2008 Events Roundup
Please note that summaries of the events towards the end of 2008 will be put up on the new version of the website which will be completed early 2009
6th August: Informal Session with Prof. David Faust
The NSS was excited to have the opportunity to host Professor David Faust of the University of Rhode Island for a unique, informal session directed toward neuropsychology postgraduates on Wednesday evening, 6 August. Professor Faust spoke about the tendency for accumulating clinical experience to lead to overconfidence in the accuracy of one's clinical judgments, and provided practical tips for avoiding this outcome. He also emphasised the importance of using sound, scientifically validated psychometric measures to guide decision making in clinical practice. We anticipate receiving relevant references from Professor Faust in the near future (see the resources page soon!)
31st August: Student "Chat 'n' Chow"
To kick off the new semester the NSS organised a casual get-together which consisted largely of feasting on the myriad of cakes, cookies and nibblies brought in by NSS members. We were also able to discuss the upcoming NSS events and get feedback on what students wanted to see this semester. Thank-you to everyone who brought in food for this event. As hard working Neuropsychology students, it was not surprising there was very little food left!
14th May: Bedside Neuropsychology Workshop
There was so much interest in the Bedside Neuropsychology Workshop that the NSS were forced to move to a venue
double the size! More than 80 students and clinicians from institutions around Melbourne attended the
informative (and entertaining!) workshop run by Dr. David Darby and Dr. Tracey Wardill. The benefits and
limitations of bedside assessment were described within the context of a simplified model of cognition. The
importance of including all aspects of the neuropsychological assessment, including history taking, observation,
and testing, were also emphasised with a case presentation. The workshop highlighted the importance of working from a
model of cognition when examining clients and importantly emphasised the role of Neuropsychologists (given our
specialized understanding) in training individuals from other professions to use these cognitive models in their own
practice. Some interesting discussion was raised among the audience about the potential problems that are faced by
Neuropsychologists when working with colleagues from other disciplines. In response to this however, the co-disciplinary
Neurologist (Dr Darby) and Neuropsychologist (Dr Wardell) team were able to provide some practical solutions to these sometimes
awkward situations. In all, this workshop was yet another successful event! Click the pictures from the night below and
also see the References page for handouts that accompanied the workshop.
23th April: 2nd Annual NSS "Beers 'n Brains" Pub Discussion
Our 2nd "Beers 'n Brains" Pub Discussion at Birra Bella in Carlton proved to be
yet another great evening! Internationally renowned neurologist Dr. Peter Bladin (pictured right)
inspired and entertained an audience of 43 clinical neuropsychology postgraduate students from
across Melbourne, delivering historically-grounded anecdotes and affirmation of our value as
professionals capable of bridging a number of clinical specialities. Attendees from the University
of Melbourne, Monash University, and La Trobe University also enjoyed the rare opportunity to
gather together, learn more about each other's clinical and research interests, and simply
enjoy an evening spent with like-minded individuals in a relaxed and social atmosphere. We look
forward to continuing the pub night tradition in 2009! Click on the pics for larger images
(sorry about the blurriness!)
28th February: Sounding in the new year
The NSS began 2008 with a social drinks evening at Deep Dish Postgraduate bar at the University of Melbourne. Whilst this event was a great way for the old-timer NSS members to catch up and prepare for the upcoming year, it was also an important event for the newly arriving first year students. The NSS happily welcomed the 2008 entrants Alice Burnett, Loretta Greco, Claire Lee, Renee Lichter, Dawn Merrett, Simon Scalzo, Shannon Scratch, Chris Tailby and Edmund Tsang to the wonderful world of Neuropsychology! Over a few drinks, we were able to learn about the varied backgrounds of the new arrivals and share tips about how to prepare for the year. Attended by both NSS members and new students from the Clinical and Child streams, it was another successful NSS event!