EVIDENCE MADE USEFUL
Turning evidence into insight, in plain language.
We research complex problems, evaluate programs, engage communities and stakeholders, and help organisations turn evidence into practical decisions and action.
Research · Evaluation · Strategy & Program Design · Engagement · Capability Strengthening
About Plain Insight
Evidence is complicated. What you do with it shouldn't be.
Plain Insight is a specialist research and advisory practice helping organisations understand complex problems and turn evidence into practical action.
We work across research, evaluation, strategy, program design, engagement and facilitation, with particular expertise in population health, health equity and working with diverse communities.
Our approach brings together research evidence, sector expertise and community knowledge. We look at what the evidence says, understand what is happening in practice, listen to the people affected, and translate those perspectives into clear findings, practical recommendations and better-informed decisions.
That's where our name comes from. Plain means clear, direct and without unnecessary complexity. Insight is the understanding that comes from looking beyond the surface. Together, Plain Insight is about getting to what matters and making it useful.
Plain Insight was founded by public health researcher, consultant and educator Bernard Saliba. Depending on the project, we bring together trusted researchers, evaluators, facilitators and subject-matter specialists with the expertise required for the work.
What makes us different?
Rigorous without being inaccessible. We use robust research methods and communicate findings clearly, so evidence can be understood, tested and acted on.
Community-informed, not community-added. People affected by an issue should help shape how it is understood and addressed, not simply be consulted after the important decisions have already been made.
Useful by design. We design our work around the decisions it needs to inform. The goal isn't simply another report. It's evidence that helps you decide what comes next.
What we do
Research & evidence
Understand the problem before deciding the solution.
We design and deliver research that helps organisations understand complex issues, identify needs and gaps, and make decisions grounded in evidence.
Qualitative research · Mixed-methods research · Literature and rapid reviews · Evidence synthesis · Needs assessments · Community consultation · Survey and interview design · Focus groups · Thematic analysis · Research translation · Report writing
Evaluation
Understand what's working, why, and what needs to change.
We design practical evaluation approaches that help organisations understand how programs and services are being implemented, what they are achieving, how they are experienced, and where they can be strengthened.
Evaluation design · Program and process evaluation · Evaluation frameworks · Monitoring and evaluation planning · Outcome measurement · Qualitative and mixed-methods evaluation · Data collection and analysis · Program review · Learning and improvement · Evaluation reporting
Strategy & program design
Turn evidence into a practical response.
We help organisations move from understanding a problem to deciding what to do about it, bringing together evidence, stakeholder perspectives, community knowledge and implementation realities.
Program and service design · Strategic planning · Needs and gap analysis · Policy analysis · Options development · Implementation planning · Health promotion strategy · Evidence-informed recommendations · Grant and funding support
Engagement & facilitation
Better decisions start with better conversations.
We design and facilitate meaningful engagement with communities, practitioners and stakeholders, particularly around complex, sensitive or contested issues.
Workshop facilitation · Co-design · Stakeholder engagement · Community consultation · Focus groups · Roundtables · Rapporteur services · Conference and forum synthesis
Capability strengthening
Build knowledge and skills that last beyond the project.
We design and deliver learning and capability-building activities that help people understand evidence, strengthen practice and apply new approaches in their work.
Training and professional development · Workshop design · Learning resources · Evidence translation · Research capability · Inclusive practice · Health promotion capability · Facilitated learning
Health communication & social and behaviour change
Understand what shapes behaviour, then design communication and responses that make sense in people's lives.
We use research, behavioural insight and community knowledge to understand the cultural, social and structural factors shaping health behaviours and service access. We translate those insights into communication, resources and program approaches that are accessible, culturally responsive and grounded in the realities of the communities they are intended to reach.
Formative research · Audience understanding and segmentation · Behavioural and structural barriers and enablers · Health communication · Message development and testing · Cultural and linguistic adaptation · Community-facing resources · Co-design
Areas of expertise
Our work spans population health and health equity, with particular depth in issues shaped by culture, identity, migration, stigma, inequality and access to services.
Culturally responsive research, engagement, health promotion and service design.
Research and engagement examining how migration, culture, language, settlement and health systems shape access, experiences and outcomes for migrant, refugee and newly arrived communities.
Research, prevention, healthcare access, stigma, community engagement and evidence translation.
Research and programs responsive to sexuality, gender, community, culture and intersecting identities.
Research, evaluation and engagement addressing mental wellbeing, service access, stigma, prevention and the social and structural factors shaping health.
Understanding who services reach, who they miss, and the structural and practical barriers that sit between people and care.
Who is behind Plain Insight?
Bernard Saliba is a public health researcher, consultant, facilitator and educator with more than 15 years' experience across research, higher education, health services and community organisations, working at the intersection of research, community and practice.
Originally trained as a medical scientist, Bernard holds postgraduate qualifications in public health, health services management and research, and is completing doctoral research through the Kirby Institute at UNSW examining identity, stigma, community connectedness and healthcare access among Arab Australian gay, bisexual and queer men.
His work spans population health, with particular expertise in multicultural health, LGBTQIA+ health, HIV and sexual health, health promotion and communication, community engagement and health equity.
Bernard has led and contributed to research, evidence reviews, evaluations, consultations and health-promotion projects; facilitated community and stakeholder processes; and translated complex evidence for health-sector, academic and community audiences.
Bernard is particularly interested in the space between what the evidence says and what people actually experience: who is being reached, who is being missed, why, and what organisations can practically do about it.
How we work
Rigorous. Collaborative. Practical.
Start with the question
We clarify the problem, decision or opportunity before deciding on the method.
Use the right evidence
We bring together research evidence, service and program data, practitioner expertise and community knowledge.
Bring people in meaningfully
Engagement isn't something we bolt on at the end. The people affected by an issue can help us understand it properly.
Make it useful
We translate findings into clear implications, recommendations and practical next steps.
Selected work
Selected projects
NSW Health LGBTIQ+ workforce capability
Inviting In (resource development)
Health-sector engagement & synthesis
One Foot In
Multilingual health terminology resource
Health Inequities in Australia
GLAAMS+ multicultural health research
Strengthening inclusive practice in health services
How to engage
Three steps, no mystery
Start with a short, no-cost conversation.
Tell us what you're trying to achieve, what you need and when you need it. We'll work out whether Plain Insight is the right fit. If we're not, we'll say so, and where possible point you in the right direction.
Know what you're commissioning before the work begins.
You'll receive a written proposal outlining the approach, deliverables, timeframe and fees. For straightforward projects, we aim to provide this within 3–4 working days.
Clear milestones. Clear communication. Senior involvement throughout.
Your project has an agreed workplan, named lead and regular communication from commencement through to final delivery.
Plain Insight acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.