• A first for rural health research

Monash University's Centre for Rural Health has appointed Professor John Humphreys as the first Professor of Rural Health Research in Australia.

The centre's manager, Mr Rob Clough, said the position was the first full-time research professorship ever offered in the field of rural health research.

Professor Humphreys has a PhD from Monash. He has worked for the Federal Government and at several Australian and overseas universities.

• Guide to online chats

Find out all you need to know about online discussion groups with the new Flexible Learning Guide Number 6.

Getting Started With Online Discussion Groups provides an introduction to the nature and value of such groups, looks at issues of implementation, assessment and evaluation and includes links to relevant sites.

Copies are available from Vicki Mihalakopolous on extn 56800, or email vicki.mihalakopolous@adm.monash.edu.au

• Mental health conference

The Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology is running a full-day conference, 'Schooling and Mental Health', at Monash Medical Centre on 8 September.

Registration for the conference, including GST, is $143 (full) and $88 (student). Contact Ms Bella Lough, telephone 9594 1300 or email bella.lough@med.monash.edu.au