Bold ideas, better solutions 2019 symposium a SUCCESS!

The Translational Research Institute was buzzing on Friday 18 October when over 250 researchers, clinicians, citizens and industry representatives came together for Bold ideas, better solutions 2019, The Hopkins Centre’s annual research symposium.

It was a privilege to hear from Dr Kevin Cox AM, Patron of The Hopkins Centre, and to welcome Professor Keith McNeil, Acting Deputy Director General, Clinical Excellence Queensland to open the event, following acknowledgement to country by Aunty Lauraine Barlow.

This year’s theme, Discovery and Design in Disability and Rehabilitation attracted a stimulating array of oral and poster presentations and lunch conversations. This included two excellent keynote addresses. Professor Jackie Leach Scully, recently appointed Director of the Disability Innovation Institute, UNSW, challenged us to consider the moral assumptions behind innovation and technology along with the opportunities for personalised approaches. The significance of care environments was a timely keynote address by Professor Marie Elf, from Dalarna University, Sweden, who shared a wealth of experience in positive design of spaces for older people with stroke and dementia.

Technology was a strong focus with Professor Elizbeth Kendall and Mary Whitehead, Director of Occupational Therapy launching HabITech, an exciting physical lab based at Princess Alexandra Hospital that will allow consumers, clinicians, practitioners, developers and researchers to work together to design technology that is wanted by consumers. This theme was reinforced by an interactive exhibition and a lively panel discussion. Kelly Higgins-Divine, ABC journalist, facilitated a lively discussion about Revolutions in Technology Discovery and Design with panellists, Professor Jackie Leach Scully, Dr Libby Calloway from Monash University and Angel Dixon, Qld Young Australian of the Year & Disability Advocate. Leadership visions this year featured a powerful presentation on system reform from Mr Lachlan Burg, representative from our gold sponsor RACQ, and Professor Louise Gustafsson who introduced the ROAMM project on mobility and participation in the community.

Congratulations to our award winners:

    > Mr Tim McCallum, winner of the Translation Research Award, sponsored by Carter Newell Lawyers
    > Dr David Borg, winner of the Emerging Researcher Award, sponsored by Clinical Excellence Queensland 
    > Dr Claudio Pizzolato, winner of the People’s Choice Oral for his presentation on 'Interventions in restoring function in spinal
       injury with chronic paralysis'
    > Ms Tenefor her poster presentation on 'Exploring occupational engagement following mild Stroke through the use of the
       Occupational Gaps Questionnaire'.

and congratulations to the winners of The Hopkins Centre Seed Grant (Round 5), Professor Michel Coppieters and team, Janelle Griffin and team and Dr David Borg and team.

It was an honour again to welcome members of the Hopkins family to the symposium, Dr George Hopkins, Mr Paul Hopkins and Dr Genevieve Hopkins.

Bold ideas, better solutions 2019 displayed how The Hopkins Centre is leading the way in interdisciplinary and responsive research that is user-informed and embedded in practice and service delivery. Our mission to improve personalised rehabilitation to allow people to take control of their recovery and lives is impacting on the type of research that is conducted and how it is translated to benefit our community. Through partnerships and respectful sharing of diverse knowledge, The Hopkins Centre is generating system wide evidence and promoting the use of existing data to extend the quality, capacity and impact of rehabilitation and disability research. 

The symposium was convened by Griffith University and Metro South Health Division of Rehabilitation, the founding partners of The Hopkins Centre.

Thank you to everyone who participated to ensure another successful symposium, and special thanks to our speakers, sponsors, organising group, session chairs and the volunteers who ensured it came together on the day. 

         

View symposium proceedings and research posters

Join us again in the future to ignite new ways of thinking, harness new collaborations and inspire excellence at Bold ideas, better solutions 2020 #BIBS20.