Day 1 - The Great Debate

Monday 26 October 2026

12.30pm - 1.30pm | Lecture Theatre | Hybrid Event

"The pursuit of breakthrough health innovations should take precedence over ethical, privacy and environmental concerns."

Join us for a thought-provoking debate exploring one of healthcare’s most pressing questions: how do we balance the drive for innovation with our responsibilities to patients, communities and the environment?

This engaging session will bring together leading experts from health care, research, law and digital health to debate whether breakthrough innovations should be prioritised, or whether ethical considerations, privacy protections, public trust and sustainability must remain at the forefront of decision-making. Audience polling before and after the debate will capture changing perspectives and reveal how opinions evolve throughout the discussion.

Host and Adjudicator: Chloe Shorten, Bayside Health Board Director

Featured Speakers

Affirmative Team: Advocating that breakthrough healthcare innovation should be prioritised to improve patient outcomes and strengthen health system resilience.

Dr Shane Nanayakkara, Interventional Cardiologist and AI Researcher

Prof Meng Law, Expert in Advanced Neuroimaging, AI and Precision Diagnostics

Prof Victoria Mar, Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred

Opposing Team: Advocating that innovation must remain grounded in ethics, privacy, public trust and environmental sustainability.

A/Prof Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins, Researcher in Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Healthcare Innovation

Mr David Ruschena, Legal Counsel, Bayside Health

Dr Sudeep Saraf, Chief Digital Health Officer, Bayside Health

Judging Panel

Angela Henjak

Chloe Shorten

Katrina Lewis

Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear diverse perspectives, challenge your assumptions and contribute to an important conversation about the future of healthcare.

Contact the host of Research Week - The Great Debate

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