Program Overview - HDR Symposium
**Program timings subject to change**
Australasian Cities at the Crossroads: Navigating Legacy, Innovation & Sustainability
Since 2013, the HDR Symposium has brought together PhD candidates from across Australasia, fostering connections and relationships within the diverse PhD. This year, the symposium will be guided by the values of inclusivity, collaboration, and respect, ensuring a welcoming and culturally safe space for all participants.
The 2025 HDR Symposium is a two-and-a-half-day event preceding and complementing the State of Australasian Cities Conference. This year, the symposium will be held in Brisbane, Australia, and will continue its tradition of creating a collegial, inclusive, and supportive environment for candidates to share, refine, and receive valuable feedback on their research.
The symposium is highly recommended for candidates post confirmation to nearing completion. As in past years, a core feature of the symposium will be the mentoring workshop, where participants are grouped based on shared research themes or methodologies and paired with two mentors - one senior academic and one Early Career Researcher (ECR) - to provide tailored feedback and guidance.
Additional sessions will focus on career development, research pathways, and navigating the academic journey.
Click here for the full program
Day 1 - Sunday 7 December
**Program timings subject to change**
| 8:30am - 9:00am | Welcome and Registration |
| 9:00am - 9:30am | Opening and Welcome to Country |
| 9:30am - 10:30am | Keynote (1) |
| 10:30am - 11:00am | Morning Tea |
| 11:00am - 12:30pm | Networking Session |
| 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Panel Discussions |
| 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Meet the Mentors |
Day 2 - Monday 8 December
**Program timings subject to change**
| 8:30am - 9:00am | Welcome and Registration |
| 9:00am - 10:30am | Student Presentations: Session 2 |
| 10:30am - 11:00am | Morning Tea |
| 11:00am - 12:30pm | Student Presentations: Session 3 |
| 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Workshops |
| 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 3:30pm - 5:00pm | HDR Masterclass |
| 5:50pm - 6:30pm | Slot for thematic panels & interest groups |
Day 3 - Tuesday 9 December
**Program timings subject to change**
| 8:30am - 9:00am | Welcome and Registration |
| 9:00am - 10:30am | Student Presentations: Sessions 4 |
| 10:30am - 11:00am | Morning Tea |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm | Keynote (4) |
| 12:00pm - 12.30pm | Closing of Symposium |
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