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• Exciting Start to 2025 with QDRN!

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  Happy New Year! We're thrilled to bring you the first Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) update for 2025.

  
  

  A big thank you to everyone who expressed interest in serving on the 2025 QDRN Advisory Group and Sector Stakeholder Committee. Your support drives our mission to foster impactful disability research and inclusive collaboration.

  
  

  We’re proud to announce the members of these groups, representing diverse expertise and lived experience:

  
  

  2025 QDRN Advisory Group

  • Professor Kate Ames (Torrens University)
  • Adjunct Professor Ruth Barker (James Cook University)
  • Professor Charlotte Brownlow (University of Southern Queensland)
  • Sasha Job (CQUniversity)
  • Professor Byron Keating (Queensland University of Technology)
  • Professor Elizabeth Kendall (Griffith University)
  • Dr. Talitha Kingsmill (QDRN Lead)
  • Professor Sean Tweedy (The University of Queensland)
  • Adjunct Professor Denise Wood (University of the Sunshine Coast)

  
  

  2025 QDRN Sector Stakeholder Committee

  • Jesse Althaus (Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion - QAI)
  • Simon Clough (Queensland Alliance for Mental Health - QAMH)
  • Nina Carr, Kate Dufty, Maria O’Hara, Belinda Thompson, Peter Tully, Nerine Williams (Advocates & Citizen Scientists)
  • Ewan Filmer (Capricorn Citizen Advocacy)
  • Dr. Olivia Gatfield (Autism CRC)
  • Katie Grehan (Outback Independent Living Inc.)

  
  

  The QDRN unites researchers, advocates, and stakeholders to advance inclusive research through quality co-design and collaboration across Queensland universities, government, and community sectors.

  
  

  Our vision? To improve the lives and participation of people with disability through sustainable, impactful research partnerships.

  
  

  Stay tuned for updates on our work throughout the year!

  
  

  To learn more or get involved, reach out to us at qdrn@griffith.edu.au or connect directly with Dr. Talitha Kingsmill at t.kingsmill@griffith.edu.au.

  
  

  Let’s make 2025 a year of transformative progress for disability inclusion and research.

  
  

• Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) Disability Research Strategy and Co-Design Workshop Series

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  Left to right: Attendees of the Brisbane Workshop and Dr. Talitha Kingsmill.

  
  The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) recently hosted the Disability Research Strategy Engagement and Co-Design Workshop Series, bringing together individuals with disability, citizen scientists, researchers, government agencies, and key disability advocacy organisations across Queensland. These invitation-only, fully accessible workshops aimed to collaboratively shape the research agenda for the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services’ Disability Research Strategy 2025-2030.

  Facilitated by Dr. Talitha Kingsmill (GU), Professor Kate Ames (CQU), Dr. Corey Bloomfield (CQU), and Professor Charlotte Brownlow (USQ), the workshops were held both in-person at Brisbane and Toowoomba, and online. The focus was on identifying research priorities and projects to support Queensland’s Disability Plan, the Disability Royal Commission, NDIS Review recommendations, Elevate 2042 Legacy Strategy, and the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  Key stakeholders gathered at Griffith University’s Southbank campus, University of Southern Queensland’s Toowoomba campus and online to discuss a wide range of topics, including employment and financial security, safety rights and justice, education and learning, community attitudes, and departmental regulatory functions. The discussions generated valuable insights and recommendations, which will inform policy and decision-making for the upcoming Disability Research Strategy.

  The engagement and co-design workshops are an ongoing effort, with multiple sessions held across Queensland and online. These workshops are crucial for ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping the research priorities that will guide future policies. The QDRN invites interested parties to connect and participate in this important work.

  We extend our sincere gratitude to the Queensland Government Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services for their unwavering support of this research. We also wish to thank Griffith University's Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability team members, Rebekah Barker, Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter, Dr Kelsey Chapman, Dr Maretta Mann and Professor Elizabeth Kendall AM, for their invaluable assistance in organising these events, and the wider QDRN team for their continuous dedication and support.

  
  

  For more information or to become involved, please contact:
  Dr. Talitha Kingsmill, Research Fellow and QDRN Lead

  Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, Griffith University

  Email: qdrn@griffith.edu.au

  
  

  Dr Talitha Kingsmill addresses the Brisbane workshop.