MUARC Launches Research Node in Prato
The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has established a satellite node at the Monash University Prato Centre in Italy . MUARC Europe was launched at a ceremony at the Monash Prato Centre in November 2008 by the President of the Regione Toscana, Claudio Martini. A number of key international guests, including the Australian Ambassador to Italy Amanda Vanstone, attended the launch.
Associate Director of MUARC Prato, Professor Brian Fildes said partnerships with local and European individuals and groups would be critical for the success of MUARC Europe. "We have already approached a number of universities and researchers in Italy and other European countries to form agreements for collaborative work to address the global problem of injury," Professor Fildes said.
Activities Planned for MUARC Europe
The Prato node will focus on research in injury causation and prevention across Europe , as well as teaching programs and community engagement.
1. Research
MUARC has a long history of undertaking safety research in all forms of daily activity including safety on the road, safety in the workplace, safety at home, school and in sporting events and in prevention trauma generally. Much of this research has been internationally based and implemented for the benefit of the community. MUARC Europe aims to working diligently at applying its research expertise to safety problems in Italy and Europe to benefit all citizens in the region .
Research is expected to tackle major issues in road and workplace safety in Italy and throughout Europe using a scientific evidence-based approach. Data will be fundamental in identifying and addressing safety problems and the identification of effective best-practice and innovative solutions to these problems will be an important part of the research effort.
2. Teaching and Education
Educating the community in safety work, travel and leisure activities is fundamental for improving safety. This requires people in industry, government and community leaders to show the way for its citizens to embrace. MUARC Europe will undertake training courses in best safety practices for professionals, employees and students to help improve safety knowledge and safe behaviour among the whole community.
Early initiatives in this area include short training courses in biomechanics and vehicle safety for European industries, as well as formal university units in trauma prevention and compensation for undergraduate and graduate students in road safety.
3. Working with the Local Community
MUARC's expertise over the last 20 years has been most valuable in working with local communities on solving their safety problems. This approach will be adopted here in Italy and throughout Europe to help those responsible for improving safety to achieve their goals. MUARC has long recognised that to be most beneficial, it must work to ensure its research knowledge is applied to new and innovative safety initiatives.
To help foster this, discussions have already been held with the local Prato Commune and in Florence on ways in which MUARC Europe can assist in addressing local safety issues on the road and in the workplace. The adoption of a strategic approach is critical in optimising the benefits of safety improvements for the community at large.
4. Collaboration
Fundamental to all these objectives is the need to work collaboratively with local research and implementation organisations. Experience has shown that working in partnership with local organisations is the most effective means of bringing those with particular expertise together to tackle specific safety problems. This has lead to the introduction of new innovative approaches to safety of benefit to all citizens.
To date, collaborative agreements have been made with European research organisations in France , Great Britain , and the Netherlands , and agreements are currently under negotiation in Italy , Sweden and Germany too. MUARC also has collaborative agreements with other countries such as the USA and the Middle East .
To help ensure MUARC Europe is focussed on critical issues in Europe, a Research Advisory Committee comprising prominent European and Australian experts is to be formed to help guide the direction of research undertaken by MUARC in Europe .
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