Within the MS Australia network of researchers, there is significant representation of mid-career researchers (postdoctoral researchers, senior lecturers) and senior academics (Associate Professor, Professor). The full cohort is comprised primarily of researchers, but also includes a number of students, neurologist-researchers, other clinician-researchers (immunologists and haematologists), and various other domains of health professionals.
The overlap between the clinical and academic fields is substantial, and a real strength of the Australian MS cohort. A large proportion of the cohort show overlapping clinical and research roles, such that one third of individuals fall into the ‘overlap’ category.
The MS Australia research cohort shows a strong representation of New South Wales and Victorian researchers. Smaller numbers of researchers are based in Queensland, South Australia, ACT, Western Australia, and Tasmania, which each have comparatively smaller population size, though each of these locations contains at least one or more key MS research hubs.
A very large range of organisations in Australia undertake MS research, including 31 universities and 21 medical research institutes from around the country.
Researchers from different disciplines are engaged in one or more fields of MS research, with the majority of survey respondents falling within key domains of genetics & epidemiology, immunology, neurobiology, and social & applied faculties. Social and applied research aims to understand the social, economic, and quality of life effects of MS, and encompasses a wide range of research including allied health and rehabilitation, psychology and cognition, health economics, and many other applied research domains. A smaller proportion of researchers reported working within other research fields, including bioinformatics and computer science, and radiology and imaging techniques.
Crucially, a number of researchers also reported an interest in studying other diseases in addition to MS, which provides an invaluable cross-fertilisation of expertise, knowledge, and translation of research discoveries, ensuring the MS research field is at the cutting edge of emerging technologies.
Researchers from different disciplines are engaged in one or more fields of MS research, with the majority of survey respondents falling within key domains of genetics & epidemiology, immunology, neurobiology, and social & applied faculties. Social and applied research aims to understand the social, economic, and quality of life effects of MS, and encompasses a wide range of research including allied health and rehabilitation, psychology and cognition, health economics, and many other applied research domains. A smaller proportion of researchers reported working within other research fields, including bioinformatics and computer science, and radiology and imaging techniques.
This may not be an exhaustive list. Submissions are welcome for additional Institutions that are active in MS research to add to this list. Click the "Submit your feedback or suggestions" link at the top of the page.