Meet Professor Rob Carter
DATE
TYPE Profiles
Head, Deakin Health Economics
Please describe your role.
- Director, Deakin Strategic Research Centre for Population Health Research
- Head, Deakin Health Economics
- Director, NHMRC Centre Research Excellence in Obesity Policy
- Unit head for teaching ‘Priority setting and resource allocation’ in our Masters of Health Economics
- PhD Supervisor (seven students)
- Involved in a range of individual projects across Deakin research streams
The best part of my role is … when I get to do actual research work on the projects I’m involved with, and interacting with my PhDs and Masters students.
The most challenging part is … solving the people problems that inevitably come with leadership, and finding the work/life balance that is crucial to enjoying both.
I’m interested in the work of the Prevention Centre because … the economics of prevention is a key research interest of mine, and integrating economic evaluation into systems analysis is a key methodological challenge for us health economists. The Prevention Centre is also a great team of people.
At work I am always learning … to put my staff and colleagues first and work pressures second. Work pressures will always be there!
Before my current position, my most memorable roles were … Coordinating Economist on the national evaluations of breast and cervical cancer screening, and Senior Private Secretary in Senator John Button’s Office.
Most people don’t know that I … have a $6000 dog (a Bouvier des Flandres), am into kettle bells and love rugby.
When I’m not working, I most enjoy … my family, my garden and walking my dog at the beach.
The talent I would most like to have is … to hold a tune with some modicum of ability. Being 6 foot+ wouldn’t be bad either.
Right now I want to … get stuck into all my projects in the garden (hanging gardens, new pond).
I try to stay healthy by … doing plenty of exercise (gym, Pilates, swimming, gardening), being outdoors in my garden and building things.