The 2025 ANZCA Clinical Trials Network Strategic Research Workshop was held in Glenelg, SA on 8-10 August 2025.
On behalf of the CTN Executive and workshop convenors Dr Kate Drummond, A/Prof David Highton, Prof Tomas Corcoran, Dr Amy Chapman, and Dr Matthew Bright, thank you for joining us at the 2025 ANZCA CTN Strategic Research Workshop.
This event brought together experienced and early career researchers, medical professionals and research co-ordinators from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong to develop new clinical trial proposals and discuss the latest methodology.
Pre-workshop session 1
Trainee and early career researcher mentoring session*
Note: Registration for this session is now closed due to full capacity.
Date/time: Friday 8 August, 10-10.55am
Location: Stamford Grand Adelaide, Glenelg
Cost: No cost. This session is only open to registered workshop delegates.
Target audience: Trainees, early career researchers, fellows who are new to the network or wishing to undertake research.
Session overview: This session provides trainees, early career researchers and new fellows with a unique opportunity for one-on-one mentoring with CTN peers and leaders. The session will begin with a brief presentation on the importance and impact of mentoring as you navigate your research career. If you are a trainee, or a fellow new to the network, or embarking on your research journey, we strongly encourage you to sign up.
Important: Delegates will be assigned seating to enhance mentoring opportunities. Please note this session is available to trainee and full registration delegates only. Mentorship opportunities for research coordinators are made available through the Anaesthesia Research Coordinators Network mentoring program.
9.30-10am | Morning tea on arrival | |
Pre-workshop session 1 | ||
10-10.55am | Trainee and early career researcher mentoring session* | |
Welcome | Dr Amy Chapman (SA) and Dr Matthew Bright (Qld) | |
Importance of mentoring | Professor Kate Leslie AO (Vic) | |
| Speed mentoring: 1:1 discussions | Mentors and mentees |
Program may change due to speaker availability.
*Trainee and full registration delegates only.
Pre-workshop session 2
Supporting research through the ANZCA curriculum
Date/time: Friday 8 August, 11am-12.30pm
Location: Stamford Grand Adelaide, Glenelg
Cost: No cost. This session is only open to registered workshop delegates.
Session overview and target audience: Is the ANZCA curriculum preparing anaesthetists to critically assess evidence, challenge outdated practices, and contribute to research?
Join trainees, researchers, college leaders, and educators for a discussion on whether the curriculum effectively promotes research literacy and engagement. This session will explore ways to better integrate research into the ANZCA curriculum, encouraging trainees to participate in research.
Important: Opt-in required at registration. Participants will receive a brief survey on the ANZCA curriculum to guide discussions.
Friday 8 August | ||
11am-12.30pm | Pre-workshop session 2: Supporting research through the ANZCA curriculum | |
Welcome | A/Prof David Highton (Qld) and A/Prof Nicole Phillips (NSW) | |
| Panel discussion | Dr Matthew Bright (Qld), Professor Kate Leslie AO (Vic), Dr Nina Civil (NZ), A/Prof Kara Allen (Vic), Professor David Sturgess (Qld) and Dr Lia Freestone (Tas). |
Program may change due to speaker availability.
Plenary program - Friday 8 August 2025 - Concurrent stream 1
The workshop officially opens with networking over lunch, giving delegates an opportunity to reconnect before diving into the plenary program. At the time of registration, delegates can choose between two concurrent streams. Delegates wishing to switch between streams or attend sessions outside of their chosen stream after registration, will need to contact the Events team. We will not be able to accommodate switching of sessions on the day.
Stream 1: New, emerging and experienced researcher stream, and Emerging Investigators session
Date/time: Friday 8 August, 12.30-6pm
Location: Stamford Grand Adelaide, Glenelg
Target audience: Fellows and trainees at various stages of their research career, statisticians, experienced investigators, research collaborators, scientists, and data analysts.
Session overview: This stream is designed for delegates at all career stages, from interested fellows and trainees to experienced investigators mentoring emerging researchers. It focuses on enhancing research skills and providing hands-on experience in clinical trial methodology and research design. Highlights include a keynote on the importance of engaging statisticians early, presentations on Bayesian statistics and pathways to higher research degrees, and the Emerging Investigators Prize Session. Delegates will collaborate across experience levels to support and integrate new researchers into the network.
