8-14 September 2025

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A Youth Mental Health Crisis? Kids These Days, the Exhausted Middle, and the Divided World

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Presenters: Will Dobud, PhD (Charles Sturt University) and Nevin Harper, PhD (University of Victoria, Canada) Abstract: Amid rising concerns about a so-called youth mental health crisis, this presentation challenges simplified narratives and explores the deeper social, cultural, and relational dynamics impacting the well-being of youth. We’ll explore how systemic pressures create a divided world for young people to navigate. From labeling and overprotection to social media saturation and adult interference. Will and Nevin discuss the "exhausted middle" concept: parents, therapists, educators, and adults caught between institutional demands and the urgent needs of youth. Rather than pathologising kids, this talk invites a compassionate response that sees youth mental health not as an individual failure but a collective responsibility. About the Presenters Will Dobud, PhD, MSW has over 20 years of therapeutic experience working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds across the US, Australia, and Norway. Will is currently a Senior Lecturer of Social Work with Charles Sturt University and a friend of the Outdoor Therapy Centre for Research and Practice. He has developed innovative programs that integrate psychotherapy and the outdoors to improve teenagers' experience when seeking mental health treatment. A dedicated, award-winning researcher and senior social work lecturer, Will explores ways […]

Free

Mapping Clinical Trials in Outdoor Therapy

Virtual , Australia

Presenter: Andi Dickmeyer Abstract: Andi’s presentation explores the integration of clinical practice with outdoor and nature-based therapies. Drawing on findings from a recent scoping review of 58 clinical trials involving adult populations, the presentation examines key features of current research, including trial design, type of outdoor therapy intervention and intensity, targeted populations, assessment measures, facilitator qualifications, and methodological quality. By mapping the existing landscape of outdoor therapy trials delivered by mental health professionals, this work aims to highlight strengths, identify gaps, and offer recommendations for advancing rigorous research in this field. About the Presenter: Andi Dickmeyer (she/her) is a psychologist and PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle investigating outdoor therapy interventions for men with low mood. Andi has explored the intersection of nature connection and mental health through outdoor therapy practices including adventure therapy, wilderness therapy, forest bathing, nature art, and guided solo practices internationally through a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship from the United States.

Free

Yarning Circle

Virtual , Australia

To create a welcoming and supportive space where women can come together to engage in meaningful conversation (“yarning”) focused on mental well-being, self-reflection, and personal empowerment. This one-off session will invite women to reflect on their unique strengths, achievements, and the possibilities ahead. Through guided discussion and gentle prompts, we aim to uplift, connect, and build confidence in a safe environment. A brief pre- and post-session reflection (5 questions) will help us understand the impact on participants’ confidence and mindset.

Free

The No-Talk Conversational Approach to Healing Stuff

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Presenter: Graham Pringle, PhD (The School of Therapeutic Practice) Abstract: The Conversational Model (Meares) struts onto the therapy stage, ready to fix complex trauma with some serious swagger! We're diving into how complex trauma (ISSTD) messes with your head-body-self, leaving dissociation like a bad heckler in your skin and in your brain. Forget boring talk therapy; this model’s all about riffing with actions, expressions, and active listening, reacting to every vibe the person throws. For anyone tired of talk-talk-talk "tell how you feel about that?", this is your ticket to a trauma-busting, non-talk conversational approach! About the Presenter: Dr Graham Pringle, PhD, MA (Outdoor Education), Dip Soc Sci (Psych), Dip Ed, Dip Child Youth & Family, CIV Adventure-Based Youth Work, conducts the research about youth and complex trauma, trains adults, and presents his research at conferences domestically in Australia and internationally. He has experience in residential care, youth work, foster care, outdoor therapies, outdoor leadership, and teaching.

