The newly formed Genomics Education Network of Australasia (GENA) held its first meeting this August to coincide with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia annual scientific meeting.
The meeting, hosted by the University of Technology Sydney, brought together 44 members ranging from university academics to clinician educators, who develop and deliver a variety of genomics education activities and resources including postgraduate degrees, massive open online courses, conferences, workshops and seminars, and other resources.
The meeting was focused on establishing connections among members and gathering input on the scope and structure for the network (including the formation of special interest groups).
Australian Genomics’ Workforce and Education Program shared their latest findings from recent landscape mapping and needs analysis studies and presented the newly developed evaluation framework for genomic education: designed as a helpful tool for anyone developing a genomic education activity or resource. Meeting attendees welcomed these insights and resource as helpful tools to plan future genomic education products.
The network will now move to develop a terms of reference, a functional space to share expertise and resources, and advertise the network broadly across Australia and New Zealand. The network has grown to 77 members since mid-2018, and continues to welcome interested individuals or groups.
You may be interested in joining the network if are:
- An educator providing formal genomics education programs to university students, health professionals or scientists
- A health professional delivering genomics education activities to other health professionals
- An evaluator or researcher interested in sharing and/or testing research outcomes for genomics education
- Someone who is thinking of developing a genomics education activity, program or core competencies.
For more, please email education@australiangenomics.org.au.
Thank you to meeting convenors Amy Nisselle, Bronwyn Terrill, Sylvia Metcalfe and Clara Gaff (Australian Genomics).
Special thank you to the University of Technology Sydney and meeting host, Alison McEwen.
