Conference

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.

Abstract Submissions due 24th October

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 Friday 24 October 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

Other conference activities

Thinking of a book launch or other workshop during the conference? Please contact airaanz@con-sol.com by Monday 15th September with a 250-word summary of your proposed idea so this can be assessed early by the conference committee and considered in the overall event planning.

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

Details on conference registration, including early bird, will follow shortly.

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