We are excited to announce the inaugural Australian Social Policy Higher Degree by Research (ASP-HDR) conference. The 2025 ASP-HDR will be hosted by the Australian Social Policy Association and held at the Australian National University in Canberra.

When: Wednesday 12 February – Thursday 13 February 2025. Conference dinner (optional) will be held on Wednesday 12 February.

Where: The Australian National University (in-person)

The conference will be an in-person event featuring presentations from current HDR candidates researching in the field of social policy. We are now calling for papers from HDR candidates. We encourage nominations from HDR candidates at all stages of their candidature.

Papers can address conceptual and design approaches, report on research findings or raise issues for debate of relevance to the study of contemporary social policy. The purpose of this conference is to spark interdisciplinary conversations between scholars and provide an opportunity to connect with other HDR candidates in your field. As a HDR-focussed conference, this provides a professional development opportunity for early career researchers to present in a supportive environment.

The Conference will also include professional development sessions specifically tailored to HDR candidates.

Topics

Papers can address any area of social policy research, including (but not limited to):

• Social inequality and social justice

• Housing, communities and locational disadvantage

• Education, employment and social security

• First Nations

• Health, mental health and disability

• Families, youth and children

• Gender inequality

• Diversity and inclusion

• Human service delivery

Key dates and deadlines

• Abstract submissions close: 1 November 2024
• Authors notified of results: 8 November 2024

Registration fees (all prices in AUD and inclusive of GST):

• Early Bird: $100 (by 13 December 2024)
• Standard: $150

The cost of the conference dinner is TBA.

Draft conference program coming soon!

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Canberra.

Kind regards

Dr Katie Curchin and Gabrielle Lawrence

ASP-HDR Conference Convenors