On Thursday, 1 November 2007, the Honourable Verity Firth, MP, NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research, announced the launch of the Network as part of the public lecture at the Australia & New Zealand Spinal Cord Society 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting.

This highly successful event was held in the Four Seasons Hotel, George Street, Sydney. You will find some more photographs of the event in the ANZSCIN Launch gallery. Read the Minister's Message of support.

Benefits of joining ANZSCIN

Help advance treatments for spinal cord injury and disease.

Communicate, Collaborate … Cure

ANZSCIN was established in 2007 to advance research and clinical trials into spinal cord injury and disease. Supported by the NSW Government, this Network draws together leading researchers, clinicians and key stakeholders from Australia and New Zealand.

ANZSCIN is working towards accelerating treatments for spinal cord injury and disease, addressing consumer priorities and improving practice. The Network creates inclusive processes and clear structures that promote communication and collaboration between researchers, health professionals, consumers, politicians and government departments. In doing so, ANZSCIN is building the platform for collective, coordinated research.

Together we will communcate, collaborate ... cure

ANZSCIN - Making the difference

ANZSCIN helps to make a difference for people with spinal cord injury by providing access to the very best available treatments and by improving the chances of research success through:

• Ensuring a more strategic and co-ordinated approach to research
• Identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge and avoidable duplication
• Facilitating multi-centre trials in Australia and New Zealand
• Facilitating communication to ensure local researchers and clinicians are aware of international SCI developments

How the Network works

ANZSCIN has established the following Standing Committees to work independently and collectively to achieve its goals.
 

Clinical Trials Co-ordination & Support

The Clinical Trials Co-ordination & Support Standing Committee conducts the core business of ANZSCIN. This group facilitates the development and implementation of clinical trials by:

• Providing advice, support and information to researchers considering undertaking clinical trials in SCI
• Providing infrastructure / operational support and training of site co-ordinators
• Maintaining a register of clinical researchers / research groups with specific areas of interest
• Working on strategies to develop a clinical research workforce

Research Development

The Research Development Standing Committee adds value by:

• Building capacity by facilitating communication and collaboration within the Australian, New Zealand and international spinal cord injury research and clinical community
• Identifying gaps in the knowledge and research effort
• Developing and implementing strategies to address research needs including establishing “interdisciplinary platforms” for researchers and clinicians in specific areas, such as basic, rehabilitation / recovery, clinical outcomes & evidence-based practice
• Promoting specific aspects of research to funding bodies
• Potentially administering a Scholarship and / or Fellowship program

Communications and Marketing

The ANZSCIN Communications and Marketing Standing Committee promotes information sharing and collaboration among clinicians, researchers and stakeholders by:

• Advocating the objectives of the Network to governments and the community
• Raising the profile of the community challenge that spinal cord injury presents
• Sourcing funds to cover the Network’s operational budget (as distinct from fundraising for research)

Evidence Based Practice

Translation of knowledge, outcomes and emerging evidence from clinical trials into practice is paramount. This Standing Committee works closely with other key organisations and special interest groups, such as ANZSCoS, to help translate the results of research developments and findings into local practice and to promote evidence-based practice.
 

The team behind ANZSCIN

ANZSCIN was established by a Steering Committee and Implementation Team comprising representatives from Australia and New Zealand.

Dr James Middleton (NSW), Chair
Professor Sarah Dunlop (WA), Deputy Chair
Professor Mary Galea (VIC)
Dr Tim Geraghty (QLD)
Ms Joanna Knott (NSW)
Dr Ruth Marshall (SA)
Dr Adrian Nowitzke (QLD)
Dr Giles Plant (WA)
Mr David Prast (QLD)
Professor Norman Saunders (VIC)
Ms Anne Sinnott (New Zealand)
Dr Bryce Vissel (NSW)
Dr Tim Woodfield (New Zealand)

Following the official launch of ANZSCIN in November, this team will be replaced by a formal structure headed by a Chief Executive Officer with a Board of Directors and Standing Committees.

Our Vision

To facilitate recovery from spinal cord injury and disease.

Our Mission

ANZSCIN's mission is to advance treatments for spinal cord injury and disease by promoting excellence in research and clinical practice through communication, collaboration and capacity building.

At ANZSCIN we are:

• Fostering a network dedicated to facilitating multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations
• Facilitating communication and information exchange between stakeholders
• Providing leadership with a co-ordinated, strategic approach to research development
• Identifying gaps in knowledge and avoiding duplication of research effort
• Building capacity to undertake multi-centre clinical trials in spinal cord injury and disease
• Promoting priority research in areas of neural protection, functional recovery, rehabilitation and neuroregeneration in spinal cord injury and disease
• Translating basic and clinical research into evidence-based practice
• Strengthening links / developing partnerships with international researchers and networks
• Providing advice on policy development and priorities for clinical trials in spinal cord injury and disease