Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups
Connect with professionals who have a similar career focus.
SIG Task Force
As part of the implementation of ISOQOL’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan Engagement Goal to “Enable and support Special Interest Groups and other member groups to foster visibility, connections, and collaborations in addressing topics relevant to quality of life science,” ISOQOL is establishing a Regional Interest Group (RIG) Task Force and a SIG Task Force. The SIG task force is spearheaded by 3 members who participated in the Strategic Plan development process and the work of the task force will be divided amongst multiple working groups. We are currently calling for volunteers to join the working groups under the Special Interest Group Task force.
Volunteer with the SIG Task Force
The work of this Task Force will be divided amongst multiple working groups composed of SIG representatives. The groups and their goals are as follows:
Leadership Structure and Recruitment Working Group
This working group is tasked with developing best practices for SIGs to cultivate a leadership pipeline and strong leadership structure.
Eligibility:
- Past SIG leaders
- Current SIG leaders
- SIG founders
Proposal Procedure Development Working Group
This working group is tasked with reviewing and modifying SIG project proposal processes to be more efficient and consistent across programs.
Eligibility:
- SIG Members who have participated in at least one SIG project proposal
- Past and current SIG leaders who have overseen a project proposal
Engagement Best Practices Working Group
This working group is tasked with developing best practices for addressing ISOQOL member needs through recruitment and engagement practices within a SIG.
Eligibility:
- All SIG members, including long-term ISOQOL members and new ISOQOL members
- Current SIG Leaders
- Former SIG Leaders
If you are interested in joining one of these working groups, please email info@isoqol.org with the following information:
- Abbreviated CV (max 5 pages)
- A summary of your involvement with ISOQOL SIGs
Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) SIG
#ISOQOL_ANZ
This SIG fosters connections between local researchers in a geographically remote region of the world. We aim to support and prepare emerging researchers for international opportunities through collaborations, mentorships and other projects year-round.
Leadership
Past Chair
Melanie Hawkins, PhD
Swinburne University of Technology
Victoria, Australia
melaniehawkins@swin.edu.au
Chair
Jessica Roydhouse, PhD
University of Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia
jessica.roydhouse@utas.edu.au
Chair-Elect
Rachel Campbell, PhD
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia
r.campbell@sydney.edu.au
Secretary/Treasurer
Imogen Ramsey, PhD
University of South Australia
South Australia, Australia
imogen.ramsey@flinders.edu.au
Child Health SIG
#ISOQOL_ChildHealth
This SIG unites professionals who share a common interest in the quality of life of children. We are open to new and interesting ideas that will foster improvements in child health and across the transition into early adulthood.
Leadership
Past Chair
Sumedh Bele, MBBS MPH
Alberta, Canada
sumedh.bele@ucalgary.ca
Chair
Harpreet Chhina, PhD
University of British Columbia
British Columbia, Canada
chhina.harpreet@gmail.com
Chair-Elect
Christina Zigler, PhD, MSEd
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, North Carolina, United States
christina.zigler@duke.edu
Chinese PRO SIG
#ISOQOL_ChinesePRO
This SIG focuses on promoting research and education of PROs for the Chinese population by connecting with international efforts related to research and application of PROs. We facilitate networking for Chinese researches by supporting emerging researchers online, through collaborations, and at ISOQOL events.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Qiuling Shi, PhD
Chongqing Medical University
China
qshi@cqmu.edu.cn
Co-Chair
Wenjie Duan, PhD
East China University of Science and Technology
China
duan.w@outlook.com
Clinical Practice (CP) SIG
#ISOQOL_CP
This SIG focuses on methodology and implementation initiatives to advance the effective use of PRO measures across different medical care settings. Our ultimate objective is to improve the management and treatment of individual patients, medical decision-making, and patient-centered care.
Leadership
Past Chair
Angela Wolff, PhD RN
Trinity Western University
British Colombia, Canada
angela.wolff@twu.ca
Chair
Amy Cizik, PhD MPH
University of Utah
Utah, United States
amy.cizik@hsc.utah.edu
Chair-Elect
Maud van Muilekom, PhD
Amsterdam UMC
Netherlands
m.m.vanmuilekom@amsterdamumc.nl
Developing Nation SIG
#ISOQOL_DevelopingNation
This SIG identifies the social and economic issues and concerns that impact health and health related quality of life in developing countries to inform future research, practice, and policy recommendations. It also serves as a link between the members of this SIG and other SIGs to bring these social and economic issues and concerns to audiences where they may not otherwise be represented. We invite you to join us in addressing the challenges of measuring the quality of life in developing countries, considering language, and cultural barriers, the ethics of research in situations of poverty, and reduced autonomy.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Liliane LinsKusterer, PhD
Federal University of Bahia
School of Medicine
Brazil
lkusterer@gmail.com
Co-Chair
Ezinne Ekediegwu, PhD
Nnamdi Azikiwe University/ McGill University
Nigeria
tshantec@yahoo.com
Digital Health and eCOA SIG
#ISOQOL_DigitalHealth
The Digital Health and eCOA SIG will broadly cover topics of interest related to the scientific rigor, development, validation, and implementation of PRO, ClinRO, PerfO, ObsRO, and Proxy measures in electronic modes of data collection as well as digital measures. The SIG promotes the visibility of digital measures and eCOA related to the development and use of COAs by facilitating collaborations between academia, industry, consultants, COA developers, and pharmaceutical sponsors.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Alisa Heinzman, MFA
RWS Life Sciences
Washington, United States
Alisa.Heinzman@rws.com
Co-Chair
Megan Turner
GlaxoSmithKline
Pennsylvania, United States
megan.c.turner@gsk.com
Secretary
Ana Popielnicki
GlaxoSmithKline
Pennsylvania, United States
ana.a.popielnicki@gsk.com
German-speaking Countries SIG
#ISOQOL_GermanSpeaking
This SIG promotes communication, interaction and collaboration between ISOQOL members from German-speaking countries. We create a platform that enables the exchange of information, promotes research and education of PROs and facilitates networking and collaboration between researchers of all career stages, including clinicians, patients, colleagues from industry, government, regulatory agencies, not-for-profit institutions and all interested in advancing the science of quality of life (QOL) and related patient-centered outcomes (PCO) in German-speaking countries.
