Harrison Hansford
Harrison is an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholar in the final year of his PhD at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the School of Health Sciences at University of New South Wales (UNSW). His PhD focusses on improving the evidence-based management of musculoskeletal conditions, with a focus on surgical interventions for back pain. He is also interested in improving research reporting and quality to help improve trust in science more broadly
2025 Australian Pain Society (APS) Annual Scientific Meeting
I was grateful to receive the APS Travel Grant this year, which covered my travel and accommodation in Melbourne, without which I would not have been able to attend. I presented in a multidisciplinary workshop that I helped organise on surgery for back pain, which ended up generating a lot of interest and great discussion around the role of surgery in managing back pain. I felt the session was well received and there was a lot of discussion in the room, which was insightful for myself, and I hope the rest of the audience.
The conference program had a great mix of clinical, preclinical, and implementation science which made for a really engaging few days. I met several researchers doing spine surgery research in Australia who I had not crossed paths with before, and I am hoping to collaborate with them in the future.
One of the highlights for me was the workshop on implementing evidence-based care for back pain, led by Professor Christine Lin. The session left me feeling optimistic about where the field is heading. The workshop had a clear, practical focus and it was great to engage in a priority setting activity at the end of the workshop.
I am already looking forward to the next APS meeting in Adelaide. It is a great city, and I am sure the local organising committee will do an excellent job with the program. APS always does a great job at bringing people together across disciplines, and there is something special about the energy at these meetings that keeps me coming back.
Declaration:
Harrison Hansford has received funding from the NHRMC for a postdoctoral scholarship, Neuroscience Research Australia for a top up scholarship and a PhD Pearl sponsored by Mrs Sandra Salteri.
Australian Pain Society 