James Kay
PhD student, College of Education, Psychology & Social Work (CEPSW)
Supervisors: Sam Elliott (CEPSW), Jasmine Petersen (CNHS)
Industry supervisor: Michelle Crisp, Office for Recreation, Sport & Racing

Madison Richter
PhD student, College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS)
Supervisors: Martin Imminik (CNHS), Sam Elliott (CEPSW)

At Flinders University, research thrives when experts from different disciplines come together. Cross-college HDR (Higher Degree by Research) supervision is a shining example of how collaboration supports students to deliver research with real impact, from improving female participation in sport to developing tools that help young people with ADHD thrive.

For HDR Supervisor, Associate Professor Sam Elliott, these cross-college supervisory arrangements grew organically through collaborations within the SHAPE Research Centre, a hub that brings together experts in sport, health, activity, performance, and education. Through these connections, supervisors from different Colleges joined forces to support students like James and Madison in producing innovative, high-impact research.

This partnership between Colleges like Education, Psychology and Social Work (CEPSW) and Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS), and with external collaborators, is a perfect example of how Flinders University’s commitment to transdisciplinary supervision allows us to tackle multiple challenges simultaneously, and from every angle.

Why cross-college HDR supervision matters

For students:

• Access to a broader network of expertise, research methods, and industry partners.
• Research that is more comprehensive, relevant, and impactful.
• Greater visibility with policymakers and organisations that can benefit from the research.

For supervisors:

• Opportunities for transdisciplinary collaboration that strengthen research outputs.
• New perspectives that inspire innovation and creative approaches.
• Enhanced capacity for producing research that spans both academic and applied settings.

For Flinders University:

• Fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Demonstrates leadership in transdisciplinary research that delivers real-world change.
• Enhances HDR outcomes, builds research capacity, and boosts engagement with government and industry

What’s this research about?

James’ research focuses on finding new and innovative ways to improve youth sport participation, particularly for female adolescents. His work closely aligns with the priorities of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and the Women in Sport Taskforce, delivering both academic research and practical resources that inform policy and programs in youth and female sport.

 

Madison’s research explores how motor skill development and executive function are connected, particularly in adolescents with ADHD. By developing a serious game designed to improve cognitive skills through digital play, her work uses a human-centred design approach to create engaging, evidence-based interventions for young people.

Success story: James Kay’s Impact

• The development of female adolescent sport re-engagement guidelines was only possible thanks to transdisciplinary input, including workshops (led by Jasmine), data analysis (Sam), and ensuring alignment with government policy.
• James had multiple opportunities to present directly to the Women in Sport Taskforce and other government Ministers, thanks in part to the public support and advocacy of his supervisors.
• His systematic review publication was strengthened by Jasmine’s expertise in review methods, while Sam and other team members supported writing, analysis, and ensuring practical relevance.
• The Enterprise Industry Scholarship also gave James exposure to an industry supervisor where they worked to solve real-world problems. Watch a video on that here.
• His research has resulted in both academic publications and industry guidelines that are now informing practice across Australia.