Challenges facing Australian biomedical research

Biomedical research in Australia faces a number of challenges. Real funding for research has been falling over time. And a cascade of issues confront the community.

As a part of National Science week, the Convergence Science Network is bringing together a distinguished panel for a public conversation about the state of biomedical research in Australia. The event will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 6 pm to 7 pm on Monday, 14 August. To register, visit this link: http://www.convergencesciencenetwork.org.au/convergence-science-forum-events.html#event2.

This free-to-attend event provides an opportunity to understand the headwinds biomedical research faces and to have a say about how we might respond, to ensure we remain a nation that not only enjoys the benefits of cutting-edge health care but contributes to a world where good health is not only the preserve of wealthy nations.

Biomedical research in Australia has a distinguished history with our universities, medical research institutes and hospitals ensuring we enjoy high standards of health and care. Our contribution to health and wellbeing is recognised internationally: half of Australia’s 16 Nobel Prize recipients received the award for either Physiology or Medicine.

Australia’s biomedical research community is the envy of many countries. But we cannot be complacent. A number of issues facing the community include, but are not limited to, problems with gender equity, career uncertainty for younger researchers, research translation and reproducibility.

A number of the structural and political challenges facing Australian biomedical researchers are local in nature, but many are also shared with our colleagues around the world. Failure to confront these challenges will slow the rate of progress on advances in diagnostics, treatments and therapeutics. Neglected diseases will probably be starved further of research funding. For millions, the possibility of relief from pain and suffering will recede. Make sure you attend the event to learn more about the future of biomedical research and have your say on how to stay at the cutting edge.