About Winter School
The Australian Winter School has built a reputation over more than 30 years for delivering a high quality program of the latest developments in emerging issues and the latest developments in harm reduction and the treatment of alcohol and other drug related problems.
This national forum supports workers, clinicians and policy makers in the sector to develop skills and knowledge in responding to and treating alcohol and drug-related issues.
The conference is run over three days and features workshops, keynote speakers, breakout presentations and panel discussions to explore ideas and provide delegates with the tips, tools and solutions to:
• build capacity around implementing evidence informed practice
• examine the key components of successful and effective alcohol and other drugs harm reduction and treatment interventions
• develop an understanding of the latest innovations, good practice and continuous improvement
• discuss ways to influence policy and the important role of research and evaluation
Presentations address practice, policy and treatment areas, as well as population trends, early intervention and prevention and the issue of co-morbidity. The content provides professional development for alcohol and other drug workers, clinicians and policy makers to support their knowledge and understanding of contemporary practice.
The theme for the 2024 Australian Winter School AOD Conference is 'Different Ways of Doing'.
Following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are highlighting the inherently different way of working that has emerged across research, policy and treatment relating to alcohol and other drugs.
With a focus on innovative practice and new ideas, the conference will have something for everyone.
Keynote Speakers
Professor Kane Race
Professor of Gender & Cultural Studies
School of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Social Science
The University Of Sydney
Professor James Ward
Director
UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Infectious Diseases Epidemiologist University of Queensland
Caty Simon
Research Assistant
Department of Internal Medicine
Yale University
Louise Vincent
Executive Director
North Carolina
NC Survivors Union
Dinah Ortiz-Adames
Associate Director
Community Engagement
The Bronx Defenders
Robert Stirling
Chief Executive Officer
Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA)
Professor Leanne Hides
Director of Meaningful Outcomes in Substance Use Treatment,
NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence
University of Queensland