Annual Meeting 2024

Tea and coffee served on arrival.

Welcome to Country

By Cliffy Wilson, a proud Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri, Ngadjuri and Arrente man

Opening remarks by Khaled Chakli, Interim Chief Executive Officer

Welcome from Professor Louise Baur AM FAHMS, President

Join us in welcoming and celebrating our new Fellows.

Professor Alastair Denniston, Director of the Centre for Regulatory Science and Innovation, University of Birmingham.

Do we, the humans researching, delivering or receiving healthcare, truly understand the impact of artificial intelligence? And is AI really ready for safety-critical applications such as patient-facing care? In this session, our international keynote speaker will discuss these questions and share current and emerging research and policy landmarks like the STANDING Together initiative to tackle AI bias, and CONSORT-AI to improve the quality of AI studies. Professor Denniston will discuss the importance of ensuring AI is effective, safe, sustainable and equitable, and examine the evolving role of humans in an AI-facilitated healthcare system.

The session will consider the unique challenges and opportunities Australia faces in adopting AI technologies ethically and responsibly in health settings. Our experts will discuss strategies for promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI systems, and ways to address concerns such as data privacy, bias mitigation, and regulatory frameworks.

• Dr David Hansen, CEO and Research Director, Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO
• Dr Xiaoxuan Liu, Senior Clinician Scientist in AI and Digital Health, University of Birmingham
• Dr Melissa McCradden, Artificial Intelligence Director, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, and The Hospital Research Foundation Clinical Research Fellow in AI Ethics, Australian Institute for Machine Learning, The University of Adelaide
• Professor Rajvinder Singh, Professor of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, and Director of Gastroenterology, Lyell McEwin Hospital

In this session, experts discuss the critical role of secure and integrated medical data sharing and university-industry-government partnerships in driving research excellence and healthcare innovation. The panel will delve into the transformative potential of digital health initiatives, highlighting successful multidisciplinary collaborations and the future of Big Data in advancing national and global health outcomes. Learn how we can collectively harness digital health resources to deliver value, enhance safety and quality of care, and empower the health workforce, researchers, and policymakers for the benefit of all Australians.

• Associate Professor Ben Hachey, Beamtree Associate Professor of Clinical Informatics and Data Science, The University of Sydney
• Professor Steven McPhail, Director, Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology
• Associate Professor Natalie Smith, Associate Professor in Practice, John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, The University of Sydney
• Professor Clair Sullivan, Director, Queensland Digital Health Centre, The University of Queensland

Join our expert panel members as they discuss the key priorities for our sector in the wake of the unsuccessful Voice Referendum of 2023. What, if anything, have we learnt as a nation in the last year? And how can the health and medical research sector work to keep the momentum going?

• Professor Dawn Bessarab, Director, Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, The University of Western Australia
• Dr Chris Bourke, Program Director, Indigenous Science and Engagement, CSIRO
• Professor Alex Brown FAHMS, Professor of Indigenous Genomics, Telethon Kids Institute, and Professor and Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, The Australian National University

60 mins break. 

What is the real impact of the health and medical research sector on the planet? And what toll are extreme weather events taking on our health and communities? Over three separate talks, our speakers will detail just how urgent the climate crisis is, and strategies and approaches the sector must use to reduce these environmental consequences now.

• Professor Tony Capon, Director, Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Professor of Planetary Health, Monash University
• Professor Rachelle Buchbinder AO FAHMS, Head, Musculoskeletal Health and Wiser Health Care Units, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
• Professor Jennifer Martin FAHMS, President and Board Chair, RACP, member of the Australian Government’s Climate and Health Expert Advisory Group, and Chair of Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Newcastle

At the nexus of innovation and health system resilience, Australia has a rare opportunity: to develop a national health and medical research strategy – with multigenerational intent. Against the backdrop of the government’s ‘strategic examination into the R&D system’, our panel of leading experts will explore the potential pathways for transformative research, discuss the challenges of integrating cutting-edge technologies into the healthcare system, and envision a future where Australia leads globally in health innovation and equity.

• Professor Elizabeth Hartland AM, Director and CEO, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, and President, Association of Australian Medical  Research Institutes (AAMRI)
• Professor Anna Nowak FAHMS, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), The University of Western Australia
• Professor John Prins FAHMS, Executive Director, Health Translation Queensland, and Chair, Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA)

Closing remarks:

Professor Helen Marshall AM FAHMS, Chair, SA/NT State Branch

Professor Louise Baur AM FAHMS, President

This year’s gala dinner will be held at the Rose Garden Pavilion in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Please see further details below.

Registration is essential – please purchase your ticket here.