or health problem, and they often also need people who do not have that disease or health problem so that they can compare people with and without the disease or health problem.
There are different types of research studies. Some studies might involve simple tasks like filling in a survey, taking part in a focus group or being ‘observed’ while you complete tasks over time. Other studies, often called ‘clinical trials’, are more involved and require scans, blood tests or taking medicines.
Being part of a research study is a great way to help improve the health and wellbeing of future generations of women, girls and gender-diverse people. For example, your involvement might help improve what information is shared, and how it is shared, so that more people can benefit from new knowledge.
If you have a particular disease or health problem, you might also get a direct personal benefit. You might learn more about your own health, get access to new treatments before they are widely available, or get additional support and attention from researchers who really understand your disease or condition.
Choosing to join a study is a personal decision. Before you join a study, learn about what you will be asked to do and how much time this might take. Also ask about possible risks and benefits. Researchers can provide you with a ‘plain language explanation’ of the study which will help you with your decision.
Only studies that have received ethics approval from their relevant Human Research Ethics Committee are featured here. Human Research Ethics Committees review research studies involving human participants to ensure that they are ethically acceptable.
For more information (and to search for all clinical trials seeking volunteers), please visit Australian Clinical Trials.
To make it easier for you to get involved in medical and health research that matters to you, we’ve teamed up with Join Us. The national non-profit register matches people aged 18 or over with relevant research opportunities. There is no cost and no obligation to join and for each person who registers via our link, Join Us will donate $15 to Jean Hailes.
Researchers at Monash University, the Stroke Foundation and the University of Tasmania have developed a free digital platform called Love Your Brain to empower people to take action to prevent stroke.
They are looking for volunteers aged 45 or more, who have never had a stroke or major heart event, and stable internet access to take part in Love Your Brain trial to reduce the risk of stroke. The information gathered during the trial will inform the Love Your Brain digital platform, which will become a valuable resource for stroke prevention for all Australians.
This trial has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 45883).
Researchers from the UNSW Sydney are investigating potential blood-based biomarkers for the early detection of endometriosis. They are looking for people who are willing to have blood samples taken at two separate appointments at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre in Sydney. You may be eligible to participate if you are over 18 years old, menstruate, and have a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis. The findings from the study could be used to aid in the development of a diagnostic tool for this condition.
Human research ethics approval: UNSW Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: iRECS3106).
If you’re interested in participating, please email [email protected].
Researchers from the George Institute for Global Health and The University of Sydney are conducting a study to better understand the advice provided to women regarding exercise and physical activity after a miscarriage. They are looking for women who have experienced a miscarriage (pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation) to share their experiences in a 30-45 minute interview via Zoom or over the phone. They are interested in all experiences, include those who didn’t receive any advice about physical activity after their miscarriage. The findings from the study will be used to improve physical activity information and support for women who experience a miscarriage.
Human research ethics approval: The University of Sydney Health Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 2022/HE000214).
For more information and to participate visit The University of Sydney or contact [email protected].
Researchers from Macquarie University invite you to participate in a study to help us understand how endometriosis impacts you and your relationships, so we can improve support for those living with it. The anonymous survey is open to anyone who has endometriosis diagnosed by a doctor, is 18 years or over, has internet access, lives in Australia, and is proficient in English.
Human research ethics approval: Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref. Number: 520241705656021).
Researchers are comparing an online mindfulness-based intervention for insomnia with a sleep hygiene program. This will help to determine whether such interventions are a helpful way to overcome some of the barriers to accessing sleep treatments for older adults.
If you are a woman over 55 years and residing in Australia, and you experience difficulties with going to sleep, waking at night or waking up early in the morning, you might be eligible to participate. You must have stable access to the internet and a computer, and you must be willing to complete an online sleep intervention program. By participating in the study, you will receive access to a self-paced online insomnia treatment program at no cost (normally $495).
Human research ethics approval: Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (#38104).
To participate, please register your interest.
Researchers are looking for women aged 18 to 45 years who are currently trying to conceive a baby or have tried in the past six months. The study aims to explore the pre-pregnancy diets of people with and without endometriosis. Participants will receive a free nutrition analysis summary and 15-minute session with a fertility dietitian to ask any nutrition questions.
Human research ethics approval: Monash University Ethics Committee (40311).
Researchers from Western Sydney University are looking for people with endometriosis to participate in a clinical trial testing two types of medicinal cannabis products on the symptoms of endometriosis. If you are aged over 18, live in New South Wales, and have a diagnosis of endometriosis, you may be eligible to participate.
Human research ethics approval: Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (H15755).
Researchers at the University of Melbourne are looking for people who have had surgery to treat gynaecological cancer and now experience urinary incontinence. The study aims to test new treatments that may improve urinary incontinence after treatment for gynaecological cancer.
Human research ethics approval: Monash Health HREC (RES-21-0000-626A).