Welcome to the October 2022 newsletter. In this edition:
A message from our President
You are receiving our newsletter a little earlier this month, as we prepare for our Academy’s flagship event of the year next week in Melbourne. AAHMS 2022 will be held from 13-14 October at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), bringing together the health and medical research and innovation community to explore ideas and share insights relating to this year’s theme, ‘Future health and transformative technologies’. I am delighted that we will highlight the completion of our major report on integrating research in the health system. I very much look forward to welcoming you in Melbourne for our first in-person meeting in three years!
This is my last letter as President as, after travelling through extraordinary times, my three-year term comes to an end this month. Having started my term in October 2019, the past three years have proven to be quite different to what anyone could have expected. The pandemic has posed incredible challenges, but has certainly allowed the Academy to showcase its crucial role in supporting Australia’s response to a major health crisis – from public health, to individual patient care, to virology and immunology, to name but a few of the many areas of impact. This is testimony to the dedication and commitment of our Fellows and Associate Members. I am proud of the significant impact we have made during these turbulent times. I thank each of you who has contributed to the Academy’s achievements during this period. Your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank our Council and Executive for your commitment and support during my term.
While my Presidential term comes to an end, I look forward to continuing to work with the Academy in my capacity as Immediate Past President and as a Fellow and supporting the Academy’s future endeavours and growth as a major contributor to the Australian health and medical sciences landscape.
Best wishes,
Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO FRS FAA PresAHMS
President
Annual meeting update
Registrations are close this week for in-person attendance for our Annual Meeting – our flagship event of the year. AAHMS 2022 promises an exciting line-up of presentations, panels and discussions on this year’s theme, ‘Future health and transformative technologies, featuring experts in health, research and innovation.
We will also be launching our major policy report on embedding research in the health system – Research and innovation as core functions for transforming health: a vision for the future. This report was the result of input from more than 260 individuals across health, research, government, innovation, and consumers. It outlines a three-year plan for embedding research at the heart of the health system to deliver better patient experiences, build a skilled and enabled health workforce, maximise the value of current investments, foster stronger consumer and community involvement, and build integrated teams and cross-sector collaboration.
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend our first in-person event in three years! For those who are unable to travel to Melbourne, we are delighted to offer streaming tickets.
Register for in-person attendance by 5pm AEDT Thursday 6 October. Online streaming tickets are also available. Contact [email protected] for assistance with registration.
With thanks to our sponsors for their generous support.
Honorific award nominations open this month
Nominations for our two honorific awards – the Jian Zho Medal and the Medal for Outstanding Female Researcher – will open on 13 October.
The Jian Zhou Medal is awarded annually to a rising star of Australian health and medical science – an individual who is making a significant impact in translational medical science, primarily working in Australia. Nominees must be a postdoctoral researcher within 15 years of completing their PhD (or equivalent first research higher degree) at the time of nomination. Find out more.
The Academy’s Medal for Outstanding Female Researcher is awarded annually to a leading woman researcher in Australia. Nominees and nominators do not need to be an AAHMS Fellow. Nominees must normally reside in Australia at the time of nomination. Learn more.
Sector news and upcoming events
ACTIVATE 2022 symposium
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) will host ACTIVATE 2022 -an inaugural STEM symposium – from 25-27 October in Sydney. ACTIVATE brings together 500 high-level representatives from across government, business and academia and feature keynote conversations between global and national future shapers, prominent technology entrepreneurs, industry leaders and researchers who will share their vision for a technology powered, human driven future. ACTIVATE will also celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australians in applied science, technology and engineering at the ATSE Awards on 26 October. Learn more and register here.
ACTA Annual Scientific Meeting
Registrations are now open for the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) 2022 ACTA Annual Scientific Meeting, including the Australian Registry Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held in-person from 7 – 8 November in Adelaide at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). The ACTA ASM theme is – Implementing Evidence into Practice: how do we plan, engage and act to ensure our trials have the greatest impact and change practice. The meeting will include talks from regulators and government describing how trialists, regulators and government can work together to ensure quality evidence is generated and translation into practice is fast and complete. The Australian Registry ASM has the theme – The Value of Registries in Challenging Times. This event brings together Australian Registries, as well as governments, not for profits and other funders, and clinicians and health services. Register and find out more about both meetings here.
NHMRC targeted call for research: cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity in diversity research
This NHMRC Targeted Call for Research (TCR) aims to stimulate research that includes culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse individuals; is conducted in a culturally safe and appropriate manner; and contributes to best practice approaches to dementia research conducted in Australia. Further details, including the grant guidelines, are available on GrantConnect and the NHMRC website. Applications close at 5pm AEDT 16 November.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Professor Sandra Eades AO FASSA FAHMS, awarded an honorary doctorate from Curtin University for her work in the medical and education sectors.
Fellows in the News
Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer addressed the National Press Club, calling for long-term, modernised skin cancer prevention campaigns, as highlighted on SBS and in The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald. Professor Long also spoke to Channel 9 about a new study on the link between diet patterns and how well a patient responds to immunotherapy treatment for melanoma.
Professor Harriet Hiscock spoke to ABC Radio National’s The Health Report about a recent review of interventions to help children get more sleep.
Professor Cheryl Jones led a seminar on anti-microbial resistance (AMR) for the ACOLA Parliamentary Library Seminar Series, now available online.
Professor Ian Hickie wrote about the need for workplace reform when it comes to responses to mental heath issues in professional services for the Australian Financial Review. Professor Hickie also spoke to the ABC about the need for data technology in suicide prevention.
Should ADHD be in the NDIS? Professor Andrew Whitehouse wrote about this topic for The Conversation. He also spoke to SBS about improving language for autism.
Professor Brendan Crabb spoke to The Age and the ABC’s 7:30 regarding changes to COVID-19 isolation rules, and wrote an editorial in Medical Journal of Australia and The Conversation.
Professor Fiona Wood’s ongoing contribution to burns treatment was profiled in Good Weekend.