Event Studies

About the SIG

The Special Interest Group (SIG) is a dynamic forum for event researchers and educators, fostering collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing. Our focus areas include:

  • Networking: Building a collegial community of academics, students, government, and industry professionals through seminars, communications, and informal events.
  • Research and  Scholarship: Promoting critical academic debate and scholarly research to advance event studies across diverse topics.
  • Dissemination: Sharing rigorous, theory-driven research widely to inform and engage a broad audience.
  • Application: Encouraging research that shapes policy and practice in event education and industry for societal benefit.

Vision

Inspiring and connecting academics and practitioners to advance knowledge on inclusive, sustainable, and transformative events that enrich communities, influence policy, and create lasting societal impact.

Member Benefits

  • Supportive network of peers and experts
  • Collaboration and learning opportunities with industry leaders
  • Professional development events
  • Contributions to themed special issues in the CAUTHE journal and case study publications

SIG Snapshot video (2:40) with Associate Professor Martin Robertson and Dr Effie Steriopoulos.

Read:  A reflection by the Event Studies Special Interest Group September 2025

Past Activities

2026

  • Online workshop titled Reimagining Events for Social Value: Belonging and Social Transformation at 13:00-14:00 on 20 April 2026. In this event we focussed on Reimagining Events for Social Value: Belonging and Social Transformation. The session, co-chaired by Dr Effie Steriopoulos and A/Prof Cliff Lewis, brought together scholars including Prof Judith Mair, Dr Faith Ong and practitioner Garth Lategan to explore how events generate positive social impacts. Themes included inclusivity and community wellbeing. The forum highlighted events as platforms for connection, participation and social change. Download flyer

  • Meeting at the CAUTHE 2026 Conference from 1700–1800 on 11 February at the National Wine Centre, Adelaide, South Australia on the theme: Moments in Motion: Navigating the Lifespan of Events. Events are dynamic, evolving from ideas into experiences with lasting impact. This session focussed on the event lifecycle, exploring how events adapt, plateau and reinvent themselves in response to change. Participants considered when intervention may be needed and how transitions can spark reflection, innovation and renewed relevance.

    Presenters: Prof Kirsten Holmes, Tish Naughton, and Laura Smans
    Facilitated by: SIG Co-Coordinators Download flyer

2025

  • Meeting at the CAUTHE 2025 Conference on Wednesday12 February at 4:00-5:30pm titled Shaping the Green and Gold Legacy for Brisbane 2032. A round table discussion with Prof Leonie Lockstone-Binney and Ingrid Proud. Hosted by SIG Co-Chairs, Dr Effie Steriopoulos and Dr Faith Ong. Download flyer

2024

  • Meeting at CAUTHE 2024 Conference, Hobart at 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 8 February 2024 to discuss Pushing the boundaries of event studies with Prof Alison Morrison (WAI), Assoc Prof Clifford Lewis (CSU) and Dr Aaron Tham (USC), co-chaired by the SIG chairs. Download flyer.

2023

  • Meeting at the CAUTHE 2023 conference, Fremantle on Wednesday 8 February, 8:00 – 9:00am meeting on the topic Innovative frameworks and the complexity of major and mega events. Dinner followed at Little Creatures from 7:00pm. Download flyer.

2022

  • New SIG coordinators Dr Effie Steriopoulos (William Angliss Institute, Melbourne) and Dr  Faith Ong (The University of Queensland) thanked Associate Professors Leonie Lockstone-Binney and Martin Robertson for their outstanding work as SIG coordinators since 2015.
  • The theme for the 2022 Event Studies SIG meeting on Friday 4 February at 17:00-18:00 (AEDT) was What does authentic learning mean for event studies in a changing world?. Viewing learning from COVID and the global emergency, and new forms of social and learning engagement.

Founding coordinators

Dr Michelle Whitford (Southern Cross University) and Dr Judith Mair (Monash University Berwick)

Date founded: February 2010

SIG Coordinators

  • Dr Effie Steriopoulos

    Faculty of Higher Education

    William Angliss Institute

Dr Eliza Kitchen
Flinders University

Dr Truc Le
Griffith University