CSIRO PUBLISHING | Brain Impairment

This collection of Brain Impairment papers highlight the latest advances in collaboration, co-production, and co-design with people who have a brain impairment. It captures the 'state of the art' in research practices that prioritise authentic involvement, from the earliest stages of idea development through to study design and implementation. The collection showcases both the successes and challenges of inclusive approaches, emphasising their critical role in producing meaningful and impactful research outcomes. Contributions span a range of brain impairment aetiologies, including brain injury, stroke, and dementia, reflecting both the capacity and generosity of people with living experience in generating increased diversity and richness in research exploring rehabilitation practices.

Collection Editors
Melissa Brunner (The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences)
Michelle Bellon (Flinders University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Disability and Community Inclusion)

Last Updated: 29 Aug 2025

IB24136Disrupting hackathons: reflections on creating inclusive design events through collaboration

Peter Worthy

, Dennis Frost, Trevor Hunter, India Anderson, Tim Kastelle, Janet Wiles, Nancy A. Pachana and Jacki Liddle

Today’s world increasingly relies on technology, but not all groups can easily shape the tools they use. We explored a new type of collaborative online design event that allowed older adults and people living with neurological conditions to meaningfully contribute to technology development, unlike traditional hackathons. By finding ways to include meaningful contribution from people with diverse needs, we can help ensure future technologies truly meet everyone’s needs.

This article belongs to the collection: Collaboration, Co-production, & Co-design: Moving Ahead in Brain Impairment.

IB24128‘I think I’d get a lot out of something where my views count and I could help other people’ – co-designing a family project-based intervention with people with lived experience of traumatic brain injury

Lynn Grayson

, Marian C. Brady

, Leanne Togher and Myzoon Ali

Including people with lived experience of brain injury in the development of a new therapy can ensure the end-product meets the needs of future users more effectively. We worked with people with communication difficulties following traumatic brain injury, and their families, to co-design a family therapy. The people taking part gave positive feedback about being involved in the research and identified ways in which the therapy could be improved. For example, making the content person-centred and easy to understand.

This article belongs to the collection: Collaboration, Co-production, & Co-design: Moving Ahead in Brain Impairment.

IB24125Co-design and co-production of ‘Tools for ageing well with traumatic brain injury’

Christina L. Ekegren

, Candice McBain

, Libby Callaway

, Liz Gill, Grahame Simpson, Grainne Cruickshank, Mohit Arora and Ian D. Cameron

A white-haired, aged man pointing happily at an array of items above his head, which represent a healthy life.

Despite their complex health needs, there are limited targeted resources to assist people with traumatic brain injury to age well. This study used co-design and co-production methods within a five-stage design-thinking process to develop a new resource called ‘Tools for ageing well with traumatic brain injury’. This resource will help people with brain injury and their families/carers to proactively plan for ageing well with traumatic brain injury. Image credit Ingrid Hopper using adapted photograph by Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock.com.

This article belongs to the collection: Collaboration, Co-production, & Co-design: Moving Ahead in Brain Impairment.