HDR Mid Year Conference 2026
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 ANZALS Mid-Year HDR Conference, held in association with the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) and the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ).
Conference Details
Conference Details:
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.
Conference Theme: Research, Teaching and Industry in Sport, Leisure and Tourism
We would be delighted if you could join us for this free event, but please note that students must be members of ANZALS, CAUTHE, or SMAANZ 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.
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.
NOTE* – To attend this event for free, you must be a member of ANZALS, CAUTHE, or SMAANZ. To become an ANZALS member, the cost is $50 head. To sign up, head to the ‘MEMBERS‘ page and select ‘JOIN ANZALS MEMBERSHIP‘. Or simply click HERE
If you are interested in attending the conference, please register through the link (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 me at xiaolin.li@lincolnuni.ac.nz.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Xiaolin Li
ANZALS HDR Representative
Conference Schedule
Conference Schedule:
We’re pleased to welcome you to a day exploring research, teaching, and industry practice across sport, leisure, and tourism. The program moves from qualitative methods and AI in research, through HDR presentations, into pedagogy and active learning, and concludes with industry perspectives from sector leaders. We hope you enjoy the discussions and join us afterwards at the Hawthorn Hotel.
RESEARCH STREAM: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Key note: Fandom and Qualitative Data (10:00am – 11:00am)
- Presenter: Dr. Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication – Sports Media, Deakin University
- AI in research: Ethical and emerging tech (11:00am – 11:30am)
Presenters: Dr. Bri Newland, Associate Dean & Dr. Thomas Aicher, Dean and Professor College of Business, University of Colorado - Submitting your PhD (11:30am-12:00pm)
- Presenter: Ms Olivia Bramley, RMIT University
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: HDR presentations
1:00 pm – 2:00pm: LUNCH
TEACHING STREAM: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pedagogy in Practice: Design Thinking, Communication and Active Learning. Presenters include:
- Dr 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
Dr 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.
Dr Youcef Sai – La Trobe Academy lecturer supporting staff in excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, enhancing teaching practice, engaging in educational research, and navigating career progression.
INDUSTRY STREAM: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Parks, Play and Legacy: Industry Perspectives Across Sport, Leisure and Tourism. Presenters include:
- Anand Pillay, Chief Executive, Parks and Leisure Australia
- Will Vickery, Australian Sports Commission
- Dr 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
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Social Event: Hawthorn Hotel
JOIN US NOW!
Sign up today as a member. ANZALS is an organisation that provides numerous benefits to its members..