Northern Health’s Research Week 2026 brings together clinicians, researchers, consumers, students and healthcare partners for four days of learning, collaboration and inspiration under the theme “Research with Impact: Working to Improve the Health of Our Community.”

Research Week is more than a showcase of projects and presentations. It celebrates the people asking important questions and finding practical solutions to improve patient care. It demonstrates how research transforms ideas into outcomes that benefit our patients, families and community.

This year’s program offers something for everyone, from keynote presentations by leading experts to discussions on research careers, consumer involvement, equity and inclusion, translational research and artificial intelligence. Participants will gain valuable insights into how research is shaping the future of healthcare.

The keynote address today is from Professor David Ashley, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance. His career in cancer research dates more than two decades.  An Australian-trained paediatric and adult neuro-oncologist, Professor Ashley was Founding Director of the Children’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), served as Chair of Medicine at Deakin University, and was Executive Director of the Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre, where he integrated research and education across multiple health services.  

Professor Ashley returns to Australia after eight years as Director of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, at Duke University Medical Centre, North Carolina in the USA.  

Research Week will also highlight new partnerships and innovative thinking. Program highlights include the launch of the Northern Health Allied Health Research Strategy 2027-2031, a keynote presentation with RMIT University exploring how engineering can help solve clinical challenges, and a session examining practical applications of artificial intelligence across the research lifecycle.

A major feature of the week will be the poster displays and oral presentations showcasing outstanding research from across Northern Health and its partners. These sessions provide an opportunity to hear directly from researchers, exchange ideas and discover projects already influencing patient care and healthcare delivery.

The week concludes with an awards ceremony recognising excellence in research through the Best Poster Awards, People’s Choice Poster Award, Best Oral Presentation Award and the prestigious Peter Brooks Research Award.

Most importantly, Research Week reminds us that research is everyone’s business. Whether you are a clinician, nurse, midwife, allied health professional, consumer, student or support staff member, research plays a critical role in helping us deliver safer, more effective and more equitable care.

Join colleagues and partners as we celebrate innovation, curiosity and discovery. Be inspired, support our researchers and discover how research is making an impact across Northern Health every day.

Featured image shows Professor David Ashley, Chief Executive Officer of the VCCC Alliance.