Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium 2026

7 & 8 May 2026

Deakin Downtown, Melbourne & Online via Zoom 

Researchers and practitioners interested in fathers, fathering or fatherhood are invited to contribute to the annual symposium on Fatherhood Research in Australia. 

About the symposium

The annual symposium is an opportunity for researchers to build and consolidate collaborations with other researchers and practitioners who work with fathers. The event is hosted by Deakin University (SEED Lifespan strategic research centre) with a range of disciplines represented.

Join us for keynote presentations, networking, and snapshot summaries that showcase research and father-inclusive programs from around Australia. The symposium is organised by the Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium (AFRC) and convened by Assoc Prof Jacqui Macdonald and Dr Karen Wynter.

Registration is essential.

Key Dates

9 September 2025

  • Registrations open.

  • Abstract submissions open.

2 November 2025

  • Abstract submissions close (5pm AEST).

29 April 2026

  • Registrations close.

1 May 2026

  • Final date to process registration refunds.

7 & 8 May 2026

  • Symposium days 1 & 2

Registration

  • In-Person (full rate)

    In-person registration for both days of the symposium, includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea.

    $190

  • In-Person (Student)

    In-person registration for both days of the symposium with student discount, includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea.

    $150*

  • Online (Full Rate)

    Online registration for both days of the symposium.

    $130

  • Online (Student)

    Online registration for both days of the symposium with student discount.

    $90*

*Please contact ausfatherhoodresearch@gmail.com if you are a student and need support with registration fees.

Program Highlights

⚫ Keynote presentation by Associate Professor Zac Seidler (Movember)

⚫ Fatherhood ‘hypothetical’ panel

⚫ Oral presentations

⚫ Poster presentations

⚫ Table discussions & reflections

2026 Keynote: Associate Professor Zac Seidler

Global Director of Men's Health Research at Movember,
Associate Professor with Orygen at The University of Melbourne

Dr Zac Seidler is a Clinical Psychologist, the Global Director of Men's Health Research at Movember and an Associate Professor with Orygen at The University of Melbourne. Zac leads the world’s largest team of highly productive researchers and students in men’s health. Zac has devoted several years to the goal of reducing the staggering male suicide and domestic violence rates, treating and researching men’s mental health, with over 150 peer-reviewed articles and 2 edited books published.

Zac has worked clinically with men of different ages and presentations from adolescents in Darwin with early psychosis to older HIV+ men struggling with adjustment. Zac provides expert advice to governments on health policy and research at a state, federal and international level. Zac appears regularly in the media including the ABC, BBC, Sky News and in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian for his work.

Details about his keynote presentation coming soon.

Stay tuned for the full program releasing in 2026!

Abstract submission

Both researchers and organisations are invited to submit abstracts summarising proposed or completed research, applied programs, or organisation descriptions that aim to progress the field of father-focussed research. Student submissions are welcomed. Accepted presentations will be shared by presenters in-person or via Zoom, and poster presentations will be held in-person. Awards and prizes will be presented at the end of Day 2.

Abstract submissions close 5pm Sunday 2nd November 2025.

Presentations Types

    • Presentation to share research findings.

    • As per the downloadable submission template below, abstracts should be structured as follows:

      • Background & Aims

      • Method

      • Results

      • Conclusion &/or Implications

    • Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words.

    • Presentation is to share outcomes of a program or initiative.

    • As per the downloadable submission template below, abstracts should be structured as follows:

      • Background/Aims

      • Description

      • Impact

    • Please note: Organisational presentations are only accepted from not-for-profit or government organisations.

    • Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words.

Presentations Formats

    • There will be an in-person poster presentation session scheduled in the program at Deakin Downtown.

    • Presenters are required to attend the symposium in-person and be available to stand with their poster and discuss it with symposium attendees during this time (to be announced with the full program).

    • If the primary author is not available to attend, another representative can take their place.

    • Poster specifications: Printed A0 size, portrait orientation 84.1cm(W) x 118.9 cm(H).

    • Please note this is a new addition to the program and replaces the short oral presentations we have done in previous symposia.

    • Accepted individual oral presentations will be allocated 10-minutes of presentation time in the program on either Day 1 or Day 2 of the symposium.

    • Presentations can be made either in-person or online via Zoom, and are limited to a maximum of 10 slides.

    • Group presentations (i.e. symposia) are designed for groups of four presenters to each speak on a related theme.

    • Each presenter will be allocated 10-minutes to speak for a combined 40-minute presentation.

    • The four presentations can be academic, non-academic or a mix and can be in-person, online or a mix of both.

    • One presenter is required to be assigned ‘chair’ of the group.

