Graduate Research Conference

The power of partnering

The Graduate Research Academy is pleased to invite contributions for the 2026 Graduate Research Conference: The Power of Partnering: Innovation at the Interface of Academia, Industry and Entrepreneurship, running from Wednesday 4 to Thursday 5 November.

Innovation thrives where people, ideas and communities intersect - and where researchers themselves are supported to thrive. This year’s theme recognises that partnering extends beyond formal collaborations to include the networks of support - mentors, peers and communities - that shape and sustain a researcher’s journey.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

We invite contributions for:

Lightning presentations – highlighting the value and impact of your research
Poster presentations – showcasing your research
Photography competition – capturing a day in the life of a researcher

Please see the details below for submission and presentation requirements.

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER (online)

Time	Session
9.00am – 9.15am Register here	*Welcome to day 1*
9.15am – 10.45am Register here	Masterclass: The community behind your research: beyond the acknowledgements We often hear that “it takes a village” - but in research, that village is deeply personal and often begins long before the PhD itself. This interactive masterclass introduces the Village Formation Tool, a research-informed visual mapping activity designed to make support networks visible and actionable. Through structured mapping, small group exchange, and facilitated discussion, participants will test and refine their “village” in real time. Developed through sector collaboration and tested with graduate research students, the workshop provides a practical framework for identifying gaps, strengthening connections, and more deliberately engaging the supports that enable research progress. Presenter: Dr Nick Baker, University of Otago
10.45am – 11.00am	Break
11.00am – 12.30pm Register here	Masterclass: Partnering in practice: building research communities Strong communities don’t happen by chance - they’re built through clarity, trust and shared purpose. This interactive workshop takes you through some of our favourite techniques and experiences for community building, often developed around communities of practice and growing research networks. We’ll be sharing strategies for fostering collaborations across academia, industry and community contexts. By the end of the workshop, you will have developed practical steps towards building your own or cohort networks. Presenters: Associate Professor Tseen Khoo, Deakin University and Dr Jonathan O’Donnell, Deakin University, The Research Whisperer
12.30pm – 1.00pm	Break
1.00pm - 2.30pm Register here	Masterclass: Maximising research relevance: taking your skills beyond academia Your research skills go further than you think! This engaging alumni panel explores how the capabilities you’ve developed - critical thinking, problem solving, communication and more - can translate into meaningful careers beyond academia. Using five key areas of impact as a guide (economic benefits; policy influence; society & cultural impact; scientific and academic advancement; and environmental & health improvements), you’ll learn to recognise your strengths, reframe your experience, and confidently position yourself for opportunities across industry, government and beyond. The session features a panel discussion with experts representing each impact area, offering practical insights into how research skills are applied in diverse professional contexts. It’s all about making your research training matter - wherever your career takes you. Presenters: TBC

THURSDAY 5 NOVEMBER (on campus)

Register for full day (includes lunch and morning tea)

Time	Session
9.00am – 9.30am	*Registration and arrival coffee* Poster presentations and photo competition
9.30am – 9:45am	*Welcome to Day 2*
9.45am - 11.00am	*Keynote Speaker:* TBA
11.00am - 11.30am	Morning tea
11.30am –1.00pm	*Lightning presentations - session 1* Presenters: TBA
1.00pm – 2.00pm	*Lunch / Networking Session* PLUS poster presentations and photo competition
2.00pm – 3.30pm	*Lightning presentations - session 2* Presenters: TBA
3.30pm – 3.45pm	Light refreshments
3.45pm – 4.00pm	*Awards & event wrap-up*

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

TBA

MASTERCLASSES

Dr Nick Baker
Dr Nick Baker works with the Graduate Research School at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, helping postgraduate researchers prepare for and thrive during their higher-degree research. He created the Village Formation Tool, a resource that helps doctoral candidates map the network of people, skills, and support around a research project — because no thesis is completed alone. Nick's work spans Otago's AI Literacy Programme, the Three Minute Thesis competition, GRS quiz and games nights, and researcher-development modules on writing, feedback, productivity, and motivation.

Dr Nick Baker

Dr Nick Baker works with the Graduate Research School at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, helping postgraduate researchers prepare for and thrive during their higher-degree research. He created the Village Formation Tool, a resource that helps doctoral candidates map the network of people, skills, and support around a research project — because no thesis is completed alone. Nick's work spans Otago's AI Literacy Programme, the Three Minute Thesis competition, GRS quiz and games nights, and researcher-development modules on writing, feedback, productivity, and motivation.

Associate Professor Tseen Khoo and Dr Jonathan O’Donnell
Associate Professor Tseen Khoo and Dr Jonathan O’Donnell are researcher developers in the Researcher Development Academy, Deakin University. They research in the field of critical university studies and have published on early career researcher experiences, research funding, digital academic identities, and researcher communities. Tseen and Jonathan created and run the internationally recognised researcher development and research culture blog, The Research Whisperer.

Associate Professor Tseen Khoo and Dr Jonathan O’Donnell

Associate Professor Tseen Khoo and Dr Jonathan O’Donnell are researcher developers in the Researcher Development Academy, Deakin University. They research in the field of critical university studies and have published on early career researcher experiences, research funding, digital academic identities, and researcher communities. Tseen and Jonathan created and run the internationally recognised researcher development and research culture blog, The Research Whisperer.

