Skip to main content

Research committee

As a professional association, we are engaged in a diverse range of activities with an overarching goal to enhance and promote osteopathy, and research is a critical element of this.

The Osteopathy Australia Research Committee advises the organisation on research policy and strategy, ensuring that funding and activities strengthen osteopathy’s evidence base, academic presence, and clinical impact. The Committee reviews the scientific merit, validity, and methodology of research proposals, helping to guide strategic priorities and support high-quality research across clinical and academic settings.

Our role

The Committee ensures research support aligns with Osteopathy Australia’s priorities, supports collaboration, and addresses a broad range of clinical and academic issues. Responsibilities include reviewing proposals, monitoring ongoing projects, recommending future strategic directions, and promoting engagement with external research bodies. The Committee also facilitates the effective use of research in education and clinical practice.

Get Involved

If you are passionate about advancing osteopathy through research, we invite you to submit an Expression of Interest to join the Research Committee. Opportunities will be advertised on our website when a call for EOIs is open, and appointments are made by the Board based on expertise, experience, and alignment with the Committee’s objectives.

Members

Heath Williams - Chair

Osteopath and Osteopathy Australia Board member

 

Amanda Sayan

Osteopathy Australia Research and Grants Officer

Amie Steel

Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney

Antony Nicholas

Osteopathy Australia Chief Executive Officer

Georgia Ellis

Osteopath and former Osteopathy Australia Board member

Jack Feehan

Vice Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow, Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University

Kathryn Refshauge 

Professor of Allied Health (Strategic Partnerships), University of Sydney

 

Kesava Kovanur Sampath

Associate Professor Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University

 

Nicholas Tripodi

Senior lecturer, research fellow and co-course chair of the osteopathy program at Victoria University

We thank all research committee members for generously volunteering their time.

View the Research Committee's Terms of Reference


Conflict of Interest

All committee members, regardless of staff or director status, will be required to declare any conflict (real or perceived) to be declared prior to any participation in each individual meeting. The committee will then record any conflict and the action they have undertaken.