Workshop 2
Tracks
Breakout 6
| Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM |
Overview
Global strategies to prevent spinal cord injuries: Evidence, practice and future directions
Details
This workshop will bring together clinicians, researchers, public health practitioners, policymakers, and people with lived experience to reflect on current SCI prevention efforts and identify opportunities to strengthen them. Using systems thinking alongside behavioural and implementation science, the workshop will identify leverage points to support the development of evidence-informed strategies to reduce the incidence of SCI. We will also assess how collaboration between ISCoS committees and international partners can strengthen global SCI prevention initiatives.
Presenter (only the submitting author is listed below; co-presenters, where applicable, will be listed in the conference app)
Dr Denise Goodwin
Health & Social Portfolio Lead
Behaviourworks Australia, Monash University
Global strategies to prevent spinal cord injuries: Evidence, practice and future directions
Biography
Dr. Goodwin is an applied behavioural scientist who specialises in translating research evidence into practice and policy. As Co-Director of Health & Social Programs at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University, she brings expertise in understanding and influencing attitudinal shifts, social norms, and behavioural changes at both individual and community levels.
Her approach is grounded in the BehaviourWorks Australia method, which emphasizes identifying behavioural drivers and barriers to determine which interventions are most likely to succeed, for whom, and under what circumstances. Dr. Goodwin frequently collaborates with domain specialists, applying behavioural insights and conducting foundational research to enhance intervention adoption in real-world settings.
Over the past decade, Denise’s research has concentrated on enhancing patient outcomes, strengthening communication within acute care settings, and advancing social inclusion. She has led two multi-year research initiatives with the Victorian Spinal Cord Service at Austin Health, AQA, and the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria. These projects addressed optimal bladder management and supported young men with spinal cord injuries (SCI) to "lead their best life" in contemporary society. The second project challenged traditional thinking and current care approaches, extending beyond conventional rehabilitation frameworks. Building on these successes, Denise is currently leading a trial examining peer coach co-facilitation of therapy sessions in SCI rehabilitation, and serves as chief investigator on a Sydney University project led by a researcher with lived experience, focusing on social participation that acknowledges person-centred, value-based healthcare frameworks. Beyond her SCI research, Denise has investigated interventions supporting people living with dementia and developed practice guidelines for traumatic brain injury management.