RECOVER Injury Research Centre

19/03/2026

"You wouldn't buy a car without test-driving it first, so why should a wheelchair be any different?" - John (JJ) Hitchens, VR Wheelchair Simulator consumer lead.

We're wrapping up trials on the Virtual Reality Wheelchair Simulator, so get in quick if you want to test-drive the prototype.

Thanks to the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIISQ Agency) for funding, and Spinal Life Australia for support.

UQ Health RAD Rollin All Day

Physically trialling a motorised wheelchair is time-consuming and resource intensive, especially in a hospital environment. The UQ RECOVER Injury Research Centre sparked the idea of using VR to trial different types of power wheelchairs before committing to a purchase.

18/03/2026

It's Brain Awareness Week! 16–22 March 2026 🧠

Brain Awareness Week is a chance to learn why brain health matters and how brain diseases, disorders, and injuries affect millions of Australians.
Brain health is important at every stage of life. Taking small, proactive steps can help support your brain, reduce risk, and recognise changes earlier.
This year, the Brain Foundation is hosting a series of free live webinars with experts (Monday to Friday).

These sessions are a great opportunity to:
✔️ Learn about brain health and different brain conditions
✔️ Hear directly from experts
✔️ Ask questions and be part of the conversation

Find out more and register:
https://brainfoundation.org.au/brain-awareness-week/
Join the conversation and take a step toward better brain health.

18/03/2026

We’re creating a bold 15-year Science and Innovation Strategy to drive jobs, grow industries, attract investment, and tackle key challenges. Now’s your chance to share your ideas and make an impact!

📄 Contribute to the Ideas into Impact: Accelerating Science and Innovation for a Better Future discussion paper.
📅 Consultation closes 31 March 2026.
💻 Submit your feedback: https://bit.ly/4aDlxcq or email ScienceandInnovation@detsi.qld.gov.au.

Join our workshops and webinars across Queensland to co-design this transformative strategy:

➕General consultation sessions
📍 Brisbane: Tuesday, 24th March 2026 - https://bit.ly/4sP8ivx
📍 Sunshine Coast: Tuesday 31st March 2026 - https://bit.ly/474YdCl
💻 Rural and Remote Queenslanders - Virtual: 30th March 2026 - https://bit.ly/4lDxJOm

➕First Nations deep dive sessions
📍Brisbane: Friday, 27th March (8.30am - 10:30am) - The Precinct, Fortitude Valley - https://bit.ly/4uznxKw
💻 Virtual: Friday, 27th March - https://bit.ly/3N4KyEA

RSVP today and help shape Queensland’s innovation future 👉 https://bit.ly/4aDlxcq

17/03/2026

What's next in VR research at RECOVER? We're working on a VR program to help wheelchair users manage falls. RECOVER's Robert Cuthbert and Director Trevor Russell are working with Kathryn Marshall (project lead), Jacki Liddle, and the UQ Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Group on the co-designed program.

The State Government is investing in new research which will use virtual reality (VR) to help people practise how to manage falls and navigate everyday env...

26/02/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to the STARS Consumer Showcase yesterday. We spent a beautiful morning out on the terrace lawn, celebrating the amazing research done in partnership with health consumers. The passion, perspective, lived experience, and unique skillsets that our consumer partners bring to research projects really are the 'secret sauce.'

Huge thanks to Dr Kimberley Baxter from the STARS Education and Research Alliance for organising the event.

Pictured: Helen Gray, Rachel Cobcroft (RECOVER Consumer Advisory Group), William McCann (NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury ); Dr Lisa Anemaat ( STARS Education and Research Alliance); and the beautiful terrace lawn and stall holders at the Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) where we are based.

19/02/2026

Congratulations to Dr Clare Burns and team, who were awarded a research grant to "Co-design a virtual reality supermarket (VRSupermarket) for multidisciplinary rehabilitation."
Immersive VR allows patients to practice skills and activities relevant to their rehabilitation goals, while still being supported by their clinician. The VRSupermarket will join a suite of VR tools for rehabilitation, which to date include a coffee shop, home, and transport hub.

We are incredibly proud to announce the newest recipients of our RBWH Foundation Grants! ✨

These grants have been awarded to support groundbreaking research and innovative patient care initiatives that have the power to transform health outcomes and advance the future of care.

A big congratulations to all our recipients! We can't wait to see the inspiring and meaningful impact your work brings. 💪🏼

12/12/2025

🚨 Calling Men Over 45 or Living in Remote Areas! 🧠💬
We’re conducting a research project to understand why men often don’t use digital mental health support services—and how we can make these tools more helpful.

📋 What’s involved?
A confidential one-hour chat (online or in-person) about your experiences and thoughts on digital support for men doing it tough.
You don’t need to have used apps or online services before—your perspective matters!

💡 Why participate?
Your insights will help shape better mental health support for men across Australia.

✅ Who can join?
Men 45 years or older, OR
Men living in a remote area
Have felt stressed, anxious, or down at some point
⏱️ Time commitment: Up to 1 hour
🔒 Confidential and anonymous
🎁 Reimbursement: $75 gift card
📌 Interested?

Sign up here: https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4PmjoFv0eRAbyZM

Or learn more via UQ’s official research volunteer page:
https://partners-community.uq.edu.au/get-involved/volunteer-research-study/barriers-and-facilitators-access-and-engagement-digital-mental-health-services-priority-populations

Please share this post or tag someone who might be interested. Your voice can make a difference.

04/12/2025

Who wants to strap on some VR goggles and test drive the VR power wheelchair simulator? We've been working with JJ (from RAD Rollin All Day ) and a co-design team at Spinal Life Australia to bring JJ's vision to life. There are a few sessions left to play through the prototype game and share your thoughts.

RAD Rollin All Day , Spinal Life Australia, Queensland Powerchair Football Assoc Inc, Queenslanders with Disability Network

01/12/2025

This month's edition of Research Australia's INSPIRE Magazine features Dr Nicole Andrews' Pain ROADMAP. The mobile application enables people living with chronic pain and their clinicians to identify activities that trigger pain flare-ups and modify them with activity pacing. Pain ROADMAP is currently being tested in a pilot trial to support opioid tapering.

Read the full article 👉 https://researchaustralia.org/inspire-magazine/

UQ Health

16/11/2025

Are PEMF mats popping up in your feed? Professor Michele Sterling from RECOVER discussed the evidence base for claims about these devices for the Guardian's Antiviral series.

People in pain swear by pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Experts weigh in on the mats that have emerged as a self-therapy tool

28/10/2025

This study is part of the RISE project, which aims to pilot test the text message intervention to improve recovery for Queenslanders following a road traffic injury.

22/10/2025

Do you know someone who has recently experienced whiplash from a road traffic incident?

We’re inviting Queenslanders with recent lived experience of whiplash (within the past 3 months) to take part in a 2-hour online workshop. Your insights will help shape RISE — a new text message support program designed to make recovery more accessible and responsive to the emotional impact of trauma.

➡️Participants will be remunerated $50/hour for their time.

➡️Interested? Email Jessica Formosa at j.formosa@uq.edu.au
to learn more or register.

https://recover.centre.uq.edu.au/get-involved/volunteer-research-study #4