APSAD 2025

Committee

Program Development

The APSAD 2025 Conference Program is developed by the Scientific Advisory Committee—comprised of APSAD members working across the alcohol and other drugs sector, including clinicians, nurses, researchers, and other professionals—in close collaboration with the First Nations Leadership Group. The Leadership Group includes Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pasifika researchers, peers, and allied health professionals, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives and priorities are meaningfully embedded throughout the program. There are many other First Nations leaders who will continue to contribute to APSAD 2025 and we welcome the input of others. Please reach out to the conference secretariat at apsadconference(at)ashm.org.au to express interest.

Alan Bennett, Born and raised with mob on Ngemba country*
Alice Pierce, NUAA
Amy Faden, DANA
Amy Peacock, National Drug And Alcohol Research Centre, The University of Sydney
Angie Kocsisek, NUAA
Anke van der Sterren, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
Anna Olson, The Australian National University
Annelies Robijn, National Drug And Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
Pulotu Master Bruce Levi, Service Manager Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Integrated Care North*
Chris Gough, CAHMA
Chris Holmwood, University of Adelaide
Christina Marel, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney
Craig Rodgers, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
Dani Manton, Proud Barunggam woman, grown on Dharug land*
Daniel Morrison-Bird, Proud Noongar Yamitji Gija man*
David Newcombe, University Of Auckland
Dwaine Faletanoai, Health New Zealand, Takanga a Fohe, Te Whatu Ora*
Ele Morrison, AIVL
Elisabeth Yar, ATODA

Grace Oh, ADEC
Helen Sopoaga-Schmidt*
Jack Wilson, The Matilda Centre For Research In Mental Health And Substance Use
Jacqueline Bowden, NCETA
Jai Whelan, University Of Otago*
James Dunne, Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council
Janie Sheridan, University Of Auckland
Jeff Buckley, Insight, Queensland Health
Jimmy Perry, ADAC
Jioji Ravulo, The University Of Sydney*
Kate Senior, DASSA
Kim Gates, Aboriginal Health Council of WA
Kurt Simpson, Proud Gamilaraay man*
Kylie Lee, La Trobe University
Lealofi Sio*
Levii Griffiths, Proud Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay man*
Liam Acheson, National Centre For Clinical Research On Emerging Drugs
Lynette Bullen, Proud Wiradjuri woman*
Michael White, SANDAS Inc
Monica Barrat, RMIT University
Natasha Reid, The University of Queensland
Phillip Hull, Act Health Directorate

Raechel Wallace, Proud Wandi Wandian woman of the Yuin nation*
Rebecca Hyland, Proud Kamilaroi-Gomeroi, Yinar (woman)*
Robert Stirling, NADA
Robyn Williams, Curtin University
Scott Wilson, Northern Territory Stolen Generations*
Simon Clay, NDARC
Simone Clinch-Moore, Badimia Yamatji Woman (Midwest area) with connections to Yaud Noongar people*
Siobhan O'Dean, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney
Steph Kershaw, The Matilda Centre For Research In Mental Health And Substance Use
Stephanie Holmes, AADANT
Suzie Hudson, NSW Ministry Of Health
Tayla Degan, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong
Tina Taylor, Proud Wailwan & Ngiyampaa Yinnar (woman)*
Tuari Potiki, University of Otago*
Vicki Simpson, Proud Wiradjuri woman*
Winifred Asare-Doku, NDARC
Yasmin Iese, Cultural Consultant*
Zoe Bok, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania

* indicates membership in the First Nations Leadership Group

APSAD acknowledges that the conference is being held on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s continuing connection to land, water, and community and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. APSAD acknowledges Sovereignty in this country has never been ceded. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.