Sunny’s European implementation science tour
In June 2024, I was lucky to be invited to Europe to speak at the Dutch National Implementation Science colloquium in Utrecht, the Netherlands. During my trip, I also visited the Amsterdam Centre for Implementation Science, and attended an invite-only knowledge translation meeting in Uppsala, Sweden. It was an incredible opportunity to gain world leading research insights ahead of AusHSI’s upcoming colloquium Implementation Science in the Real World at QUT in August.
10-12 June, Utrecht, the Netherlands
I Arrived in beautiful Utrecht on Monday morning and beat jet lag by exploring the ancient old town. On Tuesday, I attended the Dutch National Implementation Science colloquium at Utrecht University. It was fantastic to meet leading implementation scientist peers from across the Netherlands and Europe.
The opening talk was presented by Prof Maria Fernandez, Vice President of Population Health and Implementation Science, University of Texas Health Science Centre. Maria discussed the value of intentional strategy selection and implementation mapping when planning implementation evaluation, complementing aspects of current research in developing strategy guidance.
Adaptation and sustainability were big themes of this conference and these topics popped up in all the major talks throughout. It was also really heartening to appreciate how much of our own work here at AusHSI holds up internationally, with so much of our own thinking around key issues also reflected at this conference.
I delivered my invited talk during a closing session on applying implementation theory to facilitate digital transformation within health systems. It was a full room and I fielded lots of questions during a really engaged session.
Australian researchers at the knowledge translation colloquium, University of Uppsala, included Prof Alison Hutchinson and colleagues from Deakin University, Prof Gill Harvey (Flinders University), Dr Olivia Fisher (Wesley Research Institute) and Dr Sunny Naicker (right).
Prof Maria Fernandez delivers her keynote speech at the Dutch Implementation Science Symposium.
13-18 June, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
On an early sunny Wednesday morning, I took the train up to beautiful but busy Amsterdam, where I was kindly hosted by the Amsterdam Centre for Implementation Science (AmsCIS) for almost a week. It was a fantastic and insightful week meeting with the incredibly passionate, kind and dedicated team of implementation scientists working across areas including infection control, sports medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, digital health, cancer control and low-value care.
We discussed a range of topics, from facilitating positive narratives, to sustaining system change, to issues around equity in the discipline and the role of theory. It was an unforgettable experience and I know I have made some lifetime collaborations from this visit.
Dr Sunny Naicker (right) with the AmsCIS team and Dr Olivia Fisher (Wesley Research Institute).
19-26 June, Sweden
I arrived in Stockholm in time for midsummer as part of a small weekend break before heading up to the university city of Uppsala. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful city while I processed my learnings and experiences so far on this amazing European journey.
I took the train to Uppsala on a warm Sunday afternoon in preparation for the 3-day knowledge translation colloquium held at the medieval University of Uppsala, founded in 1477. This invite only-event gathered a small group of implementation scientists, practitioners and clinicians from across the world to share and discuss “burning issues” within the field.
It was three days filled with passionate debate, inquiry and connection, often over Swedish Fika (a traditional Swedish coffee break to reflect and connect with the people around you). It also led to the formulation of a working group on Equity in implementation Science, which included several new colleagues and collaborators from Australia, Canada, Spain and Sweden. I look forward to continuing our discussions and collaboration in the coming years!
The Uppsala Cathedral.
Hear Dr Sundresan Naicker speak at Implementation Science in the Real World, 26-28 August 2024 at QUT Gardens Point.
