Changing the culture around concussion

In Brain Injury Awareness Week last month, QBIC hosted a panel discussion at the State Library of Queensland which put the spotlight on concussion.

Heads Up: Concussion Safety & Sport was an opportunity for members of the public to hear about more about the game-changing science behind making contact sports safer.

The panel was chaired by author and historian, Dr Stephen Townsend. He was joined by neuroscientist, QBIC Director Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah, Quantum physicist Professor Warwick Bowen, ex-NRL player Trevor Gillmeister and Team Physician for Rugby Australia’s Wallabies and an Emergency Medicine Physician with Queensland Health, Dr Gary Mitchell.

The panel explored concussion from multiple angles – hidden risks, factors that increase vulnerability to long-term injury, the effectiveness of new safety initiatives, and emerging technologies to improve diagnosis and player protection.

Speakers agreed that recent advances in concussion management represent significant progress, and welcomed the heightened public awareness that ensures the issue is taken seriously. While the science is still evolving, the past few years have seen major strides.

A recurring theme was the need to shift sporting culture: playing on despite concussion should no longer be seen as toughness, but as dangerous. Athletes were urged to treat concussion as an injury, with the clear message that stepping off the field protects both the individual and the team.

If you missed the event, watch the recording below.