Researchers vie to present most exciting findings at Safety in Action Conference

RESEARCHERS will compete for cash during the Safety in Action Conference in April 2010 as part of a bid to stimulate OHS research.

OHS professional body, the Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) will host a Three Minute Thesis Competition as part of the Safety in Action Conference. Researchers are asked to present a compelling three-minute speech explaining the value and potential impact of their studies.

SIA claims researchers will also gather at the conference to launch the SIA Education Chapter Academy of OHS University OHS Education and Research. The first meeting of the Academy is said to provide a focus for OHS research in Australia, which SIA Education Chapter secretary Pam Pryor says is currently extremely limited.

"OHS education and OHS research is at a crossroads with threats from various sources but also great opportunities," Pryor said.

"Part of the threat derives from a lack of agreed strategy and direction for OHS research and little promotion and publicity for the research that is conducted, and therefore a low level application of what is learnt from the OHS research, thus inhibiting improvement in workplace safety and health."

Pryor says she expects the conference to produce a discussion paper describing the current state of OHS research in Australia and containing recommendations to enhance research output and quality.

The Safety in Action Conference will be held by SIA and WorkSafe Victoria, alongside the Safety in Action trade show from April 20 to 22 at the Melbourne Convention Centre.