The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Shoalhaven Campus will host the 2025 UOW Rural Health Research Conference this weekend, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and community stakeholders to address the unique challenges facing regional communities.
The two-day conference, running Friday 14 March to Saturday 15 March, will focus on “Multidisciplinary and Community-Engaged Approaches in Rural Healthcare” – a timely theme as rural communities continue to face significant healthcare disparities and workforce shortages.
Professor Russell Roberts, Professor of Management and Leadership at Charles Sturt University, will serve as the Keynote Speaker, bringing his extensive expertise in rural mental health and leadership.
Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Eileen McLaughlin said access to quality healthcare continues to be a significant concern for regional communities.
“This conference provides a crucial platform for sharing evidence-based solutions that can be implemented to address the healthcare challenges specific to rural and regional Australia,” Professor McLaughlin said.
The conference will feature research presentations across four critical themes. Participants will explore Digital Health solutions for remote communities, strategies for Rural and Regional Workforce Development, Innovations in Care Delivery models, and approaches to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health outcomes.
The event builds on the success of previous conferences, which have highlighted issues such as healthcare access inequities, mental health service gaps, and the ongoing challenges of attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in regional areas.
