NEWS

We have reached the end of another year, and yet another year that feels as though it has flown by.  December often feels like a race to the finish line, filled with events, deadlines, and trying to finalise all those small tasks you’ve been trying to complete for months. For me, December is also a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, acknowledge, and appreciate what we’ve achieved as a community and start to look ahead to the exciting things 2026 has in store for us.

This year has been one of continued growth, connection, and collaboration for ASSBI. A particular highlight has been the ongoing work of our Lived Experience Subcommittee, which continues to expand its membership and influence. We are excited to welcome more voices into our conversations and are grateful to our lived experience members. Their insights and perspectives are invaluable in continuing to shape ASSBI’s initiatives, ensuring our work reflects the voices of those most impacted by brain impairment.

We also introduced free membership for students, a significant step in making ASSBI more accessible to the next generation of professionals. Our student program continues to go from strength to strength, and it’s been wonderful to see students actively engaging with our network. Our heartfelt thanks go to Nicole Feest, who has served so capably as National Student Coordinator over the past few years. We also want to thank our dedicated Team Leaders and Student Ambassadors across the country.

ASSBI has also continued our Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) initiative and are currently building a partnership with colleagues in India to explore various ways we might be able to support their efforts to advance knowledge and practice in brain impairment.  As part of this initiative, Past President, Professor Dana Wong, recently travelled to Bangalore to deliver a workshop alongside our Indian colleagues. Jennie Ponsford and her team also extended an invitation for them to join a workshop focused on managing fatigue and sleep disturbance. We thank Professor Narinder Kapur for initiating this partnership and for his and his team’s shared commitment to improving the lives of people with brain impairment.

We have much to look forward to beginning with our annual conference, which will be held 7–9 May 2026 in Christchurch, New Zealand. This will be the first time we have partnered with the New Zealand Special Interest Group in Neuropsychology (NZSIGN) and we are pleased to be working so closely with the team there in organising the conference.  Abstract submissions have now closed, and the conference committee is hard at work shaping what promises to a dynamic and engaging program. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

ASSBI remains committed to celebrating excellence in our field. Our upcoming conference will feature several awards that recognise our members’ contributions to advancing knowledge, practice, and advocacy in brain impairment. We also want to highlight our Career Awards which acknowledge contributions from Early Career, Mid-Career and Lifetime members. Nominations for these awards are due March 15. We encourage you to review the award categories and criteria and considering nominating yourself or a deserving colleague.

Finally, as we reach the end of 2025, I would like to thank ASSBI committee for their ongoing commitment to the ASSBI community. I feel so privileged to work alongside you! I would also like to thank our members as whole. Your collective contributions to research, clinical practice, advocacy, and/or education is making ongoing impact to our field and to the lives of people with brain impairment.

I hope everyone is able to take some well-deserved time over the coming weeks to rest, recharge, and connect with those who matter most.

Barbra Zupan, President, ASSBI

REGISTRATION is now open.

Check out the speakers, prices, accommodation and much more HERE

Closes on 9 November 2025

Four half-day workshops will take place on Thursday 7th May 2026. A broad range of papers will be presented by renowned international and national speakers on Friday 8th, and Saturday 9th May. There will also be the ASSBI Presidential Address by A/Professor Barbra Zupan, and a professionally focused address by NZSIGN Chair Dr Nic Ward. In addition to platform presentations, there will be “how-to”sessions, Datablitz presentations, and posters. Lived experience and student sessions will also feature.

Read the report from the 7th Pacific Rim Conference in the newsletter or on the website

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 7^th 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

It feels only a month or so ago that I was warmly welcomed as President-Elect in A/Prof Dana Wong’s first “Words from our President” segment of the newsletter – how quickly time flies! I feel both honoured and privileged to be entrusted with guiding ASSBI and look forward to working closely with our incredible committee to continue to extend our reach, deepen our impact, and shape what comes next.

I first heard of ASSBI many years ago while still living and working in Canada. Even on the other side of world, ASSBI was seen as a shining star. It was an organisation known not only for its genuine commitment to improving the lives of people with brain conditions, but also for the calibre and warmth of the people involved. I never would have imagined I’d one day have the chance to be part of such an inspiring and inclusive organisation! I am grateful to the committee for welcoming me so shortly after my arrival here in Australia. Living in regional Australia can be isolating at times but ASSBI has provided me a sense of belonging and an opportunity to keep contributing to a field I deeply care about.

