IMPACT OF NEXTSENSE INSTITUTE RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF SENSORY DISABILITIES
With
Professor Greg Leigh AO,
Director, NextSense Institute, Australia &
Conjoint Professor,
Macquarie School of Education
Macquarie University, Sydney
RESEARCH IMPACT
Filmed in Sydney, Australia | June 2025
NextSense, formerly known as the Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children, is a not-for-profit established in 1860 that provides dedicated, innovative, and customised services aimed at breaking down barriers for children, adults and families of people with hearing or vision loss.
NextSense has a 165 year history of providing services and education for individuals with sensory impairments. With the support of donations, NextSense provides vital support for children and adults, more cochlear implants than any other service in Australia, and is a world leader for research, technology and professional education in the fields of visions and hearing loss.
NextSense clinicians are actively involved in a number of leading research projects—both independently and in collaboration with local and international organisations.
The NextSense Institute, part of NextSense is Australia’s leading centre for research and professional education in the field of sensory disabilities.
The Institute offers a range of educational programs, including postgraduate degrees, professional development courses, and customised training for educators, therapists, health professionals, and carers. One of its flagship programs is the Master of Disability Studies, delivered in affiliation with Macquarie University, which prepares professionals to work with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision.
Professor Greg Leigh AO, Director NextSense Institute, talks about 3 areas of research that have had significant impact in it’s delivery of programs and services to Australians and countries across the world.
Through this research, NextSense Institute aims to break down barriers and redefine what is possible for individuals with sensory disabilities, fostering inclusion and enhancing quality of life.
Source: Written by AUDIENCED using source information from the NextSense website
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Blister management and impact on firefighters
David Burns, a Senior Paramedic with LifeAid, a private paramedicine company in Victoria and, has a diverse background in healthcare. He began his career as a registered nurse, progressing to critical care nursing specialising in liver transplants and cardiovascular surgery.
At the Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference, David presented research focused on the foot care of firefighters during prolonged bushfire campaigns. During the 2019-2020 bushfires, over 10,000 firefighters sought care, with nearly 50% requiring attention for foot-related issues. David emphasised that inadequate foot care could bench firefighters for up to 10 days, diminishing their ability to protect communities and critical infrastructure. Recognising the economic benefits of prioritising firefighter health, David advocates that ensuring their well-being allows communities to recover effectively and enhances safety for all involved in firefighting efforts.
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Lasers, microbiology and dental materials in clinical dental practice
Professor Laurence Walsh AO is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Queensland, holding an adjunct title at Griffith University and a part-time position as the Chief Dental Officer at Dentroid, which is based in Canberra. In addition to these roles, he serves on several committees of the Dental Association and is the current president of the Australian Society for Laser Dentistry.
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Next generation nanomedicine and radiopharmaceuticals to treat cancer
Finding better ways of treating cancer, aside from finding a cure, aim to provide a better quality of life for those who suffer from it.
Professor Thurecht’s work focuses on nanomedicine and spans across the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the Centre for Advanced Imaging, at the University of Queensland in Australia.
