Consumers are an essential part of research projects, spanning across many aspects of projects and levels of involvement. Consumer advocates, George Kiossoglou and Jo Cockwill will join Dr Grace Gard to discuss consumer involvement in research, including learnings from their own experiences. They will discuss practical examples and advice relevant to researchers, clinicians and current and aspiring consumers.
Keely is an education leader who has designed and implemented innovative researcher leadership and career development programs; overseen major graduate and undergraduate course improvements; participated in, and advocated for, consumer-focused education and leadership; and promoted exciting new online learning experiences. Over her 11 years at WEHI, she has created and delivered a comprehensive researcher development program supporting 200 students and their 90 supervisors. She promotes knowledge exchange on education initiatives and researcher development through local, national and international peer reviewed communications, online resources, workshops and lectures.
Dr Gard treats lung and genitourinary cancers including prostate, bladder and kidney cancer. Her research passions are about using real world data to inform clinical practice and improving patient education. Grace has been fortunate to be involved in multiple projects with consumers at varying levels, including co-design. She wants to empower others to meaningfully incorporate consumers into all research projects.
Jo is an original member of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee (CCAC) and currently Deputy Chair. She was a member of the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre Consumer Advisory Committee for seven years, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) Consumer Advisory Panel for four years, and a current member of the WEHI Consumer Research Program.
Jo has worked as the Hunter Breast Cancer Education Officer for Breast Cancer Trials in Newcastle, where she also trained as a Genetic Counsellor with Hunter Genetics. Jo is passionate about supporting cancer research and equitable cancer care, following her own lived experience both as a carer and patient. She strongly believes that consumers can provide valuable input into decisions about cancer research, policies and practice and can play an important role in improving cancer health outcomes for all.
George spent 41 years working in the IT industry before retiring in 2016. In April 2013 he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and underwent chemotherapy followed by an Allogenic Stem Cell transplant in the same year. He is on various grant review boards, committees, including, Melbourne Health Ethics Committee, a Consumer Representative for WEHI, MACH, VCCC Alliance and the AHRA CCI initiative.