I would like to sincerely thank Dana Wong for all that she has contributed these past two years as President. I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of someone who has led with such care and vision.  To meet the priorities outlined in our strategic plan, Dana has guided the committee to implement many changes and initiatives. Under Dana’s leadership, and through the collective efforts of our committed subcommittees, ASSBI has extended its focus on inclusivity. Memberships are now free for people with lived experience of brain conditions, students, and people from low- and middle-income countries. Inclusivity was also at the heart of ASSBI’s co-designed terms of reference for our Lived Experience subcommittee, an initiative I have no doubt Dana will continue to influence in her role as Past-President.

Special thanks must also go to Professor Olivier Piguet who has completed his role as Past-President. It was Olivier who asked and encouraged me to step into the role of President and I am honoured he felt I could do it justice. Fortunately, Olivier is staying on as a committee member so ASSBI will continue to benefit from his insights, pragmatic approach, and commitment to ASSBI’s purpose and mission.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to ASSBI’s President-Elect, Associate Professor Michelle Kelly. Michelle is a neuropsychologist with expertise in both brain injury and dementia. Her quiet energy and resounding commitment to supporting people with lived experience have already made a significant impact within ASSBI and we are excited that she will be stepping into this role in 2027. She will no doubt continue ASSBI’s commitment to inclusiveness and to support innovation in translating research into practice.

We are looking forward to coming together in Brisbane at the 2025 7^th Pacific Rim conference from July 2-5 which is being jointly run with INS and the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN). This year’s theme, ‘Brain Health and Intersectionality’, focuses on ensuring equitable access to resources and extending translational research. The diverse contexts in which individuals live, learn, work, and thrive are strongly reflected across the conference’s many workshops and sessions, delivered by national and international speakers. Thank you to our conference convenors – Jenny Fleming, Kerryn Pike, Jody Kamminga, and Vince Oxenham – for putting together such an amazing program and to Margaret and Matt Eagers for your tireless work in the background!

As I look ahead to the next two years, I am excited to continue ASSBI’s mission to support professional development, cross-disciplinary engagement, and strengthen the voice of lived experience.  Our committee has grown this year, and with that growth comes opportunity for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and renewed energy. At the same time, we are fortunate to retain a strong core of long-standing members whose expertise, generosity, and commitment continue to shape and sustain the work we do. ASSBI would not be the same without you! I’m looking forward to continuing ASSBI’s impact alongside all of you and of course, sharing some fun along the way.

Barbra Zupan, President, ASSBI

WORDS FROM OUR PRESIDENT

These are my final “Words from our President” before handing over the steering wheel to the wonderful A/Prof Barbra Zupan. It has been an incredible honour to lead ASSBI over the past 2 years – a job that could not be done without being surrounded by such a capable committee. I am proud of what we have done together. 

In the latest breaking news, I am excited to announce that we have a new membership structure. For the first time, membership is FREE for students, people with lived experience of brain conditions, and people from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). LMIC members will have free access to our ASSBI resources and recorded webinars.  We also have a new low-cost membership tier for people in their early career (i.e., within 5 years of graduating from a relevant course). We hope that this will provide greater and more equitable access to ASSBI’s resources, professional development and networking opportunities, and the other benefits of being part of our fantastic community.

I am also very pleased to say that we have now finalised the terms of reference for our Lived Experience subcommittee. These were co-designed with people with brain conditions and their close others, together with ASSBI executive committee members led by Janet Wagland. This subcommittee will provide important contributions to our conferences, awards, website, and other activities. In further news, we have also refreshed our ASSBI awards. New conference awards, including for Best Student Presentation, a Travel Award open to both students and early career members, and an award for the best presentation involving people with Lived Experience in the research team, will be in place for the 7^th Pacific Rim conference in July. We will announce additional (non-conference) awards soon.

The good news keeps coming… a large number of abstracts were submitted for our 2025 7^th Pacific Rim conference in Brisbane from 2^nd-5^th July, for which ASSBI is partnering with INS and CCN. The keynote speakers and workshop presenters have now been announced by the convenor team -keep reading to find out more about them. I look forward to a vibrant, diverse and stimulating conference.

At our AGM in May, we will also welcome some new members to our executive committee, including a contingent from New Zealand. This presents great opportunities to expand our NZ presence further, kicking off with our 2026 conference which will be held there. A/Prof Barbra Zupan will take over as President at the May AGM. I have no doubt she will take ASSBI from strength to strength.

Thank you so much to Margaret and Matt Eagers, all our hard-working executive committee and Lived Experience subcommittee members – and to the brilliant students, clinicians, researchers and community members who make ASSBI such a fun ship to steer.

