It seems like only yesterday that I was writing my first ‘Words From Our President’. Time sure does go quickly, especially with all the different activities and exciting opportunities ASSBI has been engaged with.
Since our last newsletter, ASSBI co-hosted the 7th Pacifici Rim Conference with the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), and the Australian Psychology Society’s College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN). Sadly, I was unable to attend this year but based on the posts I was following on LinkedIn, and the energised discussions that occurred in our recent committee meeting, the conference included some outstanding presentations and many opportunities for dynamic conversation and collaborative networking. I would like to extend a thank you to our conference co-convenors, Associate Professor Kerryn Pike (INS), Professor Jenny Fleming (ASSBI), Jody Kamminga (CCN) and Dr Vince Oxenham (CCN) for putting together such an excellent program. Thank you also to Margaret and Matt Eagers for all the work they do in background (and foreground) to ensure a successful event!
With the conference still a very recent memory, planning for our 2026 conference, which will be held May 7-9, 2026 in Christchurch, Zealand, is already fully underway. Our convenors, Dr Josh Faulkner and Dr Christine Canty, are busy organising speakers and brainstorming innovative ideas for to bring together people with lived experience, students, clinicians, and researchers in meaningful ways. Our student team are hoping their upcoming multidisciplinary panel discussion on ADHD will contribute to building interest and excitement in the conference. I have no doubt this conference will be another inspiring and inclusive event and a fantastic opportunity to deepen local and international connections.
As you may already be aware, ASSBI now offers low priced and free resources for people living in low- and middle-income countries. We thank Professor Narinder Kapur for his generous support with this initiative. Professor Kapur’s donation will also support ASSBI to deliver a workshop in Bangladore with a focus on supporting local clinicians to share knowledge, build local expertise, and help train and mentor their colleagues in turn. Thank you to Associate Professor Dana Wong who has volunteered to represent ASSBI and share her expertise.
Our strategic planning groups continue to meet regularly to keep progressing initiatives important to ASSBI. We are nearly at the end of our three-year cycle of implementation and tracking well with the activities we laid out for ourselves. Please read this newsletter for important updates related to awards and furthering inclusions of lived experience in all aspects of ASSBI.
Barbra Zupan, President, ASSBI
