Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Venue: Swinburne University of Technology and online
Type: Hybrid
Location: Swinburne University of Technology
Address: John Street, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
See map: Google Maps

We are excited to announce that registrations are NOW OPEN for the 2026 CAUTHE Mid-Year HDR Conference, held in association with the Sport Management Association of Australia (SMAANZ) and Australasian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS).

REGISTER HERE

This year, the HDR Conference will be held in a single day. However, the event will be both In-person and Online (hybrid). The in-person event will be held on Friday 26 June at Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria. 

NOTE* – To attend this event for free, you must be a member of CAUTHE, SMAANZ, or ANZALS. To become a CAUTHE member, please sign up at CAUTHE membership.

Here is some information about the conference, including a tentative schedule (please note that all times are approximate and subject to change based on feedback and communication):

Conference Theme

Research, Teaching and Industry in Sport, Leisure and Tourism

Conference Schedule

RESEARCH: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Methods Matter: Qualitative Research and AI in Practice.

Presenters include:

• Qualitative data: Fandom – 20min presentation + 40min discussion
  Presenter: Dr. Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication – Sports Media, Deakin University
• AI in research: Ethical and emerging tech: 20min presentation + 10min Q&A.
  Presenters: Dr. Bri Newland, Associate Dean & Dr. Thomas Aicher, Dean and Professor College of Business, University of Colorado

12:00pm – 1:00pm: HDR presentations

1:00pm – 2:00pm: LUNCH

TEACHING: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Pedagogy in Practice: Design Thinking, Communication and Active Learning. Presenters include:

• Greg Joachim – Swinburne University of Technology, website editor for the Journal of Sport for Development and host of The Knowledge Mill, a podcast featuring PhD researchers and their work
• Jane Connory – Swinburne University of Technology, communication design lecturer. Skilled in practice-based design research, data visualisation, design history and using design as a tool for activism.
• Youcef Sai – La Trobe Academy lecturer supporting staff in excellence and innovation in teaching and learning and enhance teaching practice, engage in educational research, and navigate career progression. 

INDUSTRY: 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Parks, Play and Legacy: Industry Perspectives Across Sport, Leisure and Tourism. Presenters include:

• Anand Pillay, Chief Executive, Parks and Leisure Australia
• Linsdey Reece, Director Sport Programs & Director Play Well Research Unit, Australian Sports Commission
• Leonie Lockstone-Binney, Deputy Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism and a Professor in the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management at Griffith University

4:30pm – 6:30pm: SOCIAL EVENT: HAWTHORN HOTEL

We would be delighted if you could join us for this free event, but please note that students must be members of CAUTHE, SMAANZ, or ANZALS to attend. We encourage you to share this invitation with your relevant HDR student groups and encourage them to attend and present their research. This is an excellent opportunity to present your research to your peers and academic community.

INTERESTED IN PRESENTING YOUR RESEARCH IDEA?

We are currently accepting abstracts to present at the conference. Whether you are just starting your PhD journey or are further along, we invite you to submit a short abstract or encourage your PhD students to do so. This mid-year conference provides an excellent opportunity to present and workshop your research with other HDR students and academics, with a 10-minute presentation and 5-minute Q&A. Register now!

If you are interested in attending the conference, please register here (and indicate if you wish to present):

Further details, such as specific locations and the finalised schedule, will be sent closer to the conference.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact CAUTHE Kyle Munoz or SMAANZ Jen Pitson.