Call for contributions

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 our biennial 2025 K’gari Research Conference 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.

Call for abstracts: Presentation submissions

We are inviting submissions for presentations at our upcoming conference. The programming committee welcomes 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. If a submission is considered more appropriate to an ignite talk or poster display, these options will be offered to the presenter.
2. Ignite Talks: These are 5-minute speed talks with a 1-minute changeover, presented in 60-minute blocks of up to 10 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.

The call for abstracts closes on Monday 1 September 2025.

We look forward to your innovative contributions and engaging discussions.

Selection criteria

1. Relevance to the themes and overall objectives of the Voices of K’gari: Research, Respect and Responsibility 2025 Conference.
2. Originality or interest for conference participants.
3. Impact eg advancing knowledge, social outcomes, policy impact etc.
4. Includes the participation of stakeholders and rights holders such as the Butchulla community.

Themes

1. Documenting or recording Cultural Knowledge: The importance of documenting cultural knowledge and archaeological data to preserve significant places and understand historical changes.  
2. Naturalness and Cultural Management: Explores the concept of 'naturalness' and how cultural practices like burning influence the island's ecosystem and cultural heritage.
3. Beach and Coastal Dynamics: Risks to beach aesthetics, marine resources and shorebird habitats.
4. Marine environment: Risks to marine environment including cultural implications.
5. Freshwater and Aquifer Systems: Risks to freshwater dune lakes and aquifers, including cultural and ecological implications.
6. Geological and Soil Processes: Significant geological processes, such as longshore drift and podzolisation, and their links to cultural heritage and climate change.
7. Vegetation and Biodiversity: The combined effects of fire and climate change on vegetation communities and cultural resources.
8. Biological Processes: Risks to rare and threated fauna.
9. Visitor management: Impacts of visitation including the impact on species such as Wongari.

Guidelines for contributions

Submissions should summarise key points, highlight content and be no longer than 300 words.

Panel sessions should also include a statement of how the panel session will benefit delegates with objectives and expected outcomes.

In addition, we are requesting a copy of all slides used for inclusion in the post conference outcomes document, which will be available to all participants. The slides can be submitted at the time of the conference.

Submission requirements for Themed Talks, Ignite Talks, Panel Session and Posters

Submissions must be made via the online Call for abstracts form by Monday 1 September 2025. All presenters must register for the conference and pay the appropriate registration fee by the 3 November. If no author is registered by this date, the abstract will be withdrawn from the conference program.

Terms and conditions

• Lodging an abstract does not guarantee inclusion in the conference program.
• Abstract receipt and acceptance will be acknowledged to the submitting author. Further communication will be with the submitting author only unless otherwise directed.
• Submissions must adhere to the abstract requirements and be submitted before the call for submissions close.

We invite you to be part of this important conversation by submitting a conference contribution.

Contact

Kim Walker: kwalker4@usc.edu.au