Free
Featured

The Great Debate: That Australia’s history unites us

National Library of Australia Parkes Pl W, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Academy of Social Sciences in Australia

A Social Sciences Week special event Tuesday 9 September 4pm Student Debate 5pm Refreshments Hour (drinks and light supper included in ticket price) 6pm The Great Debate Join us for an evening of compelling debate as six of Australia's premier academics tackle the complex question of whether Australia's history unites us. TEAM AFFIRMATIVE: ⭐️ Georgina Downer GAICD, CEO of the Robert Menzies Institute, ⭐️ Professor Jakelin Troy FASSA, Director, Indigenous Research at University of Sydney, and ⭐️ Professor Frank Bongiorno AM FASSA, Professor of History at The Australian National University. TEAM NEGATIVE ⭐️ Professor Michelle Arrow FASSA, president of the Australian Historical Association, ⭐️ Vonda Malone, former CEO of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, and first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council, ⭐️Professor Dan Woodman FASSA, TR Ashworth Professor in Sociology at the University of Melbourne . PLUS Join us from 4:00pm for an East vs West showdown, as the winners of our Seriously Social Great Student Debate Competition present their positions on the topic. Travelling to us from central Queensland, we have Calliope State High School and from Western Australia we have Carmel Adventist College. Hear fresh perspectives from the bright minds of tomorrow. The Great Student Debate is proudly sponsored by University of Canberra. Don't miss this thought-provoking event, packed with […]

$20

A Conversation about Feedback and Deliberate Practice in Therapy

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Presenter: Cindy Hansen (Holistic Research Canada) Abstract: In this interactive session, Will Dobud interviews Cindy Hansen, Chief Science Officer at Holistic Research Canada, focusing on how Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT) and Deliberate Practice (DP) can enhance practice and improve outcomes for those practices in outdoor therapy. With over 20 years of experience, Cindy's innovations in psychotherapy technologies offer valuable insights into improving treatment effectiveness, which will be discussed in relation to outdoor therapy and all therapeutic work. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Cindy questions about developing systems to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness. About the Presenter: With over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing groundbreaking psychotherapy technologies, Cindy Hansen has established a solid reputation for award-winning innovations that enhance treatment effectiveness at both the individual and system levels within the healthcare industry.

Free

School of Information and Communication Studies Research Seminar: Research Commercialisation with Associate Professor Hamid Jamali

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Associate Professor Hamid Jamali will present his recently published research on the literature about university-industry collaboration (UIC) and research commercialisation in Australia, focusing on benefits, challenges, and strategies for enhancement. Contact Dr Kay Oddone koddone(at)csu.edu.au  to be added to the distribution list for further information including details for the virtual session.

Free

Giving Youth Something to Imitate: Positive Males Working with Kids in the Outdoors

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Presenter: Doug Moczynski Abstract: Have you ever paused to consider how the young people you work with perceive you? Through your words, actions, and presence, the example you set shapes what meaning they make from their experience. Are you actively creating emotionally safe-enough environments? Do you genuinely model informed consent and respect young people’s agency? With family violence on the rise in Victoria, Australia, now is a decisive moment for male leaders in the outdoors to reflect on the kind of example that they set. Our words and actions matter. Truly inclusive experiences require self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and intentional practice. In this presentation, Doug explores the art of engaging with young people (outdoors or in), right down to the subtleties of body language and tone of voice. Join us for an outdoor, interactive virtual workshop where everyone is welcome. Together, we’ll reflect, listen, and lead with greater clarity about what it means to be emotionally, physically, and culturally inclusive male leaders in the outdoors. We all have room to grow. Let’s do it together. About the Presenter: Doug works therapeutically with youth and tries to inspire other grown-ups to do the same. An adventurer at heart, Doug loves to share […]

Free

Translational Criminology Seminar Series—Deepfakes, Cryptocrime and Risk Management: Strategies for a Safer Digital Future

Virtual , Australia +1 more

UTS Criminology

AI-powered deepfakes and cryptocurrency-related crimes are escalating cyber threats, creating significant challenges for risk management and crime prevention. High-profile cases, such as the $25 million Arup fraud in Hong Kong and the nearly $1.5 billion Bybit hack, demonstrate how these technologies enable sophisticated scams, including phishing, large-scale theft and money laundering, globally. This research seminar explores how deepfakes and cryptocrime exploit vulnerabilities such as inadequate verification systems and overreliance on digital communication. Drawing on criminology, behavioural science and emergency management, it proposes interdisciplinary strategies, community education, digital literacy and critical thinking training, and enhanced security measures like multi-factor authentication, to address these risks. These approaches aim to equip individuals, organisations and societies to build resilient systems for a secure digital future.