Leadership
Past Chair
Monika Sztankay, PhD
University Clinic of Psychiatry II
Austria
monika.sztankay@tirol-kliniken.at
Chair
Klara Greffin, Dipl -Psych.
University of Greifswald
Germany
Klara.Greffin@uni-greifswald.de
Chair-Elect
Holger Muehlan
HMU Health & Medical University Erfurt
Germany
holger.muehlan@hmu-erfurt.de
Health Preference Research SIG
#ISOQOL_HPR
This SIG promotes educational activities and scientific research related to health related preferences. We encourage our members to engage in organizational activities that support the growth and greater integration of health preference research.
Leadership
Past Chair
Julie A. Campbell, BEc (Hons) PhD
University of Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia
Julie.Campbell@utas.edu.au
Chair
Ana Maria Rodriguez-Leboeuf, PhD MSc PT
McGill University, IQVIA
Spain
anamaria.rodriguez@iqvia.com
Chair Elect
Philip Powell, PhD
University of Sheffield
United Kingdom
p.a.powell@sheffield.ac.uk
Industry SIG (I-SIG)
#ISOQOL_Industry
This SIG connects individuals from academia with professionals representing the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and consulting industries who share a common interest in the application of health related QOL research. We are interested in innovative methods and research related to COAs, including PROs.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Milena D. Anatchkova, PhD
Evidera
Maryland, United States
Milena.anatchkova@evidera.com
Co-Chair
Chisom Kanu, RPh, MSc, PhD
Eli Lilly
Texas, United States
Kanu_chisom@lilly.com
Japan
#ISOQOL_Japan
This SIG aims to increase opportunities for Japanese professionals in HRQL to communicate and exchange valuable information. We facilitate collaborations on high-quality studies, create opportunities for information exchange, and disseminate the results with the Japanese research community as well as with wider Asian Pacific and global audiences.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Takuhiro Yamaguchi, PhD
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
Japan
takuhiro.yamaguchi@gmail.com
Co-Chair
Shinya Saito, MD, PhD
Okayama Health Professional University
Japan
shinya@md.okayama-u.ac.jp
Secretary
Rika Hayashida, MS
University of Nagasaki, Siebold
Japan
rika-h@sun.ac.jp
Mixed Methods SIG
#ISOQOL_MixedMethods
This SIG promotes the use of mixed methods research in the field of HRQL research by exploring the challenges and methodological solutions offered by this research paradigm, identifying opportunities for application of mixed methods research in the field, and defining good practice. Our ultimate aim is to share and learn best-practice methodologies that can be utilized to enhance the patient-centeredness of outcomes research.
Mixed Methods: Refers to techniques that combine elements of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.
Leadership
Past Chair
Bridget Gaglio, PhD MPH
Evidera
Maryland, United States
bridget.gaglio@evidera.com
Chair
Amanda Barbeau, MPH
PCORI
Minnesota, United States
abarbeau@pcori.org
Chair-Elect
Chloe Carmichael
Clarivate
United Kingdom
chloe.carmichael@clarivate.com
New Investigators SIG
#ISOQOL_NewInvestigators
This SIG provides professional development opportunities for:
- Graduate students
- Postdoctoral fellows who have completed their doctorate in the past five years
- Independent researchers who have recently transitioned to health related QOL research within the past five years
We provide early-career support to young professionals new to the field of HRQL research through a variety of online resources and in-person events.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Lotte van der Weijst
European Organisation For Research And Treatment Of Cancer
Belgium
lotte.vanderweijst@eortc.org
Co-Chair
Jae-Yung Kwon, PhD RN
University of Victoria
British Columbia, Canada
jykn1@uvic.ca
Patient Engagement (PE) SIG
#ISOQOL_PE
This SIG aims to ensure the patient voice is represented in ISOQOL activities through the advancement of patient engagement in HRQL research. Not only do we discuss ways to incorporate the patient voice in HRQL research, but we also are here to support ISOQOL’s current and prospective Patient Research Partners (PRP).
