Held in Tasmania, AUSPATH 2025 brought together clinicians, researchers, community organisations, and people with lived experience, creating a rare and powerful space where research and real-world impact sit side by side.

This year, our group was proud to contribute through oral presentations, posters, and symposium sessions exploring the intersections between movement, mental health, gender-affirming care, and wellbeing.

Across sessions, a consistent theme emerged: movement is not an “add-on” to care, but a meaningful, accessible, and affirming pathway to health, agency, and connection when designed with community, not for it.

One of the most valuable aspects of the conference was reconnecting face-to-face with colleagues from the Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children (ARCTYC) was a particular highlight. ARCTYC represents a national partnership between trans young people, clinicians, community organisations, and researchers, working across multiple streams to strengthen the evidence base for gender-affirming care. Looking ahead, we are excited to be working alongside this consortium in 2026–2027 to roll out a national trial of a movement program designed to support the health and wellbeing of trans young people. This work reflects a shared commitment to rigorous research that is grounded in lived experience and responsive to community priorities.

The conference also provided an important platform for emerging researchers. Watching PhD candidates Felicity Austin and Kai Schweizer present their work was both inspiring and grounding. Their presentations demonstrated not only methodological rigour, but a clear alignment with values of inclusion, collaboration, and impact.

For Kai, a standout was supporting research that meaningfully integrated quantitative analysis with qualitative accounts that centre lived experience. 

Check out the work of Will’s Conabere – https://lnkd.in/g5n5NhdF

Felicity was particularly struck by the power of multidisciplinary care, highlighted by Niall Taylor from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne , who presented on their voice and communication services. Their work highlighted the vital role of voice, communication, and expressive confidence in supporting gender-diverse young people.

Together, these reflections reinforced the strong synergy between movement and communication, and the importance of holistic, affirming care that is embedded across systems rather than siloed.

Beyond the formal program, AUSPATH underscored the value of relationships. Informal conversations and shared reflections reminded us that progress in trans health is driven collectively, through trust, collaboration, and community.

We also acknowledge the vital support of families who travelled alongside the team, helping sustain balance and perspective throughout the conference.

Looking ahead, AUSPATH 2025 reaffirmed our commitment to developing and evaluating evidence-informed, accessible, and affirming movement-based interventions in partnership with communities and health systems. We return motivated, grounded, and confident in the direction of travel, and proud to be contributing to the future of gender-affirming care.