The Hopkins Centre Meet and Mingle – Celebrating Research Translation and Collaboration

On Tuesday, 6 May 2025, The Hopkins Centre hosted its bi-annual Meet and Mingle Networking event, bringing together over 40 members and partners for an evening of networking, knowledge exchange, and spotlight on research translation outcomes.

The event provided a dynamic platform to showcase innovations emerging and from Hopkins' close-to-practice and ground-up research approach, featuring new clinical resources, technological advances and service initiatives directly informed by Hopkins research. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with interactive research prototypes, experience immersive virtual reality (VR) green/blue nature spaces, and heard about tools designed to support best practices in rehabilitation. These research outcomes aim to empower both service users and clinicians, driving improvements in care, supports, health outcomes, and rehabilitation experiences.

The event was officially opened by Professor Tim Geraghty, who warmly welcomed attendees, outlined the agenda for the evening and acknowledged two of our long serving Hopkins members in recognition of their dedication and service:

  • Professor David Trembath - Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of David's outstanding Leadership of the Child Health, Learning and Disability Program and initiatives to improve the lives of children with autism and their families.
  • Dr Letitia Burridge - Sustained Contribution Award recognises Letty’s longstanding contribution to the work of The Hopkins Centre since 2015 (which is even before Hopkins was officially Hopkins) and her passion and guidance in research capacity building.

Thank you David and Letty for your enduring commitment and significant contributions to The Hopkins Centre. We appreciate your dedication and wish you well for the future.

Professor Tamara Ownsworth introduced the research translation showcase, highlighting the importance of co-design, value of collaboration and how translation of Hopkins research and technological advances are directly shaping clinical resources and services.

Research Showcase: 

  • Hopkins Clinicial Fellow Emily Allan bought data dashboards to life, relating to the recent South-East Queensland Cyclone Alfred experience and different ways data is shared, accessed and consumed. Her research explored innovative ways to capture, share, and visualise healthcare data, resulting in a data dashboard prototype. This tool is designed to improve clinical services by displaying real-time visual data that supports faster, more informed clinician decision-making and referral response times. 👉 View the project and presentation.
  • Dr Mike Norwood shared findings from his study about the effects of immersive virtual reality-based nature exposure on anxiety, stress and depression in people with a brain injury in hospital rehabilitation wards. Early results showed that VR interventions are not only feasible and enjoyable, but also lead to meaningful improvements in psychological wellbeing, reducing anxiety, stress and depression. The study also emphasised the value of nature exposure during hosptial-based rehabilitation. 👉 view 360 Nature Videos.
  • Dr Delena Amsters presented outcomes from the Health Literacy in Rehabilitation Intervention project, funded by a Hopkins Seed Grant. The project developed a practical toolbox of best practice resources, clinician training, and communication templates, aimed at enhancing health literacy responsiveness, and empowering individuals with relevant information, supports and confidence to manage their injury and independence. 
  • Dr Jessie Mitchell wrapped up presentations with a multi-phase project focused on self-advocacy after brain injury, which so far has resulted in:
    • A Framework of Reclaiming Agency;
    • Toolbox of co-designed scaffolded strategies for clinicians, encouraging agency in care decisions;
    • Stakeholder insights on navigating choice and control after acquired brain injury; and
    • Development of a personalised online self-advocacy platform, supporting people to people to have a voice in their care and rehabilitation.

👉 View the project and presentation 
 

We look forward to sharing more about these projects in the coming months! 

We hope all attendees, members and partners enjoyed meeting, mingling and networking, whilst exploring bold ideas and better solutions for the future through collaborative and responsive research. 

A collage of photos from The Hopkins Centre Meet and Mingle event at Griffith University, South Bank on 6 May. L-R: Dr Jessie Mitchell; Dr Mike Norwood demonstrating VR technologies; Emily Allan; and Dr Mike Norwood demonstrating VR to citizen researcher and Phd Candidate Hannan Simmonds. A collage of photos from The Hopkins Centre Meet and Mingle event at Griffith University, South Bank on 6 May. L-R: Hannah Simmonds; Prof. Tim Geraghty and Prof. David Trembath; Attendees watch the research showcase.

A collage of photos from The Hopkins Centre Meet and Mingle event at Griffith University, South Bank on 6 May. L-R: Dr Jessie Mitchell; Dr Mike Norwood demonstrating VR technologies; Emily Allan; and Dr Mike Norwood demonstrating VR to citizen researcher and Phd Candidate Hannan Simmonds. A collage of photos from The Hopkins Centre Meet and Mingle event at Griffith University, South Bank on 6 May, showing speakers, attendees, and a VR demonstration, celebrating collaboration in rehabilitation and resilience research. L-R: Prof. Louise Gustafsson, Prof. Tim Geraghty (Director), Prof. Tamara Ownsworth; Prof. Tim Geraghty and Dr Letitia Burridge; Prof. David Trembath; Dr Jessie and Waydy Mitchell; Emily Allan; Dr Mike Norwood demonstrating VR to Hannan Simmonds.

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