Presenters
Dave Nicholls
Keynote address: Is rainfall a therapist? Challenging seven axioms of the physical therapies.
Dave Nicholls is a Professor of Critical Physiotherapy in the School of Clinical Sciences at AUT University in Auckland, New Zealand. He is a physiotherapist, lecturer, researcher and writer, with a passion for critical thinking in and around the physical therapies.
Dave is the founder of the Critical Physiotherapy Network (CPN), an organisation that promotes the use of cultural studies, education, history, philosophy, sociology, and a range of other disciplines in the study of the physiotherapy profession's past, present and future. He is also co-founder of the International Physiotherapy History Association (IPHA) Executive, and founding Executive member of the Environmental Physiotherapy Association (EPA).
Dave's own research work focuses on the philosophy, sociology, and critical history of physiotherapy, and considers how physiotherapy might need to adapt to the changing economy of health care in the 21st century. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, many as first author. His first book, The End of Physiotherapy (Routledge, 2017), was the first book-length critical history of the profession. A second sole-authored book, Physiotherapy Otherwise was published in early 2022 as a free eBook.
He was co-editor on the first collection of critical physiotherapy writings, Manipulating Practices (Cappelen Damm, 2018), and was the lead editor for the follow-up, Mobilising Knowledge (Routledge, 2020). He is also very active on social media, writing weekly on contemporary critical physiotherapy issues. In early 2023 he established a new site specialising in post-critical healthcare.
Dave has taught in physiotherapy programmes in the UK and New Zealand for over 30 years and has presented his work around the world.
Ann Blair Kennedy
Plenary presentation: From tradition to evidence: the evolution of massage therapy research
Ann Blair Kennedy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville and Director of the Patient Engagement Studio. A licensed massage therapist since 1999, she brings a unique perspective that bridges clinical practice, public health, and research. Her work focuses on patient and stakeholder engagement in research and whole-person health approaches, including massage therapy and integrative care.
Dr Kennedy previously served as Executive Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and has contributed extensively to advancing the research culture of the massage therapy profession. Through her research, publications, and international collaborations, she works to strengthen the connection between massage therapy practice, scientific evidence, and healthcare systems.
Sarah Fogarty
Plenary Presentation: From tradition to evidence: the evolution of massage therapy research
Sarah holds a Diploma of Remedial Massage and has been in practice as a remedial massage therapist and acupuncturist for over 25 years. She currently works in a clinic with a women's health focus. She completed her Masters in 2005 and in 2011 was awarded her PhD from the Department of Health Sciences at Victoria University, Australia. She is an adjunct fellow at Western Sydney University, and has published over 40 papers, including papers on pregnancy massage, massage and miscarriage, bereavement massage, and fertility massage. She has presented her research at both national, international and local conferences and massage organisations.
Sarah was awarded a Massage Foundation Research Grant in 2022 for her research on pregnancy massage after stillbirth and is only the second recipient to be awarded the grant outside the United States. She is currently serving as an associate editor for the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Amanda Fincham
Plenary Presentation:The power of presence: how practitioner regulation influences client nervous systems
Amanda has worked as a massage therapist since graduating from Nature Care College in 2002 with a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy. Her practice has evolved over time to focus on nervous system regulation, incorporating craniosacral therapy into treatment. Her clinical work centres on supporting nervous system health in both adults and infants. She is particularly interested in the role of practitioner presence, therapeutic attunement and nervous system co-regulation.
Clare Carey
Plenary Presentation: More than a rub: the psychosocial impact of massage therapy
Clare is an experienced remedial massage therapist with over 18 years in the industry, including more than a decade working in elite sport. She has a strong interest in athlete wellbeing, psychological safety, and the integration of biopsychosocial approaches into practice. She is passionate about advancing the massage profession through reflective practice and advocating for more holistic, person-centred care.
Nicola Hogan
Plenary presentation: Tales from the table: what 25 years in massage practice has taught me about communication, confidence and client engagement
Nicola is a remedial massage therapist with 25 years of clinical experience, known for her thoughtful, client-centred approach and deep interest in the human dynamics beneath the touch. Her work is grounded in "tales from the table" - the patterns, conversations, and insights gained through hands-on practice. She has also supported therapists as a mentor in the AMT pilot mentoring program, trained and mentored staff in her clinical business Stress Less Bodyworks, and worked as an advisor through the government funded ASBAS program, helping practitioners with their digital marketing capability to communicate with clarity. Nicola writes regular articles on her Substack, Beneath the Touch.
Luke Troiani
Post-conference workshop: Exercise prescription and rehabilitation
Luke is the head clinician and co-director of Avia performance. He began his journey in 2011, opening his first single room clinic after graduating with a Bachelors in Health Science (Musculoskeletal Therapy). His thirst for knowledge and drive to be at the forefront of the industry saw him subsequently graduate with a Masters in Applied Science (Acupuncture).
Luke's unique blend of Western and Eastern medical knowledge and his passion to get people back to what they love to do is what informs his work. He is also passionate about educating and mentoring the next generation of therapists.
Vinay Srinivasan
Post-conference workshop: Exercise prescription and rehabilitation
Vinay is the head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Avia Performance. He holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, and is a Level 1 Powerlifting Coach and Level 1 accredited member of the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association.
His journey started when he was 19 years, working in a commercial gym. Realising that the best decision you can make is to invest in yourself, he completed a one-year internship based out of AAMI Park and was then offered a full-time role as a Strength and Conditioning Coach.
During the next few years, he gained experience with teams such as Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Storm, World Athletics Center and the Australian Basketball Company. He has worked with hundreds of athletes and has been heavily involved in strength sports such as powerlifting and field-based sports such as cricket, AFL and soccer.
Along with his passion for athletic development and strength sports, Vinay is interested in injury rehabilitation. He works alongside Luke with a variety of rehabilitation clients, ranging from pre and post operative injury rehab, chronic back pain, hip impingement and shoulder pain.