Dana Wong, President, ASSBI

Memberships have been changed we now have complementary memberships for the undernoted groups. Evidence must be given:

• Student (proof: letter of enrollment )
• LMIC (proof: evidence of current residency)
• Lived Experience (proof: Evidence of being on Government benefits)

Early Career Membership - $88 (proof: graduation certificate proving they are within 5 years of graduating)

Dear Colleagues

At the risk of rolling out overused tropes, it really does feel hard to believe that it is December already. It’s tempting to believe that time itself is changing shape and pace, rather than just our perception of it. I will keep these ‘Notes from the President’ short and sweet given everyone is busily trying to get other things done (including me!)

This year has seen ASSBI make great progress on key initiatives, including establishment of a Lived Experience subcommittee; development of initiatives to provide free membership and access to our resources for clinicians and researchers from Low- and Middle-Income Countries; and development of new initiatives to attract and support early career members. Hot off the press - this latter initiative includes a new membership tier for early career clinicians/researchers, which we hope will make ASSBI membership more affordable. We are also currently reviewing our awards and look forward to announcing our refreshed award structure soon.

Our 2025 7^th Pacific Rim conference in Brisbane from 2^nd-5th July, for which ASSBI is partnering with INS and the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN), now has a theme: “Brain Health and Intersectionality”. It promises to be a thought-provoking, engaging and innovative program. The call for abstracts is open and the convenors are looking forward to your submissions for oral and poster presentations and how-to sessions.

Also, keep your eye out for the draft Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Psychosocial Difficulties for Adults with Moderate-to-severe Traumatic Brain Injury, which are out for public consultation (see link on the ASSBI website). These are the first guidelines of their type in Australia, and feedback and input from future users of the guidelines will be very important for ensuring they are clear, relevant and useful.

Before the year ends, I hope that you have some time to pause and reflect on your work during 2024. I have no doubt that everyone in our wonderful ASSBI community has had a meaningful impact on the lives of people with brain conditions. Cheers to that!

Dana Wong
President

The last few months has seen ASSBI engage internationally, with some exciting opportunities developing as a result. The Global Neuropsychology Congress, which was co-hosted by ASSBI, the Federation of the European Societies of Neuropsychology (FESN), the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), and the Latin American Society of Neuropsychology (SLAN), took place in Porto in July. It was a wonderful and truly global conference, with more than 1000 attendees from over 50 countries and a prominent focus on the cross-cultural relevance and accessibility of assessments and interventions for people with brain conditions around the world. Australia was the country with the second highest number of registrants. I was proud to see the wide range and high quality of presentations from ASSBI members, including our ASSBI-sponsored symposium on co-design chaired by Jennie Ponsford with presenters Nicci Grace, Jacinta Douglas, Jessica Trevena-Peters and Jill Hwang. Special thanks to co-convenor Vicki Anderson (who we’ll claim as ASSBI’s!) who worked incredibly hard over many years to organise a massive and successful event; and to Skye McDonald and Jennie Ponsford, our ASSBI representatives on the program committee and local organising committee respectively.  Whilst in Porto, the 4 host societies, including ASSBI, met with a representative from the World Health Organization to discuss potential opportunities for engagement with relevant WHO initiatives. At the conference close, I was delighted to present the ASSBI Global Ambassador Award to Skye McDonald. Congratulations once again Skye!

While in Portugal, several members of the ASSBI executive committee also met with colleagues from India, to explore ways in which we can make ASSBI’s resources, webinars, conferences and other training opportunities available at minimal or no cost to clinicians and researchers in India and other low-and-middle-income countries. We are continuing to engage with them to develop these initiatives and more. There is much we can learn from our colleagues in low-and-middle-income countries about their creative and innovative efforts to deliver services in resource-constrained contexts with a diverse range of people with unmet support needs. This is an exciting chapter for ASSBI; we are keen to share our wealth of resources and opportunities with countries where access to these may be difficult. Stay tuned for announcements on this.

Plans are shaping up well for the 2025 7^th Pacific Rim conference in Brisbane from 2^nd-5th July, where ASSBI will partner with INS and the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN) to deliver a fabulous and vibrant program. The team of convenors includes representatives from each of the three organisations: thank you to Jenny Fleming (ASSBI), Vince Oxenham & Jody Kamminga (CCN) and Kerryn Pike (INS) for stepping up and bringing such enthusiasm and purpose to this voluntary role. We hope to see everyone there for what promises to be another fantastic conference and chance to connect with our clinician, researcher, student and lived experience community members, both local and international.

Dana Wong, President, ASSBI