28 April 2025
Research and Clinical Translation Manager Benedette (Bene) Watson is passionate about partnerships in health and medical research, and her career revolves around supporting their momentum.
“Scientific research is a team sport,” Bene said. “It takes a collaborative effort from many people, with unique roles and expertise, to make progress and solve complex health problems.
“While we often see one researcher in the media headlines, they are like the team captain. No single person can tackle the complexity of health and disease alone. It takes teamwork—sharing knowledge, skills, and insights across disciplines and even across countries.”
Science has been a driver in Bene’s life since high school. After studying science, she spent 10 years in research and completed a master’s in molecular biology at the University of Southern Queensland. Bene tutored science and medical students at St George’s University, Grenada, when her husband’s work took them to the Caribbean. When the family drew them back to Australia, Bene transitioned into research support.
Her current role at the Translational Research Institute is multifaceted, spanning clinician and researcher engagement, consumer and community involvement (CCI) and community outreach. Through CCI, Bene connected with Health Translation Queensland (HTQ).
“I was involved with the early discussions about HTQ’s Mental Health Collaborative Group and then was one of the first members to form the CCI in Research Alliance, which is led by HTQ. I’m now the Chair of this collaborative group.
“We had been having similar conversations about involving health consumers in research for years and how to remove the duplication of effort when everyone is tackling it individually.
“This collaborative group displays what partnerships – or teamwork – in science can achieve. We support researchers within our organisations and provide mentoring and peer support within this professional network.
“More than ever, researchers must consider the whole team, all stakeholders – from clinicians to patients to policymakers. While the NHMRC and MRFF do not mandate CCI, it is heavily encouraged, and the health consumers on the panel emphasise the requirement of genuine consumer involvement in their grant assessments.
“We still have work to educate our research workforce – while some are doing CCI well, it’s not quite business as usual for all. Our goal is for CCI to be front of mind. In the future, I think we will see it embedded early in research protocols and part of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
“HTQ’s CCI in Research Alliance is the only network of its type in Queensland, so it’s rewarding to see it recognised by the industry, such as the 2023 Women in Technology Award, and expanding beyond the HTQ partners to include others across Queensland.
“The real win here is that by involving health consumers and communities in shaping research priorities and trials, we achieve something greater together for the benefit of all.”
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