VicBioCon

🚨 ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS CLOSING SOON! 🚨 Abstract submissions close 31 October 2026 for #VicBioCon27, so make sure you get yours in before the deadline! Submit your abstract and find out more at: www.vicbiocon.com/abstracts

🎨 ARTIST ALLEY EOI NOW OPEN! 🎨 Expressions of Interest are now open for the #VicBioCon27 Artist Alley, where artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work to Victoria’s biodiversity community. 🦋🌱🐝 Find out more and submit your EOI here: www.vicbiocon.com/artists-alley

🌿SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR #VicBioCon27! 🌿 We’re currently looking for sponsors for VicBioCon 2027, check out our Sponsorship Information Brochure at www.vicbiocon.com/sponsors to find out more! 🐸🦎🌳 📷 Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera

Do you have a great workshop idea you'd like to pitch for #VicBioCon27? Submit it at www.vicbiocon.com/workshops to be a part of the conference! Workshop facilitators receive a portion of funds from ticket sales for their workshops! 📷 Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera

🚨ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS FOR #VicBioCon27 ARE OPEN!!🚨 find out more at www.vicbiocon.com/abstracts 🌱 Submissions close October 31st 🦇 See you in February!!

We're adding an extra day to #VicBioCon27!! Enjoy our workshop day on February the 16th, and then join us for THREE conference days from Feb 17th-19th!! Stay tuned for more updates coming very soon 🌱

31 Aug

🚨We have two BIG announcements!!🚨 VicBioCon is coming back to La Trobe University's Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus in 2027! AND... We're adding an extra day so you can enjoy #VicBioCon27 from the 16th-19th of February 2027! Stay tuned for more as we count down to Feb! 🐸🦘🌱🐟

29 July

We're counting down the days until #VicBioCon27! What topics would you like to see discussed at the conference? 📷 Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera

27 June

Join us for the VicBioCon Committee Open Day for snacks and a chat about what it's like to make VicBioCon happen! Register at the link below! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... 📷 Adam Purcell | @melbourneceilicamera

12 May

🍃Are you missing VicBioCon? Fear not! We have some fun events in the works, and we’re always looking for new faces to join the committee! If you’d like to join us and help shape #VicBioCon27, email us at vicbiocon@gmail.com, and stay tuned here for more announcements…🌱

3 Apr

🌿Introducing our brand new logo designed by Grace Smith (graceponders on instagram)! It features a leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, critically endangered), barred galaxias (Galaxias fuscus, endangered), and common heath (Epacris impressa, low risk).

27 Feb

Thank you Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera for photographing #VicBioCon26!! Visit melbourneceilicamera.org to see all the amazing moments he captured at the conference and purchase photos!

24 Feb

Thank you to all of the amazing sponsors at #VicBioCon26! Special thanks to: Unimelb for hosting us, Nature Advisory's sponsorship of the conference & coffee cart & the Natural Resources Conservation Trust for sponsoring the Bushland Conservation grant & VicBioCon Research grant!

Get ready for #VicBioCon26's next plenary speaker, Dr Bronwyn Hradsky! Bronwyn is a conservation ecologist whose work aims to improve the management of invasive predators and fire – two key threats to Australia’s native fauna. 🧵

She is based with the Quantitative and Applied Ecology research group at the University of Melbourne and currently holds an ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship.

Bronwyn’s research approaches include field experiments, agent-based simulation models and quantitative analyses. She enjoys working with students and land managers to address priority research questions and achieve real-world management outcomes.

We’re grateful to Nature Advisory for being one of our main sponsors of #VicBioCon26, as well as the sponsor of our coffee cart! Their support helps make this event possible, and we’re delighted to have them as part of this year’s conference. 🌿

16 Feb

We still have spots open for session judges at #VicBioCon26! Judging student talks gives a chance to celebrate their achievements & get constructive criticism. We welcome expressions of interest at vicbiocon@gmail.com from any non-students attending a session! Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera

16 Feb

Thank you to our workshop hosts Michael Wheeler and Astrid O’Connor for a great first day of #VicBioCon26!

15 Feb

We hope you're ready for #VicBioCon26 starting with our workshops tomorrow! Be sure to plan your trip to the venue with our guide at vicbiocon.com/venue 🌿We recommend sustainable transport options such as bus, bike or carpool!🚌🚲 📷 Adam Purcell | @melbourneceilicamera

15 Feb

At #VicBioCon26 you can expect signposted directions & lift access to all conference spaces, free masks at registration, Hearing Loops in all conference rooms + our friendly volunteers & committee members ready to assist with any questions! See vicbiocon.com/venue for more!

