Innovation and real world impact take centre stage this week, as the Canberra Health Annual Research Meeting (CHARM) highlights how research is transforming healthcare in the ACT.
Running from 15 to 19 June 2026, CHARM will connect clinicians, researchers, students and policy makers, highlighting the impact of research on local health outcomes.
Held across Canberra Hospital and the University of Canberra, the four-day program features keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and presentations, alongside poster and three-minute pitch sessions
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the event demonstrates how research can improve care for Canberrans.
“The ACT is home to a vibrant and collaborative health research community, and CHARM is an opportunity to showcase that innovation and expertise,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“CHARM demonstrates how we are building a strong learning health system in the ACT, where research, policy and practice work together to deliver better outcomes for patients. By investing in research and supporting our health workforce, we are ensuring our system continues to evolve and meet the needs of our growing community.”
This year’s program explores diverse and emerging areas of health research, including patient care and experience, artificial intelligence, mental health, cancer, infectious diseases, workforce challenges and planetary health.
The program also features leading voices exploring the intersection of data, technology and health, such as Professor Michelle Lazarus from Monash University presenting on artificial intelligence in healthcare.
“As technology shapes our healthcare systems, we all have the opportunity and responsibility to shape how technology is integrated into these systems. CHARM is providing the platform for us all to explore, understand, examine the tensions between the humans in healthcare, and the algorithms that shape it,” Professor Michelle Lazarus said.
Other topics to be covered include planetary health, focusing on how environments and systems shape health and wellbeing, and the importance of First Nations knowledge and data in shaping the future of health care.
The conference will also celebrate the achievements of Canberra’s health research community and announce the winners of the CHARM Rising Star Awards.
These awards recognise emerging researchers who are making a significant impact across allied health, nursing, midwifery, clinical research and health policy, supporting the next generation of leaders in health research in the ACT.
The recipients of the 2026 CHARM Rising Star Awards are:
Outstanding New Researcher Award: Miss Shreya Mahajan – Australian National University
This research has discovered new ways the immune system can influence the growth of bowel cancer, with discoveries that could support earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatments.
Clinician-Researcher Awards: Dr Mogeshni Govender – Canberra Health Services
The first human study of vitamin B3 for Raynaud phenomenon, showing it may offer a safe, accessible and low-cost new treatment option for patients with limited alternatives. The study also incorporates artificial intelligence-assisted nailfold videocapillaroscopy to detect subtle vascular changes, highlighting the translational potential of this work.
Collaborative Research Award: Karyn Cuthbert, Barbara Lee and the Hospital in the Home nursing team – Canberra Health Services
This research is improving access to safe, hospital-level care at home and helping more patients receive intravenous antibiotic treatment in the comfort of their own home.
Consumer Engagement Award: Mr Zijian Wang, Australian National University
This research is helping transform consumer engagement in palliative care, combining published research and practical guidance to support more meaningful involvement of patients, carers and lived-experience experts in shaping care.
In addition, this year’s highly commended recipient is:
Outstanding New Researcher: Dr Macey Barratt – University of Canberra
This research is reshaping partnership-based care, from giving children a stronger voice in hospital care to leading a $1.87 million co-designed national training program for the disability workforce.
