Our 2026 FRI Research Showcase and HDR Student Day is scheduled from Wednesday 25 November to Friday 27 November 2026. This annual event brings researchers, students and industry members together to our UniSC Sunshine Coast campus, for three inspiring days of networking opportunities, workshops, awards and presentations from leading national and international experts.
2026 Program
Please note this draft program is subject to change
Please visit our 'student information' page for important dates and information about HDR Student Day, as well as how to apply for a travel bursary to attend the event.
|
Time |
Event details |
|---|---|
| 8.30am–9am | Coffee on arrival and registration |
| 9–9.30am | Welcome and introduction of MC |
| 9.30–11am | Student research presentations (Pt 1) |
| 11–11.30am | Morning tea |
| 11.30am–1pm | Student research presentations (Pt 2) |
| 1–2pm | Lunch |
| 2–4pm | Professional Development: Panel session – Life after PhD: Real Stories, Real Paths |
| Time | Event details | |
|---|---|---|
| 8.30–9am | Coffee and tea on arrival and registration | |
| 9–9.10am | Welcome and opening remarks Professor Mark Brown, Director, Forest Research Institute |
|
| 9.10–9.35am | Keynote Speaker 1 Radha Kuppalli, Director, Ahnay Climate and Nature Finance |
|
| 9.35–10am | Keynote Speaker 2 Jeremy Mead, Head of Sales and Marketing, Hyne Timber |
|
|
10–10.30am |
Morning tea |
10.30am–12noon Session one: National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 20 mins | Centre update Prof Tripti Singh |
| 15 mins | Timber Circularity Project Dr Martin Strandgard |
| 15 mins | Timber Queensland AKD Award Dr Zidi Yan |
| 15 mins | Industry Secondment Dr Lewis Yerman |
| 15 mins | The Regional University–Industry Collaboration Program (RUICP) Ms Zoe Atterbury (Bloom Cycle Ltd) |
| 10 mins | Q&A |
|
12nn–1pm |
Lunch and poster sessions |
1–2:30pm Session two: Centre for Innovative Sustainable Forestry
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 15 mins | Circular bioeconomy project Dr Leanda Garvie |
| 15 mins | TBC |
| 15 mins | Energy biomass project update Dr Martin Strandgard |
| 15 mins | TBC Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck |
| 15 mins | Silvopastural systems Jaime Alberto Aranda Ramirez (CSU) |
| 15 mins | The Future of Forest Chipping: Energy Efficiency, Electrification and Sustainable Operations from our IEA bioenergy project Dr Mohammad Ghaffariyan |
|
2.30–3pm |
Afternoon tea |
3–4:30pm Session three: Australian Forest Wood Innovations (AFWI)
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 90 mins | TBC |
4:30–6pm Day 1 wrap-up and networking
| 4.30–5pm | Forest Research Institute updates Prof Mark Brown |
| 5–6pm | Networking, industry engagement, drinks and refreshments |
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 8.30–8.50am | Coffee on arrival and registration |
| 8.50–9am | Welcome and housekeeping |
9–10.30am Session four: Tropical Forests and People Centre (MC'd by Prof Claudia Romero)
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 15 mins | TFAP Centre Introduction Dr Liz Ota |
| 15 mins | Darwin stringybark plantation forestry on bauxite mine rehabilitation in northern Australia Farhad Ghorbani Motlagh and Dr Camila Ribeiro |
| 15 mins | Multi-decade forestry research in the Wet Tropics Dr Alex Catling |
| 15 mins | TBA Student presentation |
| 15 mins | Social and human rights impacts of carbon projects Rita Sully |
| 15 mins | Q&A |
10.30-11am |
Morning tea |
11am–12.30pm Session five: Centre for Forest Health and Resilience
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 10 mins | Centre overview and research direction Dr Madaline Healey |
| 15 min | Partner stories: collaboration in action |
| 5 mins | Research pitches from Centre researchers |
| 40 mins |
Rapid research conversations |
| 10 mins |
Future opportunities and next steps |
12.30–1pm Showcase wrap-up session
| Time | Event details |
|---|---|
| 15 mins | Key messages, opportunities and next steps Prof Mark Brown |
| 10 mins | Student poster awards presentation |
| 5 mins | Closing reflections |
|
1–2pm |
Lunch and networking |
About the Forest Research Institute
The Forest Research Institute (FRI) at the University of the Sunshine Coast leads research that connects forests, people, and industry for a sustainable future. We are shaping a forest future that is productive, climate-positive, and socially inclusive, through our Research Centres:
- Centre for Forest Health and Resilience
- Centre for Innovative Sustainable Forestry
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
- National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life
- AFWI Centre for Sustainable Futures
Each Centre has an individual identity and research focus while working collaboratively for greater impact. We welcome new higher degree by research students and industry collaborations.
Event contacts
FRI administration: FRIAdmin@usc.edu.au
Alicia Brown: abrown6@usc.edu.au, Senior Forest Research Communications Officer