Radiography from the other side of the world – lessons from the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 2026 Conference
Attendees from this years’ flagship ASMIRT event in Australia recap its stacked programme
By Ben Potts, Charlotte Beardmore, Sally Kincaid, Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd
By Ben Potts, Charlotte Beardmore, Sally Kincaid, Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd
Ben Potts, Diagnostic Radiographer at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and PhD researcher at the CRRAG Research Group, City St George’s, University of London
The Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) invited me to its annual conference to present on neurodiversity, a subject I have spent several years working on as a student radiographer and now as a PhD researcher, and one I approach as an autistic, ADHD and dyslexic person myself. Being asked to bring that work to an international stage was an honour and a privilege, and I am genuinely grateful to ASMIRT for the invitation.
This year’s conference was held in Hobart, on the island of Tasmania, on 26-29 March, focused on the central theme ‘Nagivate the wilderness: listen, adapt, discover.’
Over the three days, I presented on three distinct but connected topics. The first explored the evidence behind my PhD research, conducted at City St George’s, University of London. I spoke of the healthcare inequalities that autistic and ADHD adults face in emergency departments, where sensory environments, communication demands and procedural uncertainty create barriers for a population already more likely to experience poor health outcomes.
The second drew on the work of SSHINE, a student-led initiative I helped found that explores how healthcare education can better support neurodivergent learners in clinical settings.
The third addressed the research methods at the heart of my doctoral work, developed with the support of my supervisors, Dr Christina Malamateniou and Dr Themis Karaminis, advisers Dr Emily Skelton and Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou and the NEEDs co-researcher team. My approach places people with lived experience at the centre as co-researchers rather than subjects.
Ben during his session at ASMIRT
Ben during his session at ASMIRT
My first talk sat within an entire session dedicated to the experiences of neurodivergent patients and neurodivergent radiographers, which I was genuinely moved to see. Both topics, I feel, do not always receive the platform they deserve; here, they were treated as a mainstream priority rather than a niche area of practice. Away from the lecture theatre, the evidence of that reach came in the form of the many delegates who approached me between sessions and at the social events to share their experiences of neurodivergence. This never ceases to be a source of joy for me, and it is a reminder of how much representation and visibility are still needed in this area. I also recorded an episode of ASMIRT’s RadPod podcast with Steve Lacey, which was an absolute pleasure.
Having attended many conferences over recent years, I should say they are not straightforward environments for neurodivergent people, for reasons that echo those in clinical settings. The sensory intensity, the social demands and a pace that rarely pauses are challenges that do not disappear whether you are a first-time delegate or an invited international speaker. What did help in Australia was a small group of us quietly finding each other and forming a little neurodivergent support team across the week, offering understanding and a place of solace. I was lucky to have people go above and beyond for me, and it was the part of the conference I will carry longest.
ASMIRT reminded me that radiography is recognisably the same profession on the other side of the world. The challenges are familiar, the values shared, and the goal of providing the best possible care for patients reaches across timezones. Seeing how other countries approach those shared problems opens your mind to new solutions; sometimes an international perspective helps you see your own practice a little more clearly.
Charlotte Beardmore, executive director of professional policy at the SoR
I had the privilege of attending the ASMIRT Conference in Hobart, Tasmania, representing UK radiography at one of the profession’s most influential international gatherings on the other side of the world. It was an energising opportunity to share UK practice and policy leadership, while learning alongside radiographers, educators and leaders from across the global.
Travelling with UK colleagues Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd and Ben Potts made the experience particularly rewarding. Their excellent presentations showcased the strength and impact of UK radiography research and were met with genuine interest from international delegates, reinforcing the UK’s strong reputation for leadership in education, research and professional practice.
Charlotte presented a number of sessions at ASMIRT on impact of the Society and College of Radiographers’ Patient Advisory Group and more
Charlotte presented a number of sessions at ASMIRT on impact of the Society and College of Radiographers’ Patient Advisory Group and more
The conference provided a valuable space for collaboration and connection. Meetings with radiographers from within clinical, education, research and leadership roles enabled everyone to learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing the profession. I also met with the ASMIRT board, former presidents and senior leaders from across the world, which prompted rich discussions about the future direction of the profession, the importance of research leadership and how we collectively influence policymakers and the public about the vital role of radiographers.
