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Overview
Research to gain and test knowledge is a critical part of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s work in helping women, girls, and gender-diverse people live full and healthy lives.
Find opportunities to be involved in research conducted by Jean Hailes partners, as well as some important research studies we are helping to promote.
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Overview
Research to gain and test knowledge is a critical part of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s work in helping women, girls, and gender-diverse people live full and healthy lives.
Find opportunities to be involved in research conducted by Jean Hailes partners, as well as some important research studies we are helping to promote.
What are research studies?
Researchers are always trying to find better ways to help people stay healthy and well. They also want to support people with a disease or health condition to achieve the best possible health outcomes. This means helping reduce the impact of the condition on their quality of life.
Research studies use volunteers to understand how people behave or think, or to carefully test:
- new medicines
- therapies
- products
- devices
- information and education.
All research studies in Australia are strictly controlled to ensure the safety of volunteers.
Researchers need volunteers with a particular disease or health problem. They also need people without the condition, so they can compare both groups.
There are different types of research studies. Some studies might involve simple tasks, including:
- filling in a survey
- taking part in a focus group
- being ‘observed’ while you complete tasks over time.
Other studies, often called ‘clinical trials’, are more involved and require:
- scans
- blood tests
- taking medicines.
Why get involved in research studies?
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.
Your involvement might help improve:
- what information is shared
- how this information is shared
This way, 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, such as:
- access to new treatments before they are widely available
- additional support 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
- how much time this might take
- any possible risks and benefits.
Researchers can provide you with a ‘plain language explanation’ of the study, which will help you with your decision.
We only do studies that have received ethics approval from their relevant Human Research Ethics Committee.
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.
The Join Us register
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. For each person who registers via our link, Join Us will donate $15 to Jean Hailes.
Learn more and sign up
Current research studies
Researchers at Griffith University are conducting an online longitudinal study to explore what people with endometriosis eat, the nutrition support they receive, and how this relates to symptoms and wellbeing in the first year after diagnosis. They are looking for women aged 15 years or older, living in Australia, who have been diagnosed with endometriosis within the last 3 months. Results are expected to establish the foundations for a future, long-term study that can better capture the impact of nutrition on symptoms, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals with endo and inform the development of a structured, evidence-based model of care for healthcare professionals.
Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 2025/815).
Researchers at Victoria University are inviting women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to take part in a study exploring:
- how home-based and lab-based HIIT can impact physical and mental health.
This study is open to women:
- aged 18–45 years
- who have been diagnosed with PCOS
- are premenopausal
- have a BMI above 25 kg/m²
- are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications that affect insulin or metabolism.
The study involves:
- a 12-week supervised exercise program (conducted either at home via Zoom or in the lab at Footscray Park campus)
- health assessments before and after the program.
Participants will also be invited to take part in focus group discussions to share their experiences.
Learn more and register your interest
This research has been approved by the Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: HRE24-090) and is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624001236583).
Researchers from the University of Melbourne are comparing two proven treatments for IBS in an online clinical trial:
- a dietary treatment
- a psychological treatment.
They are seeking women in Australia who:
- are aged 18 and over
- who have been diagnosed with IBS.
Findings will help tailor treatment recommendations for IBS based on individual symptom profiles.
Learn more and register your interest
Ethics approval: University of Melbourne Human Ethics Committee, Project ID 33186.
Researchers at Deakin University are conducting a 15-minute online survey to explore women’s experiences accessing:
- affordable, nutritious food when considering or preparing for a future pregnancy.
They are looking for women:
- aged 18-44
- who are living in Victoria
- considering a future pregnancy.
This research will provide insight into the prevalence of food insecurity among women in the pre-pregnancy period and help identify those most at risk.
Findings will:
- inform future research with primary healthcare providers and the charitable food sector
- guide early intervention strategies and public health programs to better support women before pregnancy.
This research has been approved by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (reference number: 2024/HE000722).
Researchers at James Cook University are inviting women across Australia to participate in an anonymous online survey examining:
- the psychosocial impact of adenomyosis.
Led by Honours student Sarah McDonnell, the study – Beyond the Pain: The Psychosocial Impacts of Adenomyosis in Australia – seeks to:
- better understand how this under-recognised condition affects
- mental health, social relationships, and overall quality of life.
