Tasmanians with lived experience will be sharing their stories with Stroke researchers, clinicians, and advocates from across the globe when the Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference (ANZSOC) 2025 takes place at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart.
This year’s conference theme is “Towards Equity in Stroke” which will shine a spotlight on the disparities that can present in stroke care and outcomes- and there will be a focus on how people with lived experience can help co-design changes in the future.
Chairperson of this year’s event, lead researcher from Menzies Institute for Medical Research’s Cardiovascular Research Flagship, Professor Seana Gall, said Tasmania has some of the worst rates of stroke in the country.
"The conference will focus on how factors such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and stroke type influence access to prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation services. Tasmania, with its unique demographic and geographic challenges, provides a fitting backdrop for these discussions.
There is no denying that our state, with a dispersed and ageing population, faces significant health equity issues—making it an ideal location to explore innovative, community-driven solutions,” said Professor Gall.
Beyond its academic and clinical focus the visit from over 300 delegates to ANZSOC 2025 is expected to deliver lasting benefits for Tasmanian communities.
This year 19 people with lived experience of stroke will be attending the conference and their involvement will include a lived experience welcome, workshops on co-design, and a selection of scientific abstracts selected by people with lived experience of stroke as being of interest.
John Stevens, of Cambridge, was working as a senior engineer and otherwise healthy when he suddenly suffered a stroke at the age of 61. He recovered well, and is now chairperson of the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) at the Flagship and is committed to supporting co-design research.
“Survivors and caregivers can give valuable insights that can help professionals to better understand the real-world impact of stroke. Clinical data can’t tell the emotional journey that follows recovery and rehabilitation,” said Mr Stevens.
Several Hobart-based researchers will also be contributing to the program:
- Professor Mark Nelson and Dr Tan Bui from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research
- Professor Jane Alty, Dr Hannah Coombe, and Professor Brad Sutherland from the University of Tasmania
Their work spans acute stroke care, rehabilitation, and public health, with a strong emphasis on improving outcomes for underserved populations.
ANZSOC will be held at Hobart Grand Chancellor from 2 – 5 September 2025.