Emerging Investigators Session: This session includes roundtable discussions facilitated by senior researchers and statisticians, offering structured protocol critique before an open Q&A. Delegates will discuss study methodology, outcomes, feasibility, and impact, gaining valuable research development experience.
Important: Seating will be assigned to ensure a balanced mix of experience at each table. We’ve expanded capacity for these sessions by adding discussion clusters at the back of the room. Round table seating will be allocated based on registration order. Pre-reading is required to maximise engagement.
Friday 8 August | ||
| 12.30 - 1.30pm | Lunch on arrival | |
Concurrent stream 1 | ||
1.30-2.50pm | Session 1: New and emerging researchers | |
Welcome | Dr Amy Gaskell (NZ) and Dr Amy Chapman (SA) | |
Keynote: The research journey and how a statistician can help. | Professor Katherine Lee (Vic) | |
| Ah! Now, I understand Bayesian statistics. | A/Prof David Sidebotham (NZ) |
| Higher degrees - my personal research experience. | Dr Adam Badenoch (SA) |
| Q&A discussion | All speakers |
2.50-3.10pm | Afternoon tea | |
3.10-5.30pm | Emerging Investigators session | |
| Introduction | A/Prof Lachlan Miles (Vic) and Professor Victoria Eley (Qld) |
| GOPRO (Goal-directed Objective Paralysis Reversal Outcomes) trial: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial of goal-directed neuromuscular block monitoring and management. | Dr Sophie Liang (NSW) |
| DIAMONDS: Digital pathway for Improved Assessment, Management and Optimisation of patieNts for planneD Surgery. | Dr Kanika Chaudhri (NSW) |
| Intravenous methadone for chronic postsurgical pain in cardiac surgery: a multi-centered, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial. | Dr Henry Man Kin Wong (HK) |
| Effects of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), Butyrate, GABA/Butyrate-producing probiotics/ prebiotics on the severity of pain in patients with fibromyalgia: a phase II, multi-center, single-blinded, randomized-controlled trial (the GBP-FM Trial). | Dr Mandy Chu (HK) |
| WAVELET-II: Individualised haemodynamic optimisation informed by the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation during PEARS surgery. | Dr Matthew Bright (QLD) |
5.30-7pm | Networking reception for trainees, fellows and collaborators.* | |
Program may change due to speaker availability.
*Trainee and full registration delegates only.
Plenary program - Friday 8 August 2025 - Concurrent stream 2
The workshop officially opens with networking over lunch, giving delegates an opportunity to reconnect before diving into the plenary program. At the time of registration, delegates can choose between two concurrent streams. Delegates wishing to switch between streams or attend sessions outside of their chosen stream after registration, will need to contact the Events team. We will not be able to accommodate switching of sessions on the day.
Stream 2: Research coordinator and research teams stream
Date/time: Friday 8 August, 12.30-5pm
Location: Stamford Grand Adelaide, Glenelg
Session overview and target audience: This stream is for research coordinators, site investigators, and team members, including fellows and trainees, interested in multicentre trials. This stream provides key learning and networking opportunities to enhance clinical research delivery.
