Brain injury community gather in Brisbane for 2024 QBIC Annual Symposium

In October 2024, the Queensland Brain Injury Collaborative (QBIC) held its annual symposium at the Atrium in Brisbane City, bringing together almost 100 researchers, health professionals, policymakers, and individuals living with brain injury.

The event welcomed 25 speakers from 15 different departments and areas across the trajectory of acquired brain injury, showcasing the collective support and drive within QBIC.

QBIC Director, Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah, said the annual symposium was a great opportunity to foster collaboration and bridge the gap between research findings and clinical practice.

“Our objective for QBIC has always been around connecting researchers and breaking those silos, and I guess this is a common theme that has been reiterated throughout the day today,” Associate Professor Nasrallah said.

“We really want those multidisciplinary teams working together and leveraging the expertise that’s in Queensland… working together to inform that continuum of care for patients with brain injury.”

Special guest speakers at the symposium included Dr Mark Jacobs, the Deputy Director General of the Science Division at the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, who explained how investments in science and innovation are creating new possibilities in the critical field of brain injury research and treatment.

Other key presentations included a plenary talk by Associate Professor Ruth Barker from James Cook University and The Cairns Institute on the importance of offering brain injury support to rural and remote communities.

“I really enjoyed the updates from the different working groups of QBIC, and the rural and remote lecture from Associate Professor Ruth Barker.

“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stay for the whole day, but I enjoyed the opportunity to network and meet people working across this area,” said one attendee.

This event was also a great opportunity to highlight key achievements in each of QBIC’s five portfolio areas within the first 8 months of funding and establishment.

Special recognition was given to the various activities held throughout the year, such as virtual meetings, interactive workshops, networking events, regional roadshows, and community partnerships.

We are grateful to everyone who attended the symposium, and it was inspiring to witness the networking and connections that blossomed during the day. We look forward to strengthening these relationships in the future.

For further information, please email QBIC.