A new national scholarship has been launched to support research into the long-term health and wellbeing of Australia’s truck drivers.
The fully funded PhD scholarship at Monash University’s Accident Research Centre (MUARC) is supported by transport and logistics insurance specialist NTI, and delivered
through the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC).
The NTARC Driving Health Scholarship candidate will lead the continuation of the Driving Health Initiative at Monash University, a research project that examined the physical and mental health of professional drivers across the country.
NTI’s Chief Executive Officer Janelle Greene said the project will build on the principles of the Driving Health work to date, by exploring new and emerging health risks facing professional drivers.
“This scholarship underscores a commitment to the long-term wellbeing of the people who keep Australia moving,” Greene said.
“Driver health contributes to safety on our roads and the future of the industry. By funding this research, we’re aiming to deliver actionable insights that improve policy, workplace practices, and ultimately lead to safer, healthier outcomes for drivers.”
The NTARC partnership with NTI, MUARC, and the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) also delivers the annual Major Accident Investigation Report into the trends and causes of serious truck accidents within Australia.
Dr Ross Iles who pioneered the Driving Health initiative while at Monash University said he was thrilled to see the NTARC partnership taking ownership and driving it forward.
“The Driving Health Study gathered critical information about the health and wellbeing of the truck driving workforce. I’m excited to see this program build on the foundations of the Driving Health project so we can help drivers to be healthy and stay healthy at work,” he said.
The scholarship includes a 3.5-year fixed-term appointment with a stipend of up to $40,000 per annum.
The successful PhD candidate will be based at Monash University’s Clayton campus and supervised by Associate Professor Sjaan Koppel, a leading expert in driver health, road safety, and injury prevention.