Friday 8 August | ||
| 12.30 - 1.30pm | Lunch on arrival | |
Concurrent stream 2 | ||
1.30-3pm | Research coordinator and research teams stream session 1 | |
Welcome | Ms Gillian Ormond (Vic) and Ms Dhiraj Bhatia Dwivedi (Vic) | |
Keynote: Introduction to platform trials and consenting for platform trials for different domains | Dr Lisa Higgins (Vic) | |
| The Data Whisperer: a statistician's perspective on data quality | A/Prof Sabine Braat (SA) |
| Is the CTN ready to move to eCRFs? | Ms Kaitlin Kramer (NSW) and Ms Natalie Hird (WA) |
| Q&A discussion | All speakers |
3-3.30pm | Afternoon tea | |
3.30-5pm | Research coordinator and research teams stream session 2 | |
| Welcome | Ms Louise Cope (NSW) and Ms Samantha Ryan (NZ) |
| Collaborating with internal and external hospital departments | Ms Allison Kearney (Qld) and Ms Louise De Prinse (SA) |
Troubleshooting with trial teams | ||
| Ms Kaitlin Kramer (NSW) | |
| Ms Sarah Astbury (Vic) | |
| Ms Sofia Sidiropoulos (Vic) | |
| Ms Gillian Ormond (Vic) | |
| Ms Gayle Claxton (Vic) | |
| Q&A discussion | Ms Sofia Sidiropoulos (Vic), Ms Kaitlin Kramer (NSW), Ms Natalie Hird (WA), Ms Sarah Astbury (Vic) and Ms Gayle Claxton (Vic). |
6-8.30pm | Anaesthesia Research Coordinators Network (ARCN) Networking Dinner*, Sammy's on the Marina | |
5.30-7pm | Networking reception for trainees, fellows and collaborators.** | |
Program may change due to speaker availability.
*Allied health registration delegates only
**Trainee and full registration delegates only
Plenary program
Saturday 9 August
Saturday 9 August | ||
Plenary program | ||
8-8.30am | Registration, networking and coffee | |
8.30-10am | Keynote session | |
Welcome | Dr Kate Drummond (SA) and A/Prof David Highton (Qld) | |
Keynote presentation: Platform trials: Are ordinal outcomes the way forward? | Professor Katherine Lee (Vic) | |
| Keynote presentation: Implementation science and health economics | Dr Lisa Higgins (Vic) |
10-10.30am | Morning tea | |
10.30am-12.30pm | New proposals development | |
| Introduction | A/Prof Andrew Toner (WA) and Professor Britta von Ungern-Sternberg (WA) |
| The efficacy of human fibrinogen concentrate the treatment of post-bypass cardiac bleeding. | Dr James Preuss (WA) |
| Australasian Multicentre Aspiration Risk Study (MARS): An observational study of pulmonary aspiration risk under Sip Til Send versus restrictive fasting protocols. | Dr Phuong Markman (QLD) |
| Perioperative troponin-guided escalation of care to reduce cardiovascular and renal complications after non-cardiac surgery: the PROTECT trial. | A/Prof Jonathon Fanning (QLD) |
| A Pilot, Registry-embedded, multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised controlled trial of oral Oxycodone versus Sublingual buprenorphine for postoperative pain control after Pelvic ExenteRation (PROSPER) | Dr Charlotte Johnstone (NSW) |
| FILTER-F: Feasibility of a randomised trial of intravenous medication filtration for reduction of surgical site infection in adult cardiac surgery. | Dr Matthew Moore (NZ) |
| VasoActive MedicatiOn in cardiac Surgery – a protocol for an internal pilot and definitive study for a 2x2 factorial, cluster crossover, registry-embedded, open-label randomised controlled trial comparing vasopressin to noradrenaline and milrinone to adrenaline (the VAMOS study). | A/Prof Tim Coulson (Vic) |
| Statistical treatment of missing data in trials studying pain Interventions: Guiding research data analytics to yield reliable estimates. | Daisy Evans (WA) |
12.30-1.20pm | Lunch | |
1.20-2.10pm | Business meetings and strategic updates | |
| Introduction | Dr Kate Drummond (SA) and Professor David Story (Vic) |
| CTN and ARCN business meeting | Professor Tomas Corcoran (WA), Ms Karen Goulding (Vic) and Ms Dhiraj Bhatia Dwivedi (Vic) |
| Research update | Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern AM (WA) |
| ANZCA Foundation and funding opportunities | Mr Rob Packer (Vic) |
2.10-3.30pm | Trial progress reports | |
| A/Prof Tim Coulson (Vic) | |
| Professor Rob Sanders (NSW) | |
| Professor Trisha Peel (Vic) | |
| Professor David A Scott AM (Vic) | |
