UoM and AIMSS Musculoskeletal Research Forum
On the 3rd August 2018, the inaugural UoM/AIMSS Musculoskeletal Research Forum was held at the Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Sunshine Hospital, St Albans with the intention to build a critical mass of musculoskeletal researchers at the University of Melbourne together with the aim to increase funding and awareness of this somewhat neglected field.
At present musculoskeletal diseases are not considered a major priority by Universities and funding agencies Australia wide. With new opportunities such as the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and other initiatives, new impetus hopefully will be brought to musculoskeletal research in Australia. The keynote speakers were Professor Arthur Conigrave, Head of School and Dean, Sydney Medical School and Dr. Heather St John, Coordinator of the MRFF strategy at The University of Melbourne on “Understanding Priorities and Upcoming Funding Opportunities”, and how to present high quality applications. A total of 18 presentations were given, incorporating advanced medical imaging, exercise and sports medicine, orthopaedic surgery, post stroke effects on MSK, veterinary biosciences, nutritional impacts, Sarcopenia, through to reflections and influences of the social mosaic on musculoskeletal issues, thus representing the wide array of musculoskeletal research being undertaken at The University of Melbourne and AIMSS.
Feedback from the group will be incorporated into a White Paper to be distributed amongst University authorities and related networks to highlight the strengths of Musculoskeletal research at the University of Melbourne and to guide in the planning for future research and funding opportunities.