Research

Research Committee

Rationale

As a professional association Osteopathy Australia is engaged in a diverse range of activities; however, all activities have an overarching goal to enhance and promote osteopathy. 

High quality university education and training provides academics, osteopaths and graduates who work in a variety of health care settings.  The research areas included in our research priorities needs to be equally broad and encompass clinical issues beyond technique or treatment efficacy. 

With limited funds and multiple competing requests, clear priorities in research for Osteopathy Australia will inform our research policy and the all future funding. In doing so, this ensures the direction of research supported by us is consistent with the broader aims of the Osteopathy Australia’s research strategy and supports the place of the osteopathy in higher education and health care.

The Research Committee shall advise Osteopathy Australia on research policy and on the development of strategies to promote research and scholarship in osteopathy.  In addition, it shall have delegated responsibility for reviewing the scientific worth, validity and proposed methodology of research proposals. 

The Research Committee will recommend such research proposals to the Osteopathy Australia Board for consideration.  The Research Committee shall report on its meetings and activities to the Board.

Membership

• Georgia Ellis, (Chair) Osteopath and Osteopathy Australia Director

• Sandra Grace, Professor, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University

• Amie Steel, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney

• Kathryn Refshauge, Professor of Allied Health (Strategic Partnerships), University of Sydney

• Shamona Eaves, Osteopathy Australia Senior Research and Project Officer

• Antony Nicholas, Osteopathy Australia Chief Executive Officer

Terms of Reference

The Research Committee shall be directly responsible to the Osteopathy Australia Board and will have the following functions:

• Develop a comprehensive and transparent research funding policy and processes.
• Review the scientific worth, validity and proposed methodology of research proposals to be conducted by Osteopathy Australia, in collaboration with Osteopathy Australia, or using Osteopathy Australia’s resources
• Maintain a register of approved research projects
• Monitor the progress of approved research projects in accordance with the agreed requirements in order to ensure that research is conducted in accordance with the Osteopathy Australia’s approval of the research
• Make recommendations on future strategic planning and policy directions for research and the development funding models
• Recommend opportunities for liaison with external bodies, research funding bodies and Journal editors etc. for the advancement and recognition of research within osteopathy
• Develop an annual plan for research activity, particularly in relation to research proposals,  and report on its activities in timeframes as set by the Board
• Provide advice to the Board on the development of the research culture and profile of osteopathy and Osteopathy Australia.

Where requested by Osteopathy Australia, the Research Committee may also:

• Develop and review Osteopathy Australia’s research policies and procedures framework in line with the identified research priorities
• Make recommendations on budget and resource requirements to support research and scholarship activities of Osteopathy Australia
• Represent Osteopathy Australia’s research interests and/or liaise with external stakeholders on behalf of Osteopathy Australia

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.