Dr Aaron M. de Souza
Dr Aaron de Souza is the Manager, Research at Museums of History NSW (MHNSW). This role sees him lead a team of Research Curators to generate and share new knowledge through collection-based research, as well as developing research partnerships with universities and other cultural institutions and creating engagement opportunities for students. Aaron was lead curator on the exhibition, Unearthed, drawing on his archaeological training to showcase artefacts excavated from the site of Australia’s first Government House.

Dr Aaron M. de Souza

Dr Aaron de Souza is the Manager, Research at Museums of History NSW (MHNSW). This role sees him lead a team of Research Curators to generate and share new knowledge through collection-based research, as well as developing research partnerships with universities and other cultural institutions and creating engagement opportunities for students. Aaron was lead curator on the exhibition, Unearthed, drawing on his archaeological training to showcase artefacts excavated from the site of Australia’s first Government House.

Dr Victoria Flanagan
Dr Victoria Flanagan completed her PhD (which was awarded a Vice Chancellor’s Commendation) in 2005. She then worked as an academic at the University of Helsinki (Finland) before joining the English Department at Macquarie University, where she was Director of the Master of Children’s Literature program from 2008-17. She has published two books, Technology and Identity: The Posthuman Subject in Adolescent Fiction (2014) and Into the Closet: Cross-Dressing and the Gendered Body in Children’s Literature and Film (2008). She transitioned to a career in policy in 2018, where her work focuses on children’s rights issues. She was Senior Adviser to Australia’s first National Children Commissioner from 2018-20, and has also worked as a senior policy adviser for the NSW Department of Education and Uniting NSW.ACT. She is currently the Senior Policy Manager at the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia.

Dr Victoria Flanagan

Dr Victoria Flanagan completed her PhD (which was awarded a Vice Chancellor’s Commendation) in 2005. She then worked as an academic at the University of Helsinki (Finland) before joining the English Department at Macquarie University, where she was Director of the Master of Children’s Literature program from 2008-17. She has published two books, Technology and Identity: The Posthuman Subject in Adolescent Fiction (2014) and Into the Closet: Cross-Dressing and the Gendered Body in Children’s Literature and Film (2008). She transitioned to a career in policy in 2018, where her work focuses on children’s rights issues. She was Senior Adviser to Australia’s first National Children Commissioner from 2018-20, and has also worked as a senior policy adviser for the NSW Department of Education and Uniting NSW.ACT. She is currently the Senior Policy Manager at the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia.

TBA

TBA

TBA

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Highlight the transformative impact of your research!

Do you have research with a significant impact? Here's your chance to showcase it!

Submit your abstract and seize the opportunity to highlight the transformative impact of your research in just five minutes. Impress our judges and captivate the audience for a chance to win prizes!

Theme: "The value of your research"
Presentation date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
Presentation requirements: 5 minutes long, no more than four (4) powerpoint slides

Prizes

First place: $300.00
Second place: $200.00
People's Choice: $100.00

Submission guidelines

To apply, submit an abstract for your research paper that is relevant to the theme. Please read the Presentation Guidelines before submitting your application.

Application form
Abstract deadline: Friday 4 September 2026
Notification of acceptance: Friday 25 September 2026

Apply now and make your impact known!

Showcase your research impact!

Do you have research that makes a difference? Macquarie's research community would love to see it!

Submit your abstract and design an eye-catching poster that highlights the powerful impact of your research. Impress our judges and win over the audience to claim prizes!

Theme: "Showcase your research"
Presentation date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Poster size: Between A3 to A0

Prizes

First place: $300.00
Second place: $200.00
People's Choice: $100.00

Submission guidelines

To apply, submit an abstract for your research poster that is relevant to the theme. Already presented a poster about your research this year? Great news - you can reuse it for this conference! Please read the Presentation Guidelines before submitting your application.

Application form
Abstract deadline: Friday 4 September 2026
Notification of acceptance: Friday 25 September 2026

Submit now and promote your research!

A day in the life of a researcher!

Do you have a compelling story to tell about the daily life of a researcher? Here's your chance to showcase it!

Submit your photo and capture the essence of your research journey. Highlight the transformative moments and everyday experiences that define your work. Impress our judges and captivate the audience for a chance to win prizes!

Theme: “A day in the life of a researcher”
Presentation date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Creative brief: Capture any aspect of living the “life of a graduate researcher” within a single image (i.e., no composite or panelled images).

Prizes

First place: $300.00
Second place: $200.00
People's Choice: $100.00

Submission guidelines

To apply, submit your photo with one sentence outlining how your photo relates to the theme. Please read the competition Terms and Conditions before submitting your application.

Application Form
Submission deadline: Friday 16 October 2026
Winners will be announced at the conference on Thursday 5 November 2026

Apply now and let your story be seen!

Presenting at this conference - or another - soon? Want to improve your public speaking for future presentations?

This 2.5-hour workshop covers several less-obvious but essential skills for participating fully in academic conferences. From presenting posters and lightning presentations to chairing sessions and networking with a cup of coffee and pastry in your hands, you’ll not only hear some great advice but get to practise with real props!

9.30am - 12.00pm, Tuesday 29 September
Register here

This year’s Conference presenters should definitely register, but any graduate researcher who plans to attend, present at, or apply for a conference is welcome.

Graduate Research Academy
Level 2, 16 Wally's Walk
Macquarie University NSW 2109

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