Caroline Miller

Professor Caroline Miller

NHMRC Externally-Funded Research Fellow E

School of Public Health

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Professor Caroline Miller is the Director of the Health Policy Centre at SAHMRI. She is also an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow (EL2) at the University of Adelaide. Caroline is qualified in Psychology, Economics and Public Health.

The Health Policy Centre undertakes research in public health prevention - specialising in tobacco control, obesity prevention, COVID-19 policy and alcohol. The Centre delivers timely and relevant evidence to inform public health policy decision-making, social marketing campaigns, and other public health interventions to change health behaviours and reduce the preventable burdens of disease.

Caroline has specialised in tobacco control for over 25 years. She was one of a select group of scientists advising the Australian Government on world-leading tobacco plain packaging laws. She led elements and contributed to the larger research program which underpinned the law, and its defence against international legal challenges. She established and leads the Tobacco Control Research + Evaluation program which undertakes population monitoring, research and evaluation in all aspects of tobacco control, including vaping.

Caroline leads an NHMRC-funded program of research in obesity prevention, with a specialist focus on ultra-processed foods and beverages, including sugar sweetened and non-sugar sweetened beverages. She has specialist expertise in labelling and is currently investigating added sugar labels and consumer warning labels for beverages. The Centre also has research interests in weight-related stigma.

The Health Policy Centre has specialist expertise in health communication and social marketing campaigns. Caroline's doctoral studies were in social marketing. The Centre brings decades of experience in tobacco control campaigns, and recent experience in alcohol and maternal health.

Currently the Centre includes a COVID-19 Analytics Unit providing rapid evidence syntheses, mathematical modelling in partnership, and strategic advice to support Australian responses to COVID-19.

Previously the Centre has undertaken research investigating the unmet psychological needs and help-seeking in adolescents; psychosocial needs of people who have been diagnosed with cancer; and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in cancer.

Caroline is Vice President (Policy) Public Health Association of Australia, board member of Obesity Australia, and council member of Australian New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS). Caroline leads SAHMRI’s Community and Consumer Engagement strategy.

Professor Miller is leading a program of research investigating population level interventions to curb population over consumption of sugary beverages, and substitution effects with non-sugar sweetened beverages. She has specialist expertise in tobacco labelling and is investigating added sugar labels and consumer warning labels for beverages. 

Professor Miller is interested in supervising student projects in tobacco control and in obesity prevention policy, particularly relating to ultra-processed foods and beverages. She is available to co-supervise and collaborate in other areas involving behavioural science, health communication and social marketing, primary and secondary prevention and public health policy.

Available to supervise Honours, Masters and PhD.

For details on projects available please view the following booklet: School of Public Health Student Projects

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2021 Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2021 NHMRC Career Development Fellow University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2017 Beacon Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2014 - ongoing Director, Health Policy Centre South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
    2014 - ongoing Senior Research Fellow South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2012 - 2016 Principal Research Fellow, Beat Cancer Project SAHMRI
    2012 - ongoing Honorary Research Associate Cancer Council Victoria
    2012 - ongoing Executive Officer South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2010 - 2010 Executive Officer, Statewide Cancer Control Plan, 2011 - 2015 Cancer Council SA and Cancer Clinical Network
    2007 - 2012 General Manager, Cancer Control Cancer Council SA
    2007 - 2007 General Manager, Corporate Services Cancer Council SA
    2005 - ongoing Affiliate Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2004 - 2004 Executive Officer, Statewide Cancer Control Plan, 2005 - 2009 Cancer Council SA and Cancer Clinical Network
    2000 - 2006 (Inaugural) Manager, Tobacco Control Research and Evaluation Cancer Council SA
    1995 - 1999 Research and Evaluation Officer, Quit SA Cancer Council SA
    1995 - 1995 Research Assistant University of Adelaide
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Award Executive Dean's Award, University of Adelaide University of Adelaide Australia -
    2016 Award Best Poster - Mid Career Researcher, SAHMRI Showcase South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia $1000
    2015 Award Best Poster - ARMS Conference, Singapore Australasian Research Management Society Singapore -
    2014 Award Ray James Award Australian Health Promotion Associatio Australia -
    2012 Award Doctoral Research Medal, University of Adelaide University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award Kerry Kirke Student Award Public Health Association of Australia Australia -
    2009 Award Best Paper - Population Health Conference Public Health Association of Australia Australia -
    2001 Award Early Career Health Promotion Evaluation Award Public Health Association of Australia Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2012 University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Medicine (Public Health)
    2001 University of Adelaide Australia Master of Public Health
    1998 University of Adelaide Austrlia Bachelor of Economics
    1995 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Psychology)
  • Research Interests

Date Project/ No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2022 Centre of Research Excellence - Healthy Food, Health Planet, Healthy People Pettigrew S, Wu J, Mhurchu C, Sacks G, Neal B, Hadjikakou M, Jones A, Miller C, Veerman L, Seferidi P NHMRC $2.5m
2021 Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in aged care (PreSTAC): Effective evidence-based measures for rapid translation Rogers G, Crotty M, Morawska L, Bell S, Qiao M, Woodman R, Whitehead C, Papanicolas L, Inacio M, Miller C MRFF $1.36m
2021 Investigator Grant (EL2) Miller C NHMRC $1.45m
2018 Career Development Fellowship Miller C NHMRC $431k
2018 Future Leader Fellowship Miller C Heart Foundation $160k
2017 Project Grant - Warning labels for sugar sweetened beverages. C Miller, M Wakefield, S Pettigrew, J Coveney, S Durkin, D Roder NHMRC $781k
2016 TCR - Reducing sugar sweetened beverages consumption among young adults. C Miller, M Wakefield, S Pettigrew, J Coveney, G Wittert, S Durkin, D Roder NHMRC $671k
2017 Translational Research Projects for Improved Health Care - Eradicating preventable deaths from colorectal cancer – the Beat Bowel Cancer Project. D Roder, G Young, D Worthley, T Price, C Miller, S Wesselingh, I Olver, J Young, E Symonds, T Bessen, G Sharplin, T Young, N Lee NHMRC