| Professor Tomas Corcoran (WA) | |
| Professor Kate Leslie AO (Vic) | |
| Professor Philip Peyton (Vic) | |
3.40-4.10pm | Afternoon tea | |
4.10-5.30pm | New proposals development | |
| Introduction | Dr Doug Campbell (NZ) and A/Prof Stefan Dieleman (NSW) |
| Federated Learning for Development of National-Scale Machine Leaning Models for Paediatric Anaesthesia Risk and Event Prediction. | Dr Thomas Drake-Brockman (WA) |
| Development Of a novel perioperative Respiratory risk Management Optimisation tool Using Statistical Evidence (DORMOUSE). | Anwen Taplin (WA) |
| NSAID administration Or Theatre Benzodiazepine Avoidance for Delirium and Days alive and at home with Processed Eeg in Theatre (NOTBADD PET) Pilot Trial. | Dr Benjamin Moran (NSW) |
| Proposed RCT using a Multiplate algorithm to expedite urgent cardiac surgery and determine safety and cost effectiveness. | Dr Catherine Downs |
| Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Small Fibre Neuropathy: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Neuromodulation and Patient-Centred Outcomes. | Dr Eugene Henry |
| SMS text messaging to support opioid tapering: hybrid effectiveness/implementation study in Australian pain clinics. | Professor Paul Glare AM |
7-10.30pm | Conference Dinner (space-inspired), Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club | |
Program may change due to speaker availability.
Sunday 10 August
Sunday 10 August | ||
| 7.30-8am | Networking and coffee | |
Plenary program | ||
8-9am | Late breaking trial results | |
Welcome | Professor Tomas Corcoran (WA) | |
ROCKet trial results | Professor Philip Peyton (Vic) | |
| Panel discussion | Professor Philip Peyton (Vic), A/Prof Sabine Braat (SA), Professor Pamela Macintyre (SA) and Ms Hannah Cozens (Vic). |
9-9.30am | Morning tea | |
9.30-10.55am | Platform trials | |
| Introduction | Professor Katherine Lee (Vic) |
| Impact of Adaptive Platform Trials on site-level trial operations: managing complexity | Professor Steve Webb (WA) |
| PROMPT: Perioperative Medicine Platform Trials update | Professor Trisha Peel (Vic) |
| PROMPT SSI Oxygen | Dr Daniel Frei (NZ) |
| Q&A panel discussion | Professor Steve Webb (WA), Professor Trisha Peel (Vic), Dr Daniel Frei (NZ) and Dr Lisa Higgins (Vic). |
10.30-11.45am | Innovative trials | |
10.30-11.40am | The Great Debate: All trial questions within the CTN should be answered within a platform trial? | |
| Welcome | Professor Andrew Davidson (Vic) and Dr Belinda Phillips (Vic) |
| Pro-platform trials | Dr Benjamin Moran (NSW) |
| Anti-platform trials | A/Prof Lachlan Miles (Vic) |
| Pro-platform trials rebuttal | Professor Katherine Lee (Vic) |
| Anti-platform trials RCT rebuttal | Dr Lisa Higgins (Vic) |
| Audience poll | Dr Belinda Phillips (Vic) |
11.10-11.45am | The future of innovative trials in the CTN | |
| Panel discussion | A/Prof Lachlan Miles (Vic), Dr Ben Moran (NSW), Dr Lisa Higgins (Vic), Professor Katherine Lee (Vic), Professor Tomas Corcoran (WA) and Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern AM (WA). |
| Closing remarks | Professor Tomas Corcoran (WA) |
11.45am-12.15pm | Lunch | |
Program may change due to speaker availability.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Participants in the ANZCA and FPM CPD Program will automatically have their attendance auto-populated to their CPD portfolio within 14 days of the conclusion of the meeting.
ANZCA and FPM CPD Program
This event is claimable by ANZCA and FPM CPD participants within the knowledge and skills category.
Category 2: Knowledge and skills activities
Category 2: Knowledge and skills – Learning session
If you're not a member of our CPD program
Delegates who are not participants of the ANZCA and FPM CPD Program should check with their respective colleges/providers regarding CPD. A certificate of attendance is available from the event organiser.
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Our network of fellows, trainees, and research co-ordinators advance patient care and safety through multi-centre research.
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