Frontiers 2025: The Art, Science and Future of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) is heading to Hobart in November and features an exceptional line-up of 21 speakers.
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons will have unbridled access to clinical and academic leaders in the field in the inclusive environment of Frontiers 2025 conference in Tasmania.
The biennial conference, presented by the Passe & Williams Foundation, will be at Hobart’s Hotel Grand Chancellor from 13-15 November. The gathering of practitioners and scientists to explore the latest research and address emerging clinical needs in the field aims to foster meaningful collaboration across the ENT community, challenging and inspiring specialists in Australia and New Zealand to connect and drive future direction of the medical specialty.
A poster session, with short pitches on stage, conference dinner and welcome function also offer valuable networking opportunities.
Frontiers started in 1998 and welcomes delegates from all over the world including surgeons, scientists, engineers, nurses, students, audiologists and other allied health professionals committed to advancing otolaryngology head and neck surgery (OHNS).
Sparking ideas and a single session format
Dr Jeanette Pritchard, the foundation’s CEO, says Frontiers was born from the bold idea that “by bringing clinicians and scientists together in the right environment, we could unlock new possibilities for ENT”.
“It’s never been about simply presenting research; it’s about sparking ideas, challenging assumptions, and shaping the future of our specialty,” she adds.
“Over time, that’s evolved into a meeting of minds, driven by curiosity, fuelled by collaboration, and deeply committed to improving lives.”
The single-session format creates a focused, inclusive environment where everyone shares the same experience, she says. “We find this accelerates important conversations.
“What makes Frontiers special is how open and welcoming it is. This is the place to introduce yourself to clinical and academic leaders in our field, and they’ll make time for you. The connections you make here and the conversations you have will stay with you for decades.”
Co-convenor and foundation chair, Professor William Coman, says the conference offers a space where delegates can connect, explore new opportunities, and turn discussions into real progress.
“You will leave genuinely inspired, you’ll hear something that shifts your thinking, meet someone who opens a new door, and walk away feeling part of something bigger. Whatever career stage you’re at, you’ll get more out of this than you expect,” he adds.
Prof Coman says many delegates have attended big meetings like the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery’s annual scientific meeting and others globally, which are appropriately tailored for their surgical membership.
“They then come to Frontiers to connect with scientists, engineers and allied health practitioners working in the field, eager to influence research directions for positive clinical outcomes,” he says.
Co-convenor and board chair, Dr Michael Jay, says the 2025 event marks an exciting chapter, being its first time in Hobart, and with a bold, future-focused program. This includes the inaugural Colin Richards & Peter Freeman Lecture in honour of the foundation’s first Trustees, whose leadership and originality changed the nature of ENT outcomes in Australia and New Zealand. Professor John Funder, the foundation’s longest-serving board director who was instrumental in establishing the conference format, will present the lecture.
“One of the real strengths of Frontiers is the way it brings people together across disciplines,” Dr Jay says. “That mix of expertise creates unexpected connections and often leads to breakthroughs you just wouldn’t get in a more siloed environment.
“All speakers are invitation-only and we carefully curate the single stream program based on the evolving challenges of ENT. We’re always looking to bring in diverse voices and expertise. This year we’ve invited three incredible keynotes from the UK, USA and Canada, who will present across both days.
“Charles Limb’s work uncovers the fascinating ways our brains create and respond to sound and music. He will touch on one theme – quality of life.”
Voice, music and transformation
Other themes are voice and transformation. Keynotes are Dr Limb (University of California, San Francisco), Dr Karen Kost (McGill University, Canada), and Professor Mahmood Bhutta (Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK).
Other sessions include the latest research from early-mid career researchers, and a panel discussion on mentoring and gatekeeping.
There will be presentations on ear health in low-resource settings, the patient perspective, dementia and hearing, tinnitus, leadership in research, and more.
Dr Pritchard says the art of ENT theme will explore ideas around music and the voice, and how these are critical when considering quality of life for those impacted by ENT conditions.
“Charles and Karen will bring their global experience to this discussion, which is sure to be inspirational, and Mahmood will challenge the status quo in pushing for sustainability in healthcare and changing the way we deliver healthcare in rural, remote and developing economies,” she says. “It’s the kind of bold thinking we love at Frontiers.”
The conference is also welcoming sponsor partnerships for the first time.
*For more information and to register visit Frontiers 2025.
Images: Passe & Williams Foundation.
