HISTORY WEEK EVENT | 5 Years on from COVID-19

5 Years on from COVID-19: lessons from past health crises and the future of global health

Five years since COVID-19 reshaped global concern about pandemics, new infectious threats dominate headlines and provoke public uncertainty while endemic diseases like malaria and tuberculosis continue to pose significant global challenges. This panel discussion aims to leverage historical insights from past health crises, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, to better prepare for and respond to ongoing and future infectious diseases.

Join our panel of experts: 

• Edward Holmes, Professor of Virology, University of Sydney, and NHMRC Leadership Fellow
• Claire Hooker, Associate Professor in Health and Medical Humanities, University of Sydney, and President of the Arts Health Network NSW/ACT

• Julie Leask, Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney, and Visiting Professorial Fellow, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance

• Brent Mackie, Director Policy, Strategy and Research at ACON

• Bernadette Saunders, Associate Professor in Life Sciences (Cellular Immonology) and Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases Group Head, University of Technology Sydney

• Susana Vaz Nery, Professor at Kirby Institute UNSW, and Neglected Tropical Diseases research group lead

• Jane Williams, Research Fellow (public health ethics), University of Wollongong

• Facilitator Philippa Nicole Barr, ANU and Western Sydney University

While the public responses to prescient threats like COVID-19, Zika, and monkeypox capture immediate attention and resources, endemic diseases with substantial global health impact often do not incite a similar emotional urgency. Specific, acute crises may evoke stronger responses than statistical, chronic threats. Notwithstanding their long histories and high mortality rates, infectious diseases such as TB, HIV and malaria often lack the attention given to diseases like COVID-19, reducing their visibility and the urgency of interventions. At the same time, a transforming climate may impact the spread and distribution of both novel and endemic diseases, producing new circumstances of response. This interdisciplinary roundtable, part of History Week and run by History Council NSW, will explore how we can think about lessons learned from historically important diseases to create more effective and adaptive strategies for present and future health crises.

Our event is supported by the Australia New Zealand Society for the History of Medicine (NSW) and the Australian Health and Medical Humanities Network. Our event venue partner is the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts (SMSA).

Ticket Cost: 

In person: $10.00 general admittance, or free for Members of SMSA

Online: Free, zoom link will be sent with registration confirmation.

Event Contact: Amanda Wells programs@historycouncilnsw.org.au

Who are our speakers?

Professor Edward Holmes

Professor Edward Holmes, an NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Professor of Virology at the University of Sydney, is renowned for his research on the evolution and emergence of infectious diseases, including how RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza cross species barriers. His career includes roles such as the Verne M. Willaman Chair in Life Sciences at Pennsylvania State University and recognition with awards like the 2021 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and the 2023 Croonian Medal from The Royal Society for significant contributions to virology.

Associate Professor Claire Hooker 

Associate Professor Claire Hooker, based at Sydney Health Ethics and President of the Arts Health Network NSW/ACT, specialises in health and medical humanities with a focus on risk communication and the intersection of creative arts and health, employing innovative methods to enhance ethical health communication and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her extensive research, which includes four books and over fifty peer-reviewed articles, addresses diverse topics such as empathy in infection control and the humanistic aspects of medical practice, significantly influencing contemporary discussions on infectious disease management and the role of arts in health.

Professor Julie Leask

Professor Julie Leask AO, a distinguished social scientist at the University of Sydney, co-leads the Social and Behavioural Insights research group in the School of Public Health and Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute. She focuses on the social and behavioural aspects of vaccination, aiming to enhance vaccine uptake and public confidence through her research on communication and policy. Recognized internationally, she holds an NHMRC Investigator Leadership Fellowship, has contributed to major global health organisations such as WHO and UNICEF, and was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in 2024 for her significant contributions to public health and vaccination policy.

Brent Mackie

During his more than 35-year career, Brent Mackie’s work has included communications, media and social marketing, management, population health, social research, and policy and program development. Brent has worked in numerous senior leadership roles in both government and non-government organisations. Brent has a Master of Arts by Research in Health and Sexuality as well as degrees in sociology and communications. Brent has extensive experience in health research and is a passionate LGBTQ community advocate. Brent has also, over many decades, volunteered for LGBTQ community groups, including groups that care for and supported people living with HIV/AIDS during the early years of the HIV pandemic.

Associate Professor Bernadette Saunders

Associate Professor Bernadette Saunders is a cellular immunologist specialising in infectious diseases at UTS, focusing on the immune response and inflammation control, with key projects on developing diagnostics and treatments for tuberculosis, mycobacterial diseases, and rare lung cancer LAM using innovative methods like microRNA and organoids. Her extensive research includes collaborating on the development and testing of biomarkers of TB disease, investigating how macrophages respond to pathogens and testing new treatments and vaccines to improve understanding and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Professor Susana Vaz Nery

Professor Susana Vaz Nery, who leads the Neglected Tropical Diseases research group at the Kirby Institute, UNSW, combines a rich background in biochemistry, neurosciences, and health policy with extensive field experience in tropical diseases from Africa to Timor-Leste, focusing on intervention studies to inform health policy changes. Her illustrious career includes significant roles in malaria research and control, managing large scientific teams in Angola, and driving research funded by prestigious organisations like the NHMRC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr Jane Williams

Dr. Jane Williams, currently at the Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values at the University of Wollongong, specialises in public health ethics with a focus on infectious disease emergencies, vaccination, and screening, utilising her training in public health, bioethics, and qualitative research to conduct empirical bioethics studies. Prior to her role at ACHEEV, she was a researcher at Sydney Health Ethics at the University of Sydney, where she developed a deep understanding of ethical considerations in healthcare practices.

Image credit: PHOTO/IMAGE CREDIT – HCNSW with Canva Pro.

History Week Banner: Graphic Design by Isabella Brown @ https://isabellabrown.co/Home

History Week is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.