This year, the Annual Diagnostics and Surveillance Workshop (ADSW) was held from 30th August to 1st September in Melbourne. The theme of the hybrid workshop was “Surveillance and Diagnostics- integrated to inspire and innovate” and the program had three subthemes

Subtheme 1:      Integration and innovation: cases and opportunities for bringing elements of the biosecurity system together

Subtheme 2:      Inspiration and discovery of the new

Subtheme 3:      National surveillance program updates

The workshop was facilitated by PHA and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as a part of the “National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics and Surveillance Professional Development and Protocols” projects.

ADSW Highlights

  • 45 abstracts received
  • 132 participants in person
  • 69 participants (virtual)
  • 7 workshops (training, side meetings) – 29 and 30th August; 1st and 2nd September
  • 9 sessions
  • 9 guest speakers
  • 4 panel discussions
  • Diagnostic and Surveillance Residential updates
  • Student session (first ever)
  • Trade show (latest technologies on display)
  • Networking socialising event

The ADSW was remarkably successful with initial feedback indicating that more joint diagnostics and surveillance workshop should be held, inclusion of a field trip, panel discussions and training workshops be considered for future workshops.