Leadership
Co-Chair
Christel McMullan, PhD
University of Birmingham
United Kingdom
c.mcmullan@bham.ac.uk
Co-Chair
Sabrina Figueiredo
The George Washington University
United States
sfigueiredo@gwu.edu
Patient Research Partner Co-Chair
Leonie Young
Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre
Queensland, Australia
leonie.young@uchealth.com.au
Psychometrics SIG
#ISOQOL_Psychometrics
This SIG explores the role of psychometrics in the development and evaluation of health related QOL measures. We seek to advance QOL research through the application of psychometric methods.
Psychometrics: Refers to a field of study and practice that deals with the theories and techniques of psychological measurement.
Leadership
Past Chair
Jinxiang “Fran” Hu
Kansas, United States
jhu2@kumc.edu
Chair
Jeffrey J. Swigris, DO MS
National Jewish Health
Coloardo, United States
swigrisj@njhealth.org
Chair-Elect
Shanshan Qin, PhD
RTI Health Solutions
North Carolina, United States
sqin@rti.org
Regulatory and Health Technology Assessment Engagement (R&HE) SIG
#ISOQOL_RHE
This SIG will routinely and actively engage with regulatory agencies and health technology assessment (HTA) bodies to address critical applied measurement issues raised by these entities or that emerge from their public communications (e.g., guidance documents, reflection papers, workshops). This collaboration embraces a broad measurement perspective and enables us to build scientifically-based patient-focused recommendations regarding the use of clinical outcome assessments (COAs) in the evaluation of therapeutic interventions aimed at advancing human health and well-being.
Leadership
Past Chair
Robyn Carson
AbbVie
New Jersey, United States
robyn.carson@abbvie.com
Chair
Wen-Hung Chen
GSK
Maryland, United States
wen-hung.x.chen@gsk.com
Chair-Elect
Lori McLeod
RTI Health Solutions
North Carolina, United States
lmcleod@rti.org
Response Shift SIG
#ISOQOL_ResponseShift
This SIG explores when and why response shift occurs. Our ultimate goal is to help QOL researchers and health care professionals recognize and account for response shift when using PROs.
Response Shift: A change in the meaning of one’s self-evaluation of a target construct, i.e., during a research trial, a patient’s definition of mild pain versus intolerable pain could change.
Leadership
Co-Chair
I-Chan Huang, PhD
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Epidemiology and Cancer Control
Tennessee, United States
i-chan.huang@stjude.org
Co-Chair
Justin Baker, MD FAAP FAAHPM
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Tennessee, United States
justin.baker@stjude.org
Statistics SIG
#ISOQOL_Statistics
This SIG connects statisticians working in the field of quality of life and provides a platform for communication, interaction and collaboration. Our aim is to identify and progress key areas for research and provide workshops and training for the wider ISOQOL membership.
Leadership
Interim Chair
Katie Kunze, PhD
Arizona State University
Arizona, United States
kunze.katie@mayo.edu
Chair
Libby L. Floden, PhD MPH
Evinova
Massachusetts, United States
libby.floden@evinova.com
Chair Elect
Oluwagbohunmi A. Awosoga
University of Lethbridge
Canada
olu.awosoga@uleth.ca
Translation and Cultural Adaptation (TCA) SIG
#ISOQOL_TCA
This SIG advances the research of clinical outcome assessment (COA) translation and cultural adaptation. We promote the visibility of cross-cultural issues related to the development and use of COAs by promoting collaborations between academia, industry, consultants and pharmaceutical companies.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Barbara Brandt, MA
Critical Path Institute
Connecticut, United States
bbrandt@c-path.org
Co-Chair
Tim Poepsel, PhD
RWS
Connecticut, United States
tim.poepsel@rws.com
Secretary
Anita Bradley-Gilbride, PhD
Health Psychology Research Ltd
United Kingdom
anitabg@healthpsychologyresearch.com
United Kingdom and Ireland (UK and Ireland)
#ISOQOL_UK
This SIG focuses on use of PROMs research in the United Kingdom and Ireland by fostering engagement between policymakers, clinicians, industry colleagues, patients and researchers. We invite you to join us online or in person at our annual PROMs conference and other ISOQOL events.
Leadership
Past Chair
Timothy “Tim” Pickles, BSc (Hons) MSc
Cardiff University
United Kingdom
PicklesTE@Cardiff.ac.uk
Chair
Antoinette F. Davey, PhD
University of Exeter
United Kingdom
antoinette.davey@exeter.ac.uk
Chair-Elect
Matt Hall, BSc MSc
Swansea University & Velindre Cancer Centre
United Kingdom
m.c.hall@swansea.ac.uk
The International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) is a global community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, industry professionals, consultants, and patient research partners advancing health related quality of life research (HRQL).
Together, we are creating a future in which patient perspective is integral to health research, care and policy.