9 Feb

This is the last week to submit photos for the #VicBioCon26 photo comp before entries close at 11:59pm Feb 13th! Post with the hashtag #VicBioCon26Photo or email to vicbiocon@gmail.com, for the joy of sharing your photography, and for the chance at a prize! 📷 Yennifer Longo | Instagram: BotanyByYen

8 Feb

🚨Today is the last chance to get tickets for our 10th Anniversary Conference Dinner!🚨 Close out #VicBioCon26 with a private viewing of Science Gallery Melbourne's current exhibition “Distraction” plus a buffet dinner and drinks!🍾 vicbiocon.com/tickets

Introducing another panelist for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas", Therésa Jones! Therésa is a Professor in the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne. 🧵

She has contributed to State and National light pollution guidelines in Australia and is a member of the Network for Ecological Research on Artificial Light and Director (and Ecology committee chair) of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

You can hear Therésa's perspective on a variety of urban biodiversity topics at the first #VicBioCon26 panel on the 17th! Find out more on our program here: vicbiocon.com/program

Introducing another panelist for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas", Therésa Jones! Therésa is a Professor in the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne. 🧵

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

She is an evolutionary and behavioural ecologist who explores the ecological impact of light pollution. Her research has demonstrated the largely negative effects of artificial light at night on the behaviour and physiology of multiple animal species and their communities.

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

She works with external stakeholders to translate academic knowledge into real world solutions that mitigate the impact of light pollution for wildlife.

Introducing another panelist for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas", Professor Sarah Bekessy! An ARC Industry Laureate Fellow, she leads the ICON Science research group at the University of Melbourne which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

She developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol that has now been used by numerous developers, governments and non-government organisations to design innovative urban biodiversity strategies.

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

Sarah is a Lead Councillor with The Biodiversity Council, a Board member of Bush Heritage Australia and a member of the WWF Eminent Scientists Group. Sarah will join her fellow panelsist on the 17th of February- see more info on panel times on our program here: vicbiocon.com/program

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

She is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation, in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences and in defining and measuring ‘nature positive’ development.

🚨Only 3 days left to get tickets for the #VicBioCon26 Tenth Anniversary Conference Dinner!!🚨Don’t miss this rare opportunity to celebrate a milestone with us AND attend a private viewing of Science Gallery Melbourne’s current exhibition “Distraction”! Get your ticket at vicbiocon.com/tickets

Introducing Dr Holly Kirk, one of our panelists for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas"! Holly is an urban ecologist researching and teaching in the School of Design and the Built Environment at Curtin University, specialising in the application of ecology to urban planning and design. 🧵

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

Holly is currently developing an open-access tool to help decision-makers prioritise places and actions for urban biodiversity conservation, funded by an ARC Industry Fellowship. She is passionate about translating scientific theory into positive on-ground action for people and nature.

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

If you want to hear more from Holly, be sure to catch the panel discussion on the 17th! More info on our program here: vicbiocon.com/program

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

Holly works closely with industry and government, understanding how Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design (BSUD) can be implemented in different urban developments: from greenfield residential sites to high-rise inner-city buildings.

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

Her work on ecological connectivity modelling has been used to create biodiversity plans in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and the ACT.

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

An expert in spatial modelling and animal movement, for the last six years she has been using this skill to plan cities that support and enhance urban nature.

31 Jan

🚨Grant applications for #VicBioCon26 close TODAY!🚨 See more info and apply for project funding or conference attendance support at vicbiocon.com/grants 🌳 📷 Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera

vicbiocon.comVictorian Biodiversity ConferenceA conference that aims to provide graduate students and early career researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work locally.

30 Jan

🚨Less than two days left to apply for one of #VicBioCon26's three grants!🚨 If you need financial assistance accessing the conference, consider our Breaking Barriers grant, or check out our Research and Bushland Conservation grants for research funding opportunities! More info at vicbiocon.com/grants

28 Jan

Only a few days left to submit your application for the Bushland Conservation Grant, sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Trust! Check out T&Cs and apply for the grant at vicbiocon.com/grants/bushland-conservation 🌳

27 Jan

🌱Tickets for the #VicBioCon26 Conference Dinner are selling out FAST! Get yours by February 8th and enjoy dinner, drinks, and a private exhibition viewing at Science Gallery Melbourne to celebrate VicBioCon's 10th Anniversary!🍾 vicbiocon.com/tickets

16 Jan

This year, the 10th VicBioCon will wrap up with a conference dinner at Science Gallery Melbourne!🔭🎨 Grab your tickets now to attend a private viewing of their current exhibition “Distraction” plus a buffet dinner and drinks! #VicBioCon26 www.vicbiocon.com/tickets

27 Dec 2025

We're proud to announce the Bushland Conservation Grant, sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Trust!🌳 See more info and apply at vicbiocon.com/grants/bushland-conservation

24 Dec 2025

The #VicBioCon26 Breaking Barriers Grant supports presenters to make VicBioCon more accessible. If there are factors, challenges or concerns that make the conference less accessible to you, consider applying for the grant at vicbiocon.com/breakingbarriers

23 Dec 2025

If you're attending #VicBioCon26 & conducting a project within Victoria, consider applying for our VicBioCon Research Grant, sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Trust! For more information, visit vicbiocon.com/research-grant

6 Dec 2025

🚨TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR #VicBioCon26 at @unimelb.bsky.social!🚨 Attend the conference days (Feb 17th-18th), learn new skills at our workshops (Feb 16th), and attend our conference dinner at Science Gallery Melbourne (Feb 18th)! Head over to vicbiocon.com/tickets!

29 Nov 2025

Our photo competition for #VicBioCon26 is now open! 📸🦘 To enter, share your photo on Instagram using the hashtag #VicBioCon26Photo OR Email us your submission at vicbiocon@gmail.com. Find out more at vicbiocon.com/photo-comp 📸