Qualitative Research and Translation Lab

The Qualitative Research and Translation Lab was established in 2026 and is led by Dr Oscar Modesto and Dr Angie Ralph.

We provide methodological leadership in the design, conduct, and translation of high-quality qualitative research, with a focus on lived experience, meaning-making, and context-sensitive inquiry in complex social and health domains.

Qualitative methodologies underpin much of ACU’s applied, mission‑driven, and partnership‑focused research, particularly in health, mental health, community services, education, and social policy. High‑quality qualitative research is essential for understanding experience, informing research and practice, and supporting ethical and culturally safe engagement with communities.

We focus on four interconnected areas across research, training, collaboration, and translation:

• Research: high-quality qualitative and mixed-methods projects, robust study design, and peer-reviewed outputs.
• HDR and early career researcher development: supervision, mentoring, seminars, and methods workshops.
• Partnerships and translation: co-designed research, qualitative evaluation/implementation studies, and practice-relevant outputs.
• Capability building: shared qualitative resources and guidance, trauma-informed and culturally safe practice, and governance/consistency across projects.

Lab members

• Dr Oscar Modesto — Co-Lead (link to Oscar Modesto | ACU Researcher)
• Dr Angie Ralph — Co-Lead
• Professor Rachel Dryer link to Rachel Dryer | ACU Researcher

Student researchers

Our student researchers contribute to the Lab’s methodological development and applied qualitative projects across social and health domains.

HDR enquiries: We are currently receiving enquiries from prospective Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates.