AIRAANZ conference 2026

The Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand (AIRAANZ) is pleased to announce the 2026 conference is happening in Sydney, New South Wales, at the University of Technology Sydney from Wednesday 28 January to Friday 30 January 2026.

The theme of the conference is ‘Shifting perspective and practice: Industrial relations in a changing world of work’. Addressing real-world problems is at the heart of industrial relations research. Relatedly, academics are increasingly encouraged to generate and demonstrate societal impact from their research. This theme invites reflection and dialogue on societal impact in industrial relations scholarship and practice, and the challenges and opportunities of undertaking socially impactful research in a changing world of work.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr Sarah Kaine is a member of the NSW Legislative Council and Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Issues. Starting with her with her first job in unions in 1995, Dr Kaine’s 30-year career in industrial relations and labour rights advocacy has spanned the union movement, academia, public service and now Parliament. She began her career at the Australian Workers Union and the ACTU, later completing a PhD at the University of Sydney and serving as an Associate Professor at UTS for a decade. Her research and public advocacy have centred on labour standards, gender equity, and the role of organised labour in securing dignity at work.  As Director of the Industrial Relations Inspectorate in the NSW Government, she oversaw compliance and enforcement of workplace laws giving her deep insight into the practical enforcement of labour laws. Her work has consistently highlighted the importance of collective representation and fair regulation, which she continues to champion in Parliament through advocacy for fair work practices, ethical procurement, and democratic governance in public institutions.

Peter Fleming is Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. He has previously held positions at the University of Cambridge and University of London. His research focuses on the dark side of labour and life in the new economy. He has written numerous books including The Death of Homo Economicus (Pluto, 2017), Sugar Daddy Capitalism (Polity, 2019) and Dark Academia: How Universities Die (Pluto, 2021). His latest book is Capitalism and Nothingness: Critical Theory in Unwanted Times (Bloomsbury, 2025).

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

We are excited to invite abstract submissions for AIRAANZ 2026 Conference to be held at the University of Technology Sydney from 28 to 30 January 2026. We encourage abstract submissions related to the following themes:

• Gender, work, family and care
• Migrant labour and politics
• Labour productivity and IR
• Climate change, work and sustainability
• Platform/gig work and workers
• AI and digital transformation of work
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Youth labour
• Precarious and insecure work
• Workplace health and safety
• Unions, voice and bargaining
• Methodological and theoretical issues in IR
• Resistance to a neoliberal agenda: Reflections on previous struggles and their relevance for the future (Special session)
• Disruptive Bodies at Work: Gendered Transitions and Institutional Responses (Special session)
• Labour Geography and Industrial Relations (Special session)
• Going Against the Grain for Social Transformation (Special session)
• Teaching and Learning in a Changing World of Work (Special session)
• Researching Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (Special session)
• Indigeneity and Labour (Special session)
• General abstract stream

The abstract submission deadline is Monday 3 November 2025. Abstracts must be submitted via: https://consol.eventsair.com/airaanz-2026/submission/Site/Register

Abstract submissions should be uploaded in a Word document and be between 250-400 words (excluding references).

For technical assistance in submitting an abstract, contact: airaanz@con-sol.com

For academic queries related to abstracts/papers please contact organising committee chair Mihajla Gavin at: info@airaanz.org

Please contact Conference Chair Mihajla Gavin at info@airaanz.org for any questions.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

If you already have an AIRAANZ membership account, please LOGIN BEFORE REGISTERING for the conference here: https://www.airaanz.org/account

Once logged in, you can then register for the conference with the discount. Scroll to end of this page and click on the “Registration” button.

You can also become a NEW member and receive the discount. First, create a new membership account, then make sure to login, and you will now be able to register for the conference with the membership discount.

Registration fees	Rate (AUD)
Early bird Standard Member	760 (until 5 Dec)
Early bird Non-Member	970 (until 5 Dec)
Early bird Retiree or Student member	365 (until 5 Dec)
Standard Member	905
Standard Non-Member	1075
Standard Retired/Student	550
Standard Member Single Day*	250
Standard Non-Member Single Day*	375

Prices are in AUD. Registration fee is all-inclusive of conference events (welcome drinks, conference dinner, and HDR breakfast for HDR delegates) unless * which excludes conference functions. If you are registered for a Single Day and wish to attend a social function, please email airaanz@con-sol.com to purchase a ticket

ACCOMMODATION 

If you would like to book accommodation through Conference Solutions (who are assisting with organising the conference), please book via this link: https://consol.eventsair.com/airaanz-2026/book-accommodation

Please direct any questions about accommodation to: airaanz@con-sol.com

CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND GETTING TO THE VENUE

Conference Program 

The conference program is available here AIRAANZ 2026 Conference Program.pdf (current as at 27 January) and the conference booklet is available here AIRAANZ 2026 Conference Booklet.pdf (current as at 27 January).

Delivering your Presentation 

Each speaker is allotted 15 minutes for their presentation, plus 5 minutes Q&A after each presentation. Session chairs should strictly monitor this time to ensure all speakers receive their allotted speaking time.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time of your session to upload your slides to the computer. Please bring your presentation slides on USB. The lectern computer is a PC which only supports HDMI. IMPORTANT! If you are bringing a MAC, you will need to bring a MAC to HDMI converter.

Venue and Directions 

The Conference Venue is UTS Business School (Building 8) Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, 14–28 Ultimo Road, Ultimo NSW 2007. Further information about the campus is available at http://wayfinding.uts.edu.au/ and the Campus Guide 2025.pdf.

The Welcome Reception will be held at 80 Bar & Café on Level 3 of the Business School Building. The Conference Dinner will be held at Aerial Function Centre on Level 7 of Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo NSW 2007, a short 5-minute walk from the Business School Building.

Travel and Parking

You can catch public transport – either tram, bus or train to Central Station. The Business School is on The Goods Line, a partly elevated urban walkway from Central to the Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour. If travelling by train, you can walk through the Devonshire Street Tunnel onto The Goods Line to get to the Business School (10-15 minute walk). If travelling by car, please see the following UTS FH Car Park Options.pdf.

WiFi 

To connect to the free UTS guest WiFi, follow UTS GUEST WIFI Instruction.pdf. 

The login details are: 

WIFI: UTS Guest

Access Code: FHJan26!

Safety and Emergency 

If you need to call security, please call 02 9514 1192. When on campus, you can use the dedicated line for emergencies - dial ext. 6 from any landline telephone, or 1800 249 559 from your mobile, to be connected to our Security Operations Centre. Please read the guidance on UTS safety and security here UTS Safety & Security.pdf and information on emergency procedures CB08 -Type 28 - Emergency Procedures.pdf

Please ensure to watch the Stay Safe at UTS Video before attending the conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgSzxki1suk 

CONFERENCE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 

AIRAANZ Conference 2026 - Postgraduate Scholarships 

Applications for postgraduate student scholarships are now open. AIRAANZ pays the conference registration fees of successful applicants and, for those not living in the conference city, a contribution towards airfares and accommodation. The extent of this contribution will be determined in November 2025. Please note that the decision-making committee will consider all relevant factors, including whether the applicants is an AIRAANZ member and if an applicant has previously received this postgraduate scholarship. To apply, please complete the application form on our website. Applications should be received no later than 7 November 2025.

AIRAANZ Conference 2026 - Early Career Researcher Grants

Applications for early career researcher grants are now open. AIRAANZ is pleased to be able to support up to two members who are Early Career Researchers to attend the annual conference. This grant is by application and is intended to support those who have recently completed their PhD and are not in permanent paid work or are in teaching intensive positions that do not support conference participation. This grant will cover the cost of early bird registration and may contribute towards some travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should:

• be within three years of confirmation of their PhD (those who have been examined, but not yet graduated may also apply); and
• be in non-permanent employment (e.g. sessional or fixed term contracts); and/or be in a teaching intensive position that does not provide support for conference participation; and
• have been an AIRAANZ member for a minimum of two years.

