On International Women’s Day 8 March 2024, A/Prof Lucy Burr received the first Prof Christine Jenkins AM Woman of Influence in Lung Health Award from Lung Foundation Australia. A/Prof Lucy Burr was recognised for her contributions to the field of lung health through clinical endeavours, research pursuits, mentorship initiatives and leadership roles.
As the first International Women’s Day event held by Lung Foundation Australia, we aimed to highlight the important contributions of influential women in the lung health and research community. The day’s theme: ‘Inhale Inspiration. Exhale empowerment’ symbolises Lung Foundation Australia’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the influential women in the lung health sector.
Lung Foundation Australia’s generous sponsors supported the event, who we thank for celebrating and championing the remarkable women shaping lung health. The Prof Christine Jenkins AM Woman of Influence in Lung Health Award constitutes a $10,000 professional development grant.
The event also shared three inspiring speakers who have made strides in the lung health industry. These included Lung Foundation Australia Chair Prof Lucy Morgan, Lung Foundation Australia Consumer Advocate Tania Hyde and 4DMedical Chair Lil Bianchi.
A/Prof Lucy Burr is a respiratory physician based at the Mater Hospital Brisbane. She also serves as the new chair of the Australasian Bronchiectasis Consortium (ABC). Additionally, she is the deputy head of the medical school at the University of Queensland.
Lung Foundation Australia caught up with A/Prof Burr for her input about the importance of valuable research, how to manage research and family, and what advice she has for other female researchers.
As a very busy clinician and researcher what advise do you have for early and mid-career researchers?
I have three pieces of advice. Number one: As a clinician collaborating in the research space, don’t undervalue your clinical role and experience. You bring a wealth of clinical experience into the research sphere. And even if you don’t have enough time yourself to be doing the research, your input is incredibly valuable.
Number two: Work on your priorities. You can do it all! but not all at once. You can be a mum, you can be a researcher, you can be a clinician. But not all at the same time. You need to prioritise what’s important to you.
My third piece of advice is: self care. You’ve got to look after yourself. Make sure you’ve got really strong boundaries and ensure you prioritise yourself and your self-care.
What would you say to our partners and donors that have supported your Woman of Influence in Lung Health Award?
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Without your support, none of this would be possible. And not just me personally, but everything that the Lung Foundation Australia does. This includes their support of the Australasian Bronchiectasis Consortium and the Australian bronchiectasis registry. We couldn’t do it without our partners and sponsors. So thank you. Thank you, thank you. Keep, keep supporting us. We’re doing great work.
You have a particular interest in bronchiectasis and were recently appointed Chairperson of the Australian Bronchiectasis Consortium of which the registry is important. Why is the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry (ABR) important to research?
All registries are so valuable to research. This is where all the information about bronchiectasis in Australia sits. So we’ve got a huge registry covering not only adult but, uniquely, paediatric participants, which no other global site does.
That wealth of data is going to help us track progress, to be able to look at the effectiveness of interventions and also to advocate for better health outcomes for our patients. So the registry is really, really important and it is backed up by the fantastic Australasian Bronchiectasis Consortium, which is a consortium of bronchiectasis specialists – engaged people who are top of their field – who are driving the work of the registry.
What’s happening in the future that you are working on?
We will continue to improve and expand the consortium and registry with the aim of delivering better outcomes for adults and children living with bronchiectasis. Excitedly, Australia will host the World Bronchiectasis Conference (WBC) in 2025. WBC is a global conference and will be held for the first time in Asia Pacific in Brisbane, Queensland. Three ABC members are on the steering committee for this conference (including myself) and is supported by the Lung Foundation Australia. This will be a phenomenal event bringing global superstars to Australia to advance the collaboration and knowledge in bronchiectasis care. So save the date and watch this space!
Research offers hope, whether for a cure or for an improvement in quality of life. With money raised through the generosity of organisations and the community, our Research Program provides seed funds for research projects and acts as a vehicle for collaboration with leading Australian researchers seeking to answer complex research questions in lung disease and lung cancer.
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