Scientific Committee Terms of Reference

Purpose and Responsibilities

The 2027 International Allied Health Conference Scientific Committee (the Scientific Committee) will play an important role in the preparation of the conference program – from the initial abstract review through to finalising the program content.

Scientific Committee members are expected to provide high quality advice and guidance that ensures scholarly excellence in the review of submitted abstracts.

The administration and management of the conference will remain the responsibility of the 2027 International Allied Health Conference Organising Committee (the Organising Committee) and the ACT Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, HCSD.

Membership

The Scientific Committee will be comprised of members from a broad range of health professions from across Australia who have been chosen via an expression of interest process by the Organising Committee. The members represent different geographical regions and areas of expertise within the themes and sub-themes of the conference. The conference event manager will be an ex-officio member.

Chair

The Committee will be chaired by Dr Sue Fitzpatrick, Chief Allied Health Officer, Office of Professional Leadership and Education, HCSD, ACT, or their delegate.

Secretariat

Secretariat support will be provided by the ACT Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, HCSD.

Operating procedures

Meetings

• Committee members will be required to be available for a meeting on Wednesday 24 February 2027 to discuss evaluation criteria.
• Following the review of abstracts subsequent meetings may be scheduled to consider outcomes of the review process.
• Meetings will be held online via Microsoft Teams, with the Conference Event Manager to distribute meeting invites.
• Members may be asked to provide comment by email on specific issues outside of scheduled meeting times.
• All members must declare any potential conflict of interest at the commencement of each meeting. The Chair will decide whether that member should absent themselves from the identified issue for its discussion.

Membership Responsibilities

• Nominate themes to review
• Attend meetings when required
• Declare potential conflicts of interest if they arise in reviewing abstracts
• Complete abstract reviews within nominated timeframes
• Notify Conference Event Manager if circumstances arise impacting reviewing process
• Use the scoring rubric provided to assess abstract submissions and provide additional comment regarding submissions
• Respond to additional requests for information from Conference Design or Chair/delegate in relation to abstract reviews

Time commitment and key dates

Time commitment:

• Each reviewer will be provided abstracts linked to their area of expertise. Reviewer time commitment will vary based on the number of abstracts allocated. Please notify the team early if you are unlikely to meet deadlines.

Scientific Committee Expressions of Interest (EOI):

• Open 9 November 2026
• Close 30 November 2026
• Notification if accepted 7 December 2026

Abstract submission timeline:

• Open September 2026
• Close 17 February 2027

Abstract review period:

• 3 March –24 March 2027

Reviews finalised (including third reviewer if required):

• 24 March –14 April 2027.

Notifications of abstract outcomes:

• 21 April 2027