Women aged 18 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of adenomyosis are eligible to participate in a 20-minute survey that explores experiences across various areas, including:
- emotional wellbeing,
- daily functioning
- access to care.
Insights gathered from this research will help:
- inform future health services
- support pathways
- advocacy for women living with adenomyosis.
For more information, please contact Sarah McDonnell.
This project has been approved by the James Cook University Human Research Ethics Committee (25H-0015).
Can a supportive diet and exercise program prevent the development of knee osteoarthritis in women over 50?
Researchers at the University of Sydney and their international collaborators are conducting the first known study to prevent knee osteoarthritis.
The study compares:
- the impact of a structured diet and exercise program with a health education program to prevent the incidence of knee osteoarthritis.
The researchers are looking for women:
- over 50 years old
- who are living in Sydney
- is overweight
- have little to no knee pain.
To participate, please register your interest.
This study has been approved by the Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 2023/ETH00669).
Researchers at Monash University are investigating the impact of two different dietary patterns on depression and gut-related symptoms.
You may be eligible if you:
- are over 18 years old
- have depression.
The study involves a four-week period where participants will have all of their meals and snacks delivered to their door at no cost.
They are looking for people who:
- are willing to have blood and stool samples taken at two separate appointments.
Locations are either in Melbourne at Alfred Hospital, or Geelong at Barwon Health.
These samples will provide the researchers with valuable information about how the different dietary patterns may impact participants.
The findings from this study could aid in:
- the development of improved therapeutic options for people suffering from depression.
If you would like to know more about this study, please contact:
- optimismscreen@monash.edu, or
- call 0404 434 345.
If you are interested in participating please complete this pre-screening questionnaire.
Human research ethics approval: Ethics Committee Project ID: 44424 (Monash); 96875 (Barwon Health).
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 to take part in the ‘Love Your Brain’ trial to reduce the risk of stroke. Volunteer profile:
- aged 45 or older who have never had a stroke or major heart event
- with stable internet access.
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 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
- 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.
If you’re interested in participating, please send an email.
Human research ethics approval: UNSW Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: iRECS3106).
Researchers from Macquarie University invite you to participate in a study to help us understand:
- how endometriosis impacts you and your relationships
This way we can improve support for the people 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
- 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.
You might be eligible to participate if you are a woman:
- over 55 years
- residing in Australia
- you experiencing difficulties with going to sleep
- waking up at night or waking up early in the morning.
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).
Learn more and register your interest
Human research ethics approval: Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (#38104).
Researchers are looking for women:
- aged 18 to 45 years
- who are currently trying to conceive a baby
- or have tried in the past 6months.
The study aims to explore the pre-pregnancy diets of people with and without endometriosis.
Participants will receive:
- a free nutrition analysis summary
- a 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.
You may be eligible to participate if you are:
- aged over 18
- live in New South Wales
- have a diagnosis of endometriosis.
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).
Researchers at the Alfred Psychiatry research centre are running a clinical trial comparing the efficacy of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and antidepressants in treating menopausal depression. They are looking for women aged 40-65 who are experiencing depressive symptoms and not currently receiving hormonal or antidepressant treatment. The findings will be used to advocate for broader recognition of menopausal depression and education on targeted treatment approaches.
Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee HREC/107133/Alfred-2024 (Local Reference: Project 184/24).
Researchers at Monash University are conducting an online survey to investigate access to family planning information and care by South Asian migrant women in Australia. You are eligible to participate if you are a woman, aged 18-49 years, were born in India, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka and are proficient in English. Your answers will be anonymous and will help the researchers understand the methods of family planning used, and the barriers and enablers to family planning access.
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 47020).
Review process
Our review process
This information has been reviewed by clinical experts and is based on the latest evidence.
Our content review process ensures our health information is accurate, trustworthy, current and useful.
We regularly check our information to make sure it reflects the latest clinical guidelines and key findings from large, reliable studies.
Where possible, we focus on Australian research to make our information more relevant locally.
Experts play a key role in reviewing our content. Clinicians at Jean Hailes check information for accuracy and real‑world relevance. These include GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and allied health professionals.
We also work with partner organisations, independent specialists and people with lived experience to make sure our content reflects both expert knowledge and the experiences of the community.