My contributions focused on the impact of the Society and College of Radiographers’ Patient Advisory Group, progress in advanced practice in the UK and the success of the QSI and Quality Mark Scheme delivered with the Royal College of Radiologists. The level of engagement from delegates highlighted the global relevance of this work. I was also delighted to contribute to the RadPod podcast in a discussion led by Steve Lacey, reflecting on the importance of patient voice and the continued significance of ‘Hello, my name is’ in shaping compassionate, everyday practice.
We look forward to welcoming Sally Kincaid, CEO of ASMIRT, Steve Lacey and the ASMIRT president to UKIO in June, an excellent opportunity to reconnect, build new relationships and continue learning together as a global profession.
(From left) Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd, Ben Potts, Sharon Ponniah and Emily Ross at ASMIRT 2026
(From left) Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd, Ben Potts, Sharon Ponniah and Emily Ross at ASMIRT 2026
Sally Kincaid, CEO of ASMIRT
It was a true pleasure to host several of our colleagues from the UK and SoR at this event, the highlight of the medical radiation practictioner (MRP) calendar in Australia. Australian MRPs have a lot to learn from our overseas peers, and it was particularly gratifying that so many could attend.
The theme of the conference was, fittingly for the location, ‘Navigate the wilderness’. It resonated throughout the programme and opened the door to some extremely moving, insightful and educational presentations on navigating the tricky waters of diversity in all its forms: neuro, gender and disability to name a few. Ben Potts and associate professor Jane Harvey-Lloyd joined with several of our local speakers in a most moving session on the opening day, looking at the challenges faced by ADHD and autistic adults in emergency care, and the experience of parents of autistic children.
Sally Kincaid is CEO of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Sally Kincaid is CEO of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Charlotte Beardmore presented on a broad range of topics that support and inform much of the work ASMIRT is currently undertaking, most notably advanced practice, which seems to be slow gaining widespread traction in the Australian setting.
As one would expect, the theme and location also prompted delegates to look at the particular challenges for MRPs working in some of the more remote locations around Australia.
Jane presenting during ASMIRT 2026
Jane presenting during ASMIRT 2026
Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd, associate professor in diagnostic radiography at the University of Leeds
I was both humbled and honoured to be invited as a keynote speaker at the ASMIRT Conference in the wonderful setting of Hobart, Tasmania. The central theme of the conference was ‘Navigate the wilderness: listen, adapt, discover’, which really resonated with the way in which I approach my practice, and I am extremely grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing event.
My first day began with delivering a workshop alongside Megan Brydon, the previous president of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT), whom I was fortunate to meet at CAMRT 2024 in St John, New Brunswick, Canada. Together we covered the topic of ‘The Art of Making: Creative Salve for Reflection and Emotional Wellbeing for Healthcare Professionals’. In this workshop, we introduced the audience to three creative ways they can deal with the emotional burden and caring cost of being a radiographer. By introducing theme boarding, prompt-based writing and junk journalling, participants were given the opportunity to try these methods at the workshop. By creating a safe environment, we were then able to discuss how they felt about using these methods to underpin their reflective practice. This was followed by a conversation with Steve Lacey on ASMIRT’s RadPost podcast on how we intend to expand this work in the future.
The next three days were exceptionally busy as I delivered three talks exploring autistic children and their parents’ experience of X-ray imaging, preceptorship and preparing students for placement. It was an absolute pleasure and honour to deliver my first talk within a session entirely devoted to neurodiversity, from both a patient and radiographer perspective. It is the first conference that I have been to where this has been at the forefront, and watching the other three speakers in this session share their experiences of neurodiversity was inspirational. I felt proud to be an ally and to be able to share my own research within this area.
In undertaking my PhD entitled ‘Being and Becoming a Diagnostic Radiographer’, I developed an in-depth understanding of student-to-practitioner transition and preceptorship in combination with my passion for coaching. Sharing my insights into this journey with first-hand experiences, I was able to challenge the often commonly used approach to preceptorship, which overlooks the individualised approach needed for a successful transition to take place. This prompted some interesting debate.
Finally, I spoke about a live streaming platform known as Virtual Clinical Experience, used at the University of Leeds to prepare students for placement. The discussions were a reminder that as educators and practitioners, we are all facing the same challenges wherever we are and, ultimately, we are all chasing the same goals. There was definitely the potential of some joint research discussed, which is an exciting prospect.
Charlotte Beardmore and Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd
Charlotte Beardmore and Dr Jane Harvey-Lloyd
ASMIRT was a conference full of energy and hope for the profession, rarely experienced at other conferences. The chance to network with others and share your hopes, dreams and values should never be underestimated. I came away full of optimism for the future of our profession and how important it is to share international perspectives to ensure both personal and professional growth.
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