Bold Ideas Better Solutions 2024 Symposium Summary

The Hopkins Centre extends its deepest thanks for your attendance and participation at the 8th annual Bold Ideas Better Solutions Symposium (#BIBS24) held last week on Wednesday 23rd October 2024.

With over 250 registrants (including online) and participation of 39 esteemed presenters, all delegates contributed to a very successful hybrid symposium! The Centre thanks our diverse community and membership of clinicians, researchers, service users, citizens, and industry partners, who collectively enriched the discussions and presentations around this year’s theme of ‘Interdisciplinary research: solving complex rehabilitation challenges'. 

The day-long symposium focused on the value of interdisciplinary research teams, innovative solutions, emerging health interventions and collaborative research in solving complex rehabilitation challenges. Presentations from lived experience experts, clinicians and academic researchers on diverse topics including sleep rehabilitation, pain management, enabling technologies, mental health, supports and sustainable employment, highlighted the value of meaningful research partnerships to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals with long-term and complex rehabilitation needs, and their support networks. We were also pleased to create an inclusive and accessible symposium environment, supporting all delegates to participate with Auslan interpreting services, captions and copies of symposium resources, presentations and event recording. 

Throughout the day, we:

  • Enjoyed official opening and welcome speeches from Dr Jeremy Wellwood (Executive Director, Princess Alexandra Hospital) and Mr Neil Singleton (Commissioner, Motor Accident Insurance Commission),
  • Heard a stimulating keynote address from Professor David Berlowitz about sleep and rehabilitation, and what we need to do better,
  • Spotlighted the pre-launch of Belinda Adam’s OAM new book “I bought a bus”. With the official public launch on 16 November 2024 and book purchases available here,
  • Viewed Poster Displays showcasing research endeavours from across the Centre and partner organisations, 
  • Heard from 39 speakers on an array of interdisciplinary research, clinical research fellowships, seed grants and more.
  • Announced the Inclusive Futures Research Writing Competition, encouraging researchers to write about their research in easy-to-understand language and how it contributes to an inclusive future for all. More details here 
  • Welcomed MSH Board Member Matt Ames who presented The Hopkins Centre Research Awards in the final session of the day.

 

Among other aspects of the day's proceedings, the symposium exemplified our commitment to showcasing, connecting, and sharing new ideas, that will shape the future of disability and rehabilitation.

For those who missed out on attending or tuning-in online, copies of event proceedings, presentations and electronic versions of research posters are now available on The Hopkins Centre website, here.

We must also extend our congratulations to this year’s Research Award winners! The annual Hopkins Centre Research Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of Hopkins members, researchers, and clinicians.
Congratulations to award winners:

  • Early Career Researcher Award: Sam Borg
  • Citizen Research Award: Mrs Hannah Simmonds
  • Emerging Researcher Award: Louise Bassingthwaighte 
  • Research Champion Award: Dr Kylie Ferguson
  • Research Champion Award: Dr Kelly Clanchy 
  • Sustained Contribution Award: Dr Ben Turner
  • Research Team Award: Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre (MSPRC)
    The pain team is led by Dr Nicholas Aitcheson and includes Michael Deen, Kristin Tynan, Kelly Walsh, Niamh Jensen, and other collaborators.

    

We are also pleased to share opportunities to get involved in research with The Dignity Project, Citizen researcher essentials course and getting involved in developing of ROBIN (Returning hOme after Brain INjury) smart device application.

We are grateful to everyone who attended #BIBS24 and were involved in the symposium, exploring bold ideas that are being translated into better solutions for the future. Your commitment to advancing research, innovation, and collaboration in the disability and rehabilitation sector is truly commendable. We look forward to your continued engagement, research interest and future collaboration.

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