Peer review process

  • Review rubrics are available for your reference prior to submission (under ‘Apply Now’). There are separate rubrics for academic and non-academic submissions.

  • Abstracts will be reviewed by members of the AFRS Steering Committee in a blind review process where names and affiliations will be removed from submissions during review.

  • Please note that the Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium typically receives more abstracts than can be included in our symposium program, and therefore not all submissions will be accepted. Some oral submissions may be offered a poster presentation spot instead.

  • Applicants will be notified of their submission outcome in December 2025.

How to Apply

  1. Identify which presentation type and format you’ll be submitting.

  2. Download the relevant submission form and rubric (below).

  3. Fill out the form in Microsoft Word.

  4. Submit your details and the completed form via Qualitrics before 5pm Sunday 2nd November.

  5. All submissions will be reviewed by the AFRC steering committee and applicants contacted to be informed of the outcome.

Apply Now

Rubrics

Academic scoring rubric [Download PDF]

Non-academic scoring rubric [Download PDF]

Submission forms

Academic abstract submission form (poster and oral presentations) [Download Word]

Non-academic submission form (poster and oral presentations) [Download Word]

Group presentation submission form [Download Word]

Foundation sponsor

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring the Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium provides a singular opportunity to share your organisation’s commitment to promoting quality father-focused research and evidence-based practice, whether that be related to parenting, family cohesion, improved child outcomes or men’s health and wellbeing.

Information about sponsoring the 2026 AFRS will be released in late September.

Venue: Deakin Downtown

Level 12 / Tower 2, 727 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3008

 

Getting there

  • To use trams, trains and buses around Melbourne you’ll need to buy a Myki card. These can be purchased at any train station. Southern Cross Station is a 3 minute walk from Deakin Downtown. Myki cards are very easy to use, just top up credit or buy a pass at a shop or station, then touch-on once you’ve boarded the tram or bus – or touch-on and off to get through the barriers at train stations. You do not need a Myki car for tram travel within the free tram zone.

    Visit the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) Myki site. 

  • Deakin Downtown is only 5 minutes from Southern Cross Station.

    Plan your journey on the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website.

  • Collins Square has a tram super-stop at its front door, offering frequent services in to the CBD and is within the Free Tram Zone. Other Tram stops close to Collins Square are located at the Flinders Street / Wurundjeri Way side of Collins Square (catch the City Circle Tram here) and Spencer Street and Collins Street intersection.

    Plan your journey on the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website. 

  • Parking nearby is expensive unless you arrive before 10am and leave after 4pm, so it might be best to catch a taxi, tram or train. Secure parking is available nearby at: 664 Collins Street, Melbourne; or at 700 Collins Street, Docklands.

Travel

  • Travelodge Docklands  

    Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands is located centrally in the Docklands area, adjacent to Southern Cross Station and just a six minute walk to Deakin Downtown. Etihad Stadium and Melbourne Aquarium are all nearby. Visit the Travelodge Hotel website for more information. 

    Batman’s Hill on Collins

    Batman’s Hill on Collins is a historical hotel located directly opposite Southern Cross Station. It is only a 6-minute walk from the hotel to Deakin Downtown. Visit the Batman’s Hill on Collins website for more information. 

    The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins

    The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins is a highly rated accommodation on Trip Advisor and located opposite Southern Cross Station. And just an 8 minute walk along Collins Street to reach Deakin Downtown. Visit the Savoy Hotel on Little Collins website for more information. 

  • SkyBus 

    SkyBus offers an express bus service between Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Melbourne City for $24.60 per adult, one way. SkyBus also offers the free Sky Bus Link shuttle service to Melbourne City hotels from Southern Cross Station. Visit the SkyBus website for more information. 

    Taxi 

    Melbourne’s taxis are a convenient way to get from the airport to your destination. You can catch a taxi from designated taxi ranks located on the ground floor outside Terminal 1 and in the Terminal 4 Car Park. Visit the Melbourne Airport website for information on taxi ranks. 

    A trip from the Melbourne Airport to Deakin Downtown is estimated to cost from $70. 

  • Museums, galleries, and zoos 

    The Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs are home to the National Gallery of Victoria, Shrine of Remembrance, the Melbourne Zoo, Immigration Museum, and the Old Melbourne Gaol. 

    Shopping and eating 

    Shopping at the Block Arcade and Queen Victoria Markets are Melbourne must-dos. The CBD has café-filled laneways and Little Bourke St is home to Melbourne’s Chinatown restaurants. 

    Explore the region 

    If you are staying over the weekend, you can jump on a bus and visit the Yarra Valley for a winery tour and tasting. 

Questions?

For further information please contact the AFRS Organising Committee at ausfatherhoodresearch@gmail.com

Header photo by Gary Richardson, www.grichphoto.com