I have only just returned home from the ASSBI/NZSIGN 2026 Conference in Christchurch and am still very much feeling the post-conference glow. It was wonderful to see our community come together once again to share knowledge, challenge ideas, reconnect with colleagues, and continue strengthening collaborations across research, clinical practice, and lived experience.
This year’s conference welcomed approximately 280 delegates. As in previous years, the conference began with a full day of workshops, followed by two days of outstanding keynotes, how-to sessions, oral presentations, datablitzes, and posters. The strength of abstract submissions prompted the Conference Committee to add a fourth presentation stream; combined these streams reflected the breadth and quality of work occurring across our field.
One of the true highlights of the conference was the lived experience panel featuring the Dickson families. Their willingness to share their experiences so openly and thoughtfully was deeply impactful and highlighted the many areas where we must continue to advocate, innovate, and improve systems of care and support for people living with brain conditions. Their stories resonated strongly throughout the conference and were repeatedly referenced in conversations about our collective responsibility to “do better.”
I left Christchurch feeling inspired by the innovative work occurring across so many areas of brain impairment research and practice. It was also particularly encouraging to see the increasingly meaningful ways in which co-design and lived experience perspectives are being embedded into research and service development.
The conference closing event was well attended, and it was a pleasure to present the 2026 ASSBI awards as part of the celebrations. Congratulations to Petra Avramovic and Sophie Brassels, recipients of the ASSBI Travel Award, and to Stephanie Macheras, winner of the Best Student Presentation Award. Congratulations also to Te Rina Ruru-Pelasio, recipient of the ASSBI Lived Experience Award; this award was proudly sponsored by the Summer Foundation and dedicated to the memory of Nick Rushworth.
When attending conferences, we do not always see the immense amount of work occurring behind the scenes to make these events successful. Conferences such as this truly take a village. I would like to sincerely thank our convenors — Dr Josh Faulkner, Dr Nic Ward, Karen Below, Dr Christine Canty, Dr Jonathan Armstrong, and Dr Kath Murrell — for their time, leadership, and dedication in delivering such a thoughtful and engaging program. A huge thank you also to Margaret and Matt Eagers, who somehow manage to keep everything running smoothly throughout the process. Thank you as well to our student volunteers and session chairs, whose contributions are essential to the success of the conference.
We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone to Melbourne in 2027 as we celebrate 50 years of ASSBI. Please save the dates of May 6–8, 2027 in your calendars, and keep an eye out for further details in the coming months.
As we all gradually wind down from the conference excitement, the ASSBI Committee continues to focus on the important day-to-day work that supports our purpose, vision, and mission. I am pleased to share that all key priorities identified within our three-year strategic plan are now either underway or completed. Moving forward, we will continue to evaluate and monitor these priorities to ensure we are responding to the evolving needs of our ASSBI community and continuing to build a strong, connected, and forward-looking organisation.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of ASSBI and for the work each of you contributes to improving the lives of people living with brain conditions.
As the year gathers momentum, it is a pleasure to share some updates from ASSBI and to reflect on the many ways our community continues to grow and connect.
Barbra Zupan, President, ASSBI
