RANZCP homepage
Date
20 - 22 March 2026
Location
Peppers Silos Launceston89 – 91 Lindsay Street
Invermay, TAS 7248
Organised by
Section of Social, Cultural and Rehabilitation PsychiatryDelivery
In-personThe Section of Social, Cultural and Rehabilitation Psychiatry invites you to attend their 2026 conference in the picturesque city of Launceston, Tasmania, from 20–22 March 2026.
This year’s theme, ‘Many minds, one mission: advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in mental health care’, embodies our collective commitment to fostering a mental health system that effectively addresses the diverse needs of all individuals and communities.
The conference program will address some of the key debates facing our section, with particular emphasis on the evolving role and identity of rehabilitation psychiatry, and an exploration of the key social determinants of mental health. We are also partnering with the World Association of Psychosocial.
Rehabilitation (Australian branch) to explore the challenges in accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people with psychosocial disability.
In addition to the conference sessions, a thoughtfully designed social program will provide opportunities to cultivate professional connections amidst the scenic surroundings of northern Tasmania.
We look forward to welcoming you to Launceston in March 2026, where we will come together to reflect on these matters and more. We welcome your contribution to the discussion.
Conference program
Call for abstracts
Poster abstracts are now invited. If you wish to submit an abstract for consideration by the Organising Committee, you must also intend to register for the conference. Online submission is the only accepted method of abstract submission
The deadline for submissions is Friday 30 January 2026.
Abstract submission key dates
Abstract submission closes Friday 30 January 2026
Author acceptance of offer deadline Friday 20 February 2026
How to submit your abstract:
Poster abstract submission is a two-step process:
Step 1
Download the relevant abstract template [MS Word; 29.5 KB], save it to your desktop and complete it.
Step 2
Create an account via the abstract submission portal and upload your poster abstract
Please note:
- All abstracts must be prepared according to the guidelines provided. Incomplete or incorrect submissions will be returned to the author and must be re-submitted immediately in the correct format to be considered for inclusion in the program.
- Abstract submission will close at 23:59 AEST on Friday 30 January 2026
Abstract speaker registration
The invitation to submit an abstract does not constitute an offer to pay travel, accommodation or registration costs associated with the conference. Similarly, no presenter fee is paid to successful participants.
All presenters must register for the conference in order for the presentation to be included in the program.
Further enquiries
For any enquiries regarding abstract submission please contact events@ranzcp.org
Keynote Speakers
Professor Emma Lee
Emma Lee is a Trawlwulwuy woman from Tebrakunna country, north-east Tasmania. She joined Federation University in March 2023 to further the research and social impacts of the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice. Emma is an internationally recognised expert on Indigenous methodologies, especially as applied to land and sea management. She has written books, papers and reports on Indigenous rights, governance and regional development. Her favourite research areas are government policy, renewables, tourism and fisheries. Emma has also led work to establish a market for cultural fisheries in Tasmania through an inaugural Aboriginal food tourism trail based on commercial abalone operations.
In 2023 she became the first Indigenous woman to be a global recipient of a Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. In 2021, she was the first Indigenous Australian editor of a Best Practice Guideline for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Emma was also a finalist for 2022 Australian of the Year (Tasmania) for her body of work in Indigenous rights.
Emma Lee is a Trawlwulwuy woman from Tebrakunna country, north-east Tasmania. She joined Federation University in March 2023 to further the research and social impacts of the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice. Emma is an internationally recognised expert on Indigenous methodologies, especially as applied to land and sea management. She has written books, papers and reports on Indigenous rights, governance and regional development. Her favourite research areas are government policy, renewables, tourism and fisheries. Emma has also led work to establish a market for cultural fisheries in Tasmania through an inaugural Aboriginal food tourism trail based on commercial abalone operations.
In 2023 she became the first Indigenous woman to be a global recipient of a Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. In 2021, she was the first Indigenous Australian editor of a Best Practice Guideline for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Emma was also a finalist for 2022 Australian of the Year (Tasmania) for her body of work in Indigenous rights.
Professor Jennifer Smith-Merry
Jen Smith-Merry is Professor of Health and Social Policy and Australian Research Council Industry Laureate Fellow (2024-2029) in the University of Sydney School of Health Sciences. Jen was Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy (2018-2024), a multi-disciplinary centre whose mission is to make life better for people with disability by translating research to policy and practice. Her research focuses on disability and mental health policy, particularly in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Jen works closely with people with lived experience of disability and has a strong interest in critical theoretical approaches to policy analysis.
Jen Smith-Merry is Professor of Health and Social Policy and Australian Research Council Industry Laureate Fellow (2024-2029) in the University of Sydney School of Health Sciences. Jen was Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy (2018-2024), a multi-disciplinary centre whose mission is to make life better for people with disability by translating research to policy and practice. Her research focuses on disability and mental health policy, particularly in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Jen works closely with people with lived experience of disability and has a strong interest in critical theoretical approaches to policy analysis.
