Professor Catherine Sherrington.
Every year, more than 135,000 Australians aged 65 and above are admitted to hospitals due to fall-related injuries. Professor Catherine Sherrington, internationally acclaimed for her pioneering work in developing methods to prevent falls and enhance mobility, is addressing this pressing yet overlooked public health challenge associated with an ageing population.
Professor Sherrington’s work integrates physiotherapy, exercise prescription and digital technology to improve outcomes for both patients and the broader community. With falls costing $2.3 billion in Australia each year, her programs have proven to be an important cost-effective solution.
Professor Emma Johnston, the University of Sydney’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), congratulated Professor Sherrington on her award.
“Catherine’s research around the promotion of physical activity in older people and the prevention of falls has been profoundly impactful. Her work has influenced global practice, including recommendations from the World Health Organisation in over 127 clinical and population health guidelines from 26 countries,” she said.
Professor Sherrington's remarkable contributions position her as the fourth-ranked researcher globally in the independent living/falls field (Scopus), boasting an impressive publication record.
Professor Sherrington is a Professor and Senior Principal Research Fellow at the University of Sydney and is a member of the Charles Perkins Centre.