The University of the Sunshine Coast, along with partners the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation (BAC), the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC), the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) and FINIA – the Natural Integrity Alliance for K’gari, is excited to announce the biennial K’gari Research Conference Voices of K’gari: Research, Respect and Responsibility on Monday and Tuesday, 10-11 November 2025.

This event provides a platform to discuss and share research on K’gari and the broader Great Sandy Region, engaging diverse audiences in discussions on citizen science, cultural knowledge, monitoring, academic and student research. A program and registration will be available shortly on the conference webpage.

The organising committee has called for abstracts for presentations at the conference, with abstracts in the following formats:

1. Themed talks: These are 15-minute talks (including questions and answers), grouped around a similar topic in concurrent sessions.
2. Ignite Talks: These are 5-minute speed talks with a 1-minute changeover, presented in 60-minute blocks of up to ten talks, followed by a 30-minute facilitated discussion period with the presenters. There is no limit to the number of slides, only the presentation time!
3. Panel Sessions: Do you want to lead your own session? Each panel will last a maximum of 60 minutes. Requires an outline of the proposed event and focus areas. Presenters are responsible for leading the session, inviting speakers, coordinating PowerPoints, timing, and facilitating participant involvement.
4. Poster Session: Posters will be displayed at the conference venue, with viewing sessions during breaks.

If an abstract is more appropriate for an ignite talk or poster display, these options will be offered to the presenter.

For more information, please check out the call for abstracts guideline for contributions or complete the call for abstracts form online by Monday, 1 September. For further information, please contact Kim Walker, kwalker4@usc.edu.au.

Article contributed by Dr Kim Walker, University of the Sunshine Coast