1 & 2 May 2025
Deakin Downtown, Melbourne & Online via Zoom

 

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM

Celebrating 10 years!
The symposium is an annual opportunity for researchers to build and consolidate collaborations with other researchers and practitioners who work with fathers. The event is hosted by Deakin University (SEED Lifespan strategic research centre). A range of disciplines are represented.

Join us for keynote presentations, networking, and snapshot summaries that showcase research and father-inclusive programs from around Australia.

The symposium is organised by the Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium, which seeks to advance the science of fatherhood; inform practice and policy that supports men and their families; and, promote healthy inclusion of fathers in family life.

 
 
 
 

We invite you to join us to build effective collaborations so that we may further the evidence base on fathering.

The 2025 symposium will be a hybrid event held at Deakin Downtown (Melbourne) and Online via Zoom.

Day 1: May 1st - Keynote speaker Professor Brenda Volling (US), invited speaker Professor Anna Tarrant (UK), and research presentations.

Day 2: May 2nd - Reflection on the history of the AFRS by Associate Professor Richard Fletcher (AUS), keynote panel and research presentations.

Registration is essential.

Key Dates

1 November 2024 - Registrations open

1 November 2024 - Abstract submissions open

16 December 2024 - Abstract submissions close

23 April 2025 - Final date to process registration refunds

24 April 2025 - Registrations close

REGISTRATION

In-person (non-student, includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea): $185

Student concession in-person (includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea): $145

Online (non-student full rate): $125

Student concession online: $85

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

Both researchers and organisations are invited to submit abstracts summarising proposed or completed research, applied programs, or organisation descriptions. Accepted presentations and posters will be shared by presenters in-person or via zoom screen share.

Please structure your abstracts under the following headings: 

·         Research presentation: Background & Aims, Method, Results, Conclusion &/or Implications;

·         Program or Organisation description presentation: Background/Aims, Description, Impact.

Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words.

Please note: Organisational presentations are only accepted from not-for-profit or government organisations.

Oral presentations are limited to 10 minutes (maximum of 10 slides) and poster presentations are limited to 3 minutes (1 slide). Each presentation or poster session will be chaired with time for discussion at the end of each session. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

PROF. BRENDA VOLLING

How do fathers matter for young children's development? Let us count the ways!

Brenda Volling is a developmental psychologist and the Lois Wladis Hoffman Collegiate Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on early social and emotional development with infants, toddlers and preschoolers, parent-child interaction, and family relationships, with a special interest in fathers. She works mostly with young fathers during the perinatal period and the transition to fatherhood and studies men’s mental health, father-child relationships, and coparenting.  She has received funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD for her research and was the recipient of a career development award from NICHD. Her research has been showcased on CBS Sunday Morning, the BBC, the Washington Post, New York Times, and Parents magazine. Currently, she is working on psychoeducational supports for parents undergoing the transition to parenthood and the birth of a second child, as well as programs to support fathers with young children. In recent years, she has provided fatherhood researchers with critical ‘state of the field’ summaries, synthesising knowledge, gaps and directions for future work.

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/145283/cdep12275.pdf

https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mono.12404

https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2021-62238-001.html

INVITED SPEAKER

PROF. ANNA TARRANT

Co-creating a father-inclusive practice and policy ecosystem: insights from young fathers and family support in the UK

Anna Tarrant is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lincoln in the UK and Director of the Centre for Innovation in Fatherhood Research. Established in 2023, the Centre aims to support and promote cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research that underpins research, training, consultancy, and evaluation in the areas of father-inclusion and family welfare. Building from a UKRI funded Future Leaders Fellowship study called ‘Following Young Fathers Further’ (FYFF, 2020-27, £1.7 million), her work advances knowledge and expertise in family research and associated fields with a view to influencing academic, policy, and practice agendas both locally and (inter)nationally.

VENUE

Deakin Downtown: Level 12 / Tower 2, 727 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3008

 

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAIN

TRAM

  • Collins Square has a tram super-stop at its front door, offering frequent services in to the CBD and is within the Free Tram Zone. Other Tram stops close to Collins Square are located at the Flinders Street / Wurundjeri Way side of Collins Square (catch the City Circle Tram here) and Spencer Street and Collins Street intersection. Plan your journey on the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website.

CAR

  • Parking nearby is expensive unless you arrive before 10am and leave after 4pm, so it might be best to catch a taxi, tram or train. Secure parking is available nearby at: 664 Collins Street, Melbourne; or at 700 Collins Street, Docklands.

MYKI CARDS

  • To use trams, trains and buses around Melbourne you’ll need to buy a Myki card. These can be purchased at any train station. Southern Cross Station is a 3 minute walk from Deakin Downtown. Myki cards are very easy to use, just top up credit or buy a pass at a shop or station, then touch-on once you’ve boarded the tram or bus – or touch-on and off to get through the barriers at train stations. Visit the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) Myki site.

ACCOMMODATION

Travelodge docklands 

  • Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands is located centrally in the Docklands area, adjacent to Southern Cross Station and just a six minute walk to Deakin Downtown. Etihad Stadium and Melbourne Aquarium are all nearby. Visit the Travelodge Hotel website for more information.

BATMAN’S HILL ON COLLINS

  • Batman’s Hill on Collins is a historical hotel located directly opposite Southern Cross Station. It is only a 6-minute walk from the hotel to Deakin Downtown. Visit the Batman’s Hill on Collins website for more information.

THE SAVOY HOTEL ON LITTLE COLLINS

  • The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins is a highly rated accommodation on Trip Advisor and located opposite Southern Cross Station. And just an 8 minute walk along Collins Street to reach Deakin Downtown. Visit the Savoy Hotel on Little Collins website for more information.

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

SkyBus

  • SkyBus offers an express bus service between Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Melbourne City for $22 per adult, one way. SkyBus also offers the free Sky Bus Link shuttle service to Melbourne City hotels from Southern Cross Station. Visit the SkyBus website for more information.

Taxi

  • Melbourne’s taxis are a convenient way to get from the airport to your destination. You can catch a taxi from designated taxi ranks located on the ground floor outside Terminal 1 and in the Terminal 4 Car Park. Visit the Melbourne Airport website for information on taxi ranks.

  • A trip from the Melbourne Airport to Deakin Downtown is estimated to cost from $70.

THINGS TO DO IN MELBOURNE

Museums, galleries, and zoos

Shopping and eating

Explore the region

  • If you are staying over the weekend, you can jump on a bus and visit the Yarra Valley for a winery tour and tasting.

For further information please contact -

AFRS Organising Committee
ausfatherhoodresearch@gmail.com