The Faculty of Science Graduate Research Conference 2026 will be held on Tuesday 24 November at Melbourne Connect. The conference showcases and celebrates our graduate researchers' and students' research, broadens connections with peers and academics, and encourage collaboration and the sharing of ideas across the Faculty.
Faculty of Science research students from Honours, Masters, DVM final year, MPhil and PhD are all welcome.
The call for abstracts is now open. The template for abstracts can be found here. Abstract submissions close Friday 23 October 2026.
The presentations at the conference will fit into the key themes from the Science Research Strategy. You can read more about the conference themes below.
The conference will feature a plenary lecture as well as poster displays. Attendees will have the opportunity to network over food and refreshments.
The full conference schedule as well as abstract details will be available at a later date.
Conference themes
-
We bring our expertise in agriculture and food systems, food security and biosecurity, functional foods and human nutrition, to collaborations for the creation of new knowledge in food systems locally and across the world.
-
We bring our expertise in sustainable cities, natural resources, pollution and Indigenous knowledge, as well as decision support and data analysis to find solutions for a healthy planet.
-
We bring our expertise in modelling the past, present and future of Earthʼs climate, together with technological, social and nature based solutions to collaborations that aid understanding of climate change impacts and foster adaptation.
-
We bring our expertise in measurement and modelling of environmental change, as well as an understanding of socioecological systems and the complementarity of Indigenous knowledge and Western science to collaborations that promote biodiversity.
-
We bring our expertise in understanding molecular mechanisms, lifecycles and the interconnections between human health, animal health and the environment, as well as the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious animal diseases to promoting the health of animals, people and ecosystems.
-
We bring our expertise in materials, safety of energy infrastructure, climate, Earth systems science, and geological resources to collaborations that build the renewable energy future.
-
The 'theory and methods' theme focuses on the fundamental building blocks of science. This theme explores the main ideas and theories that help scientists understand and explain natural phenomena, and the practical tools and techniques used to study them.
-
Through fundamental and discovery research we begin to form patterns, sequences and develop theories to help explain the world around us. Discovery research underpins innovation, transformation and invention in all areas of science.
Conference organising committee
| Associate Professor Stephen Gallagher | Chair |
| Gemma Van der Hurk | BioSciences representative |
| Jarra Horstman | Physics representative |
| Haisum Hayat | Physics representative |
| Riley Taylor | Chemistry representative |
| Prabhath Meegamage | MVS representative |
| Kinley Penjor | MVS representative |
| Ngozi Ulasi | SGEAS representative |
| Mfoniso Otu | SGEAS representative |
| Faris Ruzain | SGEAS representative |
| Laura Klatt | SAFES representative |
| Dilan Dissanayake Mudiyanselage | SAFES representative |
| Mengqi Ma | Maths & Stats representative |
| Ha Ninh Nguyen | GSA representative (SAFES) |
| Maryam Zarean | GSA representative (SAFES) |
| Celynn Choo | Communications |
| Jessie Kuang & Louise Dorinko | Experience Coordinator |
| Melissa Pearson | Graduate Research Team Leader |