Free

Therapy Was Never Supposed to Be This Boring: The Lost Spirit of Pragmatism

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Presenters: Will Dobud, PhD & John Paul Healy, PhD Abstract: This presentation examines how contemporary therapy strayed from its pragmatic and experiential foundations, becoming increasingly techno-rational, standardised, and disconnected from lived experience. Once grounded in the dynamic, socially engaged ethos of pragmatism championed by figures such as Jane Addams and John Dewey, therapeutic practice is now often reduced to technical interventions and narrow, evidence-based protocols (or worse, manuals). Revisiting the principles of experiential learning and critical reflective practice, this session explores efforts to restore therapy’s original spirit, which values context, creativity, and human connection. Through the presenters’ experiments of reintroducing pragmatist ideas into social work education and practice, it becomes possible to reimagine therapy as a vibrant, responsive process rooted in real-world challenges and collective growth. About the Presenters Will Dobud, PhD, has over 20 years of therapeutic experience working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds across the US, Australia, and Norway. He has developed innovative programs that integrate psychotherapy and the outdoors to improve teenagers' experience when seeking mental health treatment. A dedicated, award-winning researcher and senior social work lecturer, Will explores ways to enhance the experience and effectiveness of mental health supports and advocates for youth impacted by the […]

Free

Learning by Doing, Leading by Being: Experiences of University Students in Walkabout Training

Virtual , Australia

Charles Sturt University

Presenters: Mark Cartner, Sam Harris, & Josh Heins Abstract: Walkabout Training offers bespoke outdoor therapeutic interventions in Queensland. The organisation was founded by an experienced youth worker with a background as a detective and extensive experience in child protection. For two years, Walkabout Training has welcomed engagement from social work students, fostering deeper learning and student engagement. Featuring reflections from social work students who undertook workplace learning through the Walkabout Training program, alongside program founder Mark Cartner, the session highlights the value of co-creating learning experiences with those new to the field. Rather than treating students as passive learners, Walkabout Training positions them as active contributors to organisational culture. The result is a dynamic exchange where university students gain rich, embodied learning and organisations benefit from fresh insight, energy, and reflective practice. This model invites a rethinking of how placement, pedagogy, and purpose intersect in outdoor therapy contexts. About the Presenters Mark Cartner is the founder of Walkabout Training, an Indigenous-owned business that offers tailored outdoor education programs for at-risk youth. With 25 years as a police officer, including two decades in child protection, Mark brings deep expertise in supporting young people through trauma. He spent 10 years working in Indigenous […]

Free

Reel Migration

Virtual , Australia

Reel Migration is a participatory workshop that explores the intersections between migration and visual representation through the lens of sociological inquiry. Drawing on key concepts from migration studies including displacement, exile, belonging, and visibility, the workshop examines how fiction films can inform the visual representation of the real in sociological research. Participants will engage in close visual analysis and critical discussion of selected scenes from Far From Home (Sohrab Shahid Saless), News from Home (Chantal Akerman), Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (Rainer Werner Fassbinder), and The Suspended Step of the Stork (Theo Angelopoulos). The workshop will focus on how cinematic mise-en-scène can be translated into tools for representing the real in sociological research. Participants will then reflect on their own research or lived experiences of migration and develop a short storyboard imagining how these narratives could be communicated visually. Key Themes Visual storytelling as sociological method The workshop treats fiction films as more than narrative examples. They are used as tools for generating sociological insight and representing migrant experience through formal cinematic choices. Reflexivity in visual representation Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own positionality, and aesthetic decisions. This supports a reflexive approach to how migrants are seen and […]