Adventures of a disability advocate: learning through lived experience, practice, policy and research
Please join the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the 2023 Priscilla Kincaid-Smith Oration on Health, delivered by Keran Howe OAM, Independent Advisor to the National Disability Research Partnership and former Executive Director, Women with Disabilities Victoria.
In her address, Ms Howe will suggest the need for an understanding of multiple ways of knowing if we are to be effective in creating change in the way we view disability and address social inequity.
This annual Oration honours the life and work of Priscilla Kincaid-Smith AC CBE who was the first female professor at the University of Melbourne. Professor Kincaid-Smith was an internationally renowned specialist in kidney disease, a pioneering leader in research and clinical care, a fearless patient and public health advocate and a mentor to many.
More about Keran
Keran has a social work background and lived experience of disability. She has been a leader in health and disability over many years advising national and state governments on policy reform related to women’s health, violence prevention and the rights of people with disabilities. A Churchill Fellow, Keran has Chaired Women with Disabilities Australia and the Victorian Disability Advisory Council and Co-Chaired the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council. She is currently a member of the National Disability Research Partnership Working Party.
Her professional roles have included Manager of the Social Work Department, Royal Women’s Hospital and Executive Director, Women with Disabilities Victoria.
Keran has been awarded a Centenary Medal, the Lesley Hall Lifetime Achievement Award and the Order of Australia Medal for her work on behalf of people with disabilities and has been inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll for Women.
Keran continues to work for the human rights of people with disability as an advisor in related areas.
Professor Jane Gunn - Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Keran Howe OAM - Independent Advisor to the National Disability Research Partnership and former Executive Director, Women with Disabilities Victoria
Associate Professor Ada Cheung - Principal Research Fellow In Endocrinology, Medicine at Austin Health
