Advancing Health Research Through Consumer and Community Leadership
10 Sep 2025
Christine Edwards, a consumer advocate, is committed to using lived experience to guide health research for real-world impact. She recently reflected on the important role of consumers and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) during its 10-year anniversary celebrations.
Christine Edwards is a consumer advocate dedicated to making health research more meaningful by including the perspectives of people with lived experience. She believes consumers bring unique insight into the health system, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. “Consumer involvement brings medical research into the real lives of real people,” she says.
Focusing on community and equity
Throughout her career, Christine has worked to improve health systems and promote equity. She says, “Good health and access to services are key to a good quality of life, but not everyone experiences them equally. Social determinants of health can unfairly impact individuals and communities, and I want to change that.”
Christine has worked across Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania in health administration, managing community, hospital, and aged care services. She particularly recalls her experience managing community services in remote areas of Western Australia, where she saw both the challenges and resilience of people living in isolated regions. She has also led philanthropic initiatives and served on boards of health and medical research organisations. Today, she represents the community on national health and medical research bodies.
MRFF: Enabling research with real-world impact
Christine first became aware of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) while serving on the board of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). She saw how MRFF grants supported critical research, including gene therapy for retinal disease, with the potential to restore vision and improve quality of life.
“The MRFF changes lives, from rare diseases like mitochondrial disorders to common cancers,” Christine says. “It’s only through research investments that focus on collaboration, translation, and community engagement that we can find real answers.” She hopes the MRFF continues to lead innovation by identifying knowledge gaps, enabling researchers, and creating opportunities to develop new treatments and cures.
Bringing lived experience into decision-making
Christine is part of the inaugural MRFF and National Health and Medical Research Council Consumer Advisory Group, which provides government guidance on health and medical research priorities. Members offer a “real-world” perspective that ensures consumer interests are considered in research planning.
She encourages other consumers to get involved. “There are many ways to contribute. I found it helpful to connect with the Consumers Health Forum of Australia and to speak with experienced community representatives to understand how I could contribute effectively. It’s a complex role, but it offers valuable learning opportunities and the chance to work in supportive, multidisciplinary teams.”
Christine’s work highlights the important role consumers play in shaping health research, ensuring it delivers meaningful outcomes for real people.
(Source: RACGP)