To apply, please complete the application form on our website. Applications should be received no later than 7 November 2025

AIRAANZ CONFERENCE REFUND POLICY 

Refunds to the AIRAANZ Conference are to be provided, upon written request by the registrant, upon the following process:

• Registrations who are cancelled 2 calendar months or more prior to the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 95% of the amount paid for registration.
• Registrations that are cancelled between 1 and 2 calendar months prior to the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 60% of the amount paid for registration.
• Registrations that are cancelled on the date that falls between 1 calendar month and 14 days before the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 40% of the amount paid for registration.
• Registrations that are cancelled within 14 days of the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 10% of the amount paid for registration.

The organising committee has discretion to offer refunds at greater amounts than outlined above on compassionate grounds. Please contact: airaanz@con-sol.com

CODE OF CONDUCT 

All delegates are expected to follow the code of conduct during the conference. 

Policy Statement

AIRAANZ is committed to fostering safe, respectful, ethical, welcoming and culturally safe participation in events. AIRAANZ Conferences and events are convened to foster industrial relations scholarship and community. Harassment, discrimination, or other inappropriate behaviour towards conference or event delegates, members, guests, visitors, and others involved (e.g., staff, volunteers) is unacceptable.

We commit to respectfully acknowledging and engaging with the Indigenous peoples of the land on which AIRAANZ events are held. We will endeavour, in ways that are appropriate and guided by local customs, protocols, and preferences, to recognise and honour the Indigenous communities connected to each host location. This commitment reflects our respect for Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge systems, and cultural practices, and our intention to foster relationships grounded in humility, learning, and mutual respect.

This code of conduct outlines expectations for all those who attend or participate in AIRAANZ conferences and other AIRAANZ events, including during any informal social events outside the formal programme. This includes in-person and other means (e.g. electronic communication). It reminds delegates and participants that usual professional and academic ethics and standards apply. It sets out potential consequences for violation of the code and reporting mechanisms.

Unacceptable Behaviour 

Examples of inappropriate conduct may include, but are not limited to:

• Written or verbal comments which exclude or prejudice people based on any characteristic (e.g. gender, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, nationality, age). This includes sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or exclusionary jokes,
• Photography or recording without consent,
• Sexual harassment, including using or displaying sexual language or imagery,
• Visual display of offensive material,
• Sustained disruptions of talks or presentations,
• Physical contact, ranging from unnecessary and unwelcome touching, to serious assault,
• Intimidating behaviour, either physical or non-physical,
• Isolating or marginalising a person,
• Bullying, deliberate intimidation, or following/stalking.

Violations of the Code of Conduct 

Before the start of AIRAANZ Conferences and events, delegates will be informed of this Code of Conduct and the process for reporting complaints.

Violations of the Code of Conduct will be treated seriously.

Conference and event delegates alleged to have violated these rules may be asked by the conference or event organisers to leave the conference or event, without refund. Other possible responses may include helping complainants to contact security or local law enforcement, and assisting complainants experiencing unacceptable behaviour to feel safe for the duration of the conference/event. If the alleged offender is a Member of the Association, disciplinary action may also be initiated against them pursuant to Clause 12 of the AIRAANZ Constitution.

Reporting Unacceptable Behaviour 

If you are subject to what you believe is unacceptable behaviour under this code of conduct or witness such behaviour, a report can be made in the following ways.

1. An anonymous email to AIRAANZ (info@airaanz.org) monitored by the Communications Officer.
2. A report to the President, Vice President, Secretary, or any other member of the AIRAANZ Executive Committee.
3. A report to conference/event organisers, who will keep confidentiality and refer reports to the AIRAANZ Executive Committee.

Complaints will be reviewed independently by a sub-committee of the AIRAANZ Executive Committee in a timely manner. Recommendations of any actions to take will be made to the AIRAANZ Executive Committee and conference/event organisers.

Any complaint brought to our attention will be treated confidentially to the extent possible to properly assess the situation.

Review

The next scheduled review of this Code of Conduct will be 2029.

Conference Committee: Mihajla Gavin, Frances Flanagan, Rebecca Dong, Mahan Poorhosseinzadeh, Isabella Dabaja, Susan Ellicott

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