NEWS
2026 News Highlights
We look forward to a positive, productive, and exciting year!
2026 OCHRe Convocation
REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
15- 16 October 2026 | Naarm (Melbourne)
“Empowering Voices, Deadly Futures”
Maali Hub | Call for Abstracts
Convocation Session EMCR Presentations
The OCHRe 2026 Convocation will be held in Melbourne on
15–16 October. Maali Hub invites early and mid-career researchers (within 10 years of PhD conferral, excluding periods of career disruption) to submit an abstract to present their research.
Complete the form below to submit your abstract. Please note that it is not possible to save your progress and return at a later time, so ensure that all questions are fully completed prior to submission.
Applications close on the 19th of July at 11pm WST.
If you have any questions please email the Maali Hub team at maalihub@ecu.edu.au
Come together with colleagues and partners from across the research sector for two days of insight, collaboration and inspiration.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
OCHRe Convocation 2026 Details
The 2026 OCHRe Convocation theme, “Empowering Voices, Deadly Futures”, reflects a strong commitment to amplifying community voices and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership at the centre of health, research, and translation. It highlights the importance of self-determination, cultural strength, and collaborative action to create futures that are not only healthy and sustainable, but deadly — strong, vibrant and led by communities.
Come together with colleagues and partners from across the research sector for two days of insight, collaboration and inspiration.
NHMRC
New initiative promoting Indigenous health equity through research
To help drive equitable health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, NHMRC is asking all grant applicants to consider the potential impacts and benefits of their research for Indigenous health in more schemes in 2026.
To view the full article, click here
Other News
Study results prove First Nations midwifery
program leads to healthier babies
By Andi Yu | ABC News
A midwifery program available to First Nations families in three Melbourne hospitals is producing improved health outcomes for newborns.
Researchers have tracked the results of the program for years and have published their findings in medical journal, The Lancet.
The findings show babies whose mothers received culturally-tailored midwifery care were less likely to be born pre-term or with low birth weight, leading researchers to call for the program to be installed statewide.
To view the full article, click here
Survival Guide for Early Career Researchers Book | ©2022
Editors: Dominika Kwasnicka, Alden Yuanhong Lai
Authored by peers – early career researchers who have been successful in navigating their careers
Highlights new tools and trends in setting research strategy that are not yet prominent in other books
Supplements mentorship and professional development knowledge that are not readily available in print
Navigating research careers is often highly challenging for early career researchers (ECRs) in the social sciences. The ability to thrive in research careers is complex and requires "soft" people and management skills and resilience that often cannot be formally taught through university coursework. Written from a peer perspective, this book provides guidance and establishes emotional rapport on topical issues relevant for ECRs in academia and industry. The authors are ECRs who have been successful in navigating their careers, and they seek to connect with readers in a supportive and collegial manner.
Survival Guide for Early Career Researchers | Springer Nature Link
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Conferences 2026
18th World Congress
on Public Health
6-9 September 2026 | South Africa
Health Without Borders:
Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability
For more information, click here
The Indigenous Wellbeing Conference
12-13 October | Ngunnawal Country (Canberra)
On Our Terms: Indigenous Leadership, Wellbeing, and Future
For more information, click here
World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference 2026
4-7 November | Kirikiriroa, Aotearoa (Hamilton, New Zealand)
Call for Abstracts now open
For more information, click here
CATSINaM National Conference
17 – 19 November 2026 | Mparntwe, NT
The Power we Carry Protecting and Growing Our Young Ones – Anwerne rlterrke atnyenetyeke Anwerne ampe mape arntarntaretyeke.
For more information, click here
IAHA National Conference
30 November – 2 December 2026 | Boorloo (Perth)
For more information, click here
Conferences 2027
Lowitja Conference | Larrakia Country | 8-10 June 2027
2027 will mark 30 years since the Lowitja Institute began in Darwin as the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, so it will be a very special homecoming.
Although this event is not for 18 months, we know an early ‘save the date’ announcement assists attendees with planning bookings and organising attendance. After a record-breaking 1,370 delegates at the 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference on Kaurna Country in June 2025, we’re expecting even more registrations for the Darwin Convention Centre event, scheduled from 8-10 June 2027.
2027 will mark 30 years since the Lowitja Institute began in Darwin as the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, so it will be a very special homecoming.
Although this event is not for 18 months, we know an early ‘save the date’ announcement assists attendees with planning bookings and organising attendance. After a record-breaking 1,370 delegates at the 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference on Kaurna Country in June 2025, we’re expecting even more registrations for the Darwin Convention Centre event, scheduled from 8-10 June 2027.
We look forward to you joining us in the Northern Territory for an unforgettable week of knowledge-sharing, culture, and insights.
For more details and Lowitja Conference announcements, keep an eye on lowitjaconference.org.au.
OCHRe HIGHLIGHTS
