Associate Professor Rachel Sutherland’s research has led to a significant paradigm shift in the model of scaling up chronic disease prevention programs, providing policy makers and practitioners with crucial evidence to enable rapid scale up leading to population level health outcomes.

This success is driven by her leadership of an implementation laboratory that employs a learning health system approach—a data-driven strategy that unites an academic team, policymakers, health practitioners, and end-users. Together, they continuously co-design, optimize, scale, and translate research into policy and practice.

This has been cited as an ‘exemplar model to maximise research translation and population health impact’, evidenced by a number of examples where her research has both informed policy and practice. This work has also garnered numerous awards at international, national, state and local levels including recognition in the NHMRC 10 of the Best (15th Ed).

Rachel leads research that integrates behavioural science (nutrition and physical activity), implementation science, and digital technology, significantly advancing knowledge, child health and economic outcomes (cost savings).

Over the past five years, she has achieved notable success in developing and scaling up three major healthy eating and physical activity programs across school and healthcare settings. Her research has resulted in significant translation and impact, with these programs being scaled up nationwide in partnership with state policymakers and an industry partner, and embedded into standard service delivery by the NSW Ministry of Health and Local Health Districts.