$100k

 

2014 Partnership and Engagement Grants (for Linkage Project). S Pettigrew, B Kelly, K Ball, B Neal, C Miller, C Hughes, H Dixon, T Shilton Heart Foundation $40k
2014 Linkage Project - 
The independent and combined effects of front-of-pack food labelling systems and health claims on consumers' food-related beliefs and behaviours.
S Pettigrew, B Kelly, K Ball, B Neal, C Miller, C Hughes, H Dixon, T Shilton ARC $204k
2010 Linkage Project - Intergenerational transmission of dietary behaviour. C Wilson, P Ward, J Coveney, G Robins, C Miller, J Karnon, L Koehly ARC $214k
2009

Linkage Project - 
Investigating the indirect effects of child targeted food promotion on children’s diets.

S Pettigrew, P Quester, K Chapman, C Miller. ARC $106k
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor The roles of food promotion and nutrition information within meal delivery apps in influencing consumers' food choices Master of Philosophy (Public Health) Master Full Time Miss Jessica Morrison
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2023 Co-Supervisor (Unwrapped) Food for Thought: Exploring the Intersection of Waste and Nutrition in Children’s Lunchboxes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Neha Kishan Lalchandani
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Marketing and Consumer Perceptions of Sugar-Containing Beverages Positioned as Healthy or as Having Health-Related Benefits Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Aimee Lee Brownbill
    2014 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Alcohol Consumption in Australia: Can Awareness about Health Impacts, or the Presence of Children in the Home be Linked to Drinking Behaviour? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Jacqueline Anne Bowden
    2014 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Smoking Cessation Among Emerging Adults: Integrating and Expanding on Social Norms as Barriers and Facilitators of Behaviour Change Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Joanne Dono
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2017 - ongoing Member International Expert Advisory Committee on Plain Packaging Singapore Government Singapore
    2017 - ongoing Member Annual Scientific Meeting, Public Health Stream Convenor Autralian and New Zealand Obesity Society Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Economics of Cancer Advisory Group Cancer Council Victoria and Deakin University Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs – National Expert Reference Group on Tobacco Australian Department of Health Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Public Health and Health Economics and Policy Graduate Programs Advisory Board University of Adelaide Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Healthy Children's Menus Executive Taskforce Department of Health, SA Government Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Health Consumer and Community Engagement Committee SAHMRI Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member SA Academic Health Science and Translation Centre Executive SAHMRI Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member Research Advisory Committee National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia
    2012 - 2014 Member Paramedics Project Reference Group Health Workforce Australia Australia
    2011 - 2011 Member South Australian Cancer Research Collaborative SA Health Australia
    2011 - 2011 Member Eat Well Be Active Advisory Committee SA Health Australia
    2011 - ongoing Member SANT Datalink Steering Committee SANT Datalink Australia
    2011 - 2014 Member Expert Advisory Committee, Tobacco Australian National preventative Health Agnecy (ANPHA) Australia
    2010 - 2011 Chair Tobacco Control Social Marketing Committee SA Health Australia
    2010 - ongoing Member Expert Advisory Committee, Tobacco Plain Packaging Australian Department of Health Australia
    2009 - 2014 Member Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle (OPAL) Social Marketing Advisory Committee SA Health, South Australian Government Australia
    2009 - 2011 Chair Tobacco Issues Sub-committee Heart Foundation & Cancer Council Australia Australia
    2007 - 2011 Member Expert Advisory Committee – National Tobacco Campaign Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government Australia
    2007 - 2011 Member Research & Evaluation Committee – National Tobacco Campaign Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government Australia
    2007 - 2008 Chair Occupational & Environmental Cancers Cancer Council Australia Australia
    2006 - 2011 Member Public Health Principal Committee Cancer Council Australia Australia
    2006 - 2011 Co-Chair Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee Cancer Council Australia Australia
    2006 - 2008 Member Cancer Support Committee Cancer Council Australia Australia
    2003 - 2006 Co-Chair Ministerial Reference Group on Tobacco SA Health Australia
    2003 - 2005 Member SA Health Omnibus Survey Management Committee SA Health Australia
    2002 - 2006 Member Human Research Ethics Committee Cancer Council SA Australia
    2002 - 2006 Member Courses Advisory Committee, Department Public Health, School of Medicine Flinders University Australia
    2002 - 2003 Member Ministerial Passive Smoking and Hospitality Taskforce SA Health Australia
    1997 - 1998 Member SA Health Omnibus Survey Management Committee SA Health Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2016 - ongoing Member World Obesity Society United Kingdom
    2007 - ongoing Member ANZOS Australia
    2001 - ongoing Member Public Health Association of Australia Australia
  • Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice

    Date Title Type Institution Country
    2018 - ongoing Reviewer Journal Review American Journal of Public Health United States
    2016 - ongoing Peer Review Panel Peer Review Cancer Institute NSW Australia
    2016 - ongoing Peer Review Panel Peer Review Cancer Council Victoria Australia
    2016 - 2016 CDF Panel Chair Grant Assessment National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia
    2015 - 2015 Post-doctoral Fellow Panel Chair Peer Review National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia
    2012 - ongoing External Reviewer Project Grants Grant Assessment National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australia
  • Position: NHMRC Externally-Funded Research Fellow E
  • Phone: +61881284091
  • Email: caroline.miller@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Rundle Mall Plaza, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Public Health

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