Event | Defence Human Sciences Symposium 2025
The Defence Human Sciences Symposium (DHSS) is the principal Australian forum for those interested in the application of human sciences research to enhance Defence capability. DHSS 2025 will be co-hosted by University of Western Australia and the Department of Defence. It will be held from 02-04 December 2025 at the University of Western Australia, Perth.
The theme for DHSS 2025 is Human as a Capability: Delivering Faster, Better, Longer Effects through Human Sciences Research and Innovation - In the context of Defence, a capability is the power to achieve an effect where and when it is required, for as long as it is required. Humans are one of Defence's most critical capabilities. This year, the Defence Human Sciences Symposium will consider how human sciences research & innovation can increase the human potential of our combat power, maximising ADF resilience and readiness to gain a competitive advantage.
Further details regarding the DHSS 2025 Call for Abstracts, Registration and Scientific Program will be released on this page over the coming weeks and months. Please watch this space to keep up-to-date or you can stay informed by registering to the DHSS mailing list here.
Call for abstracts
Call for Abstracts are now open.
Abstract submissions will close Monday, 4 August 11:59pm (AEST).
The focus for DHSS is applied human sciences research with the potential to enhance Defence capability. Submissions that address the symposium's theme of "Human as a Capability - Delivering Faster, Better, Longer Effects through Human Sciences Research and Innovation" will be prioritised. Abstracts will be evaluated on their scientific innovation, Defence relevance and practical implications as well as their overall quality. The abstract text should make clear why the research is of interest to Defence, and what Defence might change or do differently based on the findings. Abstracts that fail to articulate Defence relevance and practical implications, or are not of sufficient quality, are unlikely to be accepted.
The scientific committee will consider submissions describing theoretical and applied research, as well as discussion papers. All Defence co-authored submissions should be classified no higher than OFFICIAL, Public Release. If conclusions are drawn from quantitative analysis, statistical methods and power analyses should be described in sufficient detail to allow assessment of the validity of those conclusions. This does not preclude the presentation of exploratory work or pilot studies.
Submission requirements
Abstracts should be prepared according to the abstract template and submitted through the abstract portal. This year we are inviting submissions for short (~10 minute) oral presentations and printed posters. Poster presenters can also present their work to the audience in a 2-minute poster pitch. Some contributors may be invited to give longer presentations, at the discretion of the Scientific Committee.
Contact
Please email QFGT.QUFF@qrsrapr.tbi.nh should you have any questions.
DHSS 2025 Organising Committee
|
Name |
Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Dr Stephanie Chen | Defence Science and Technology Group |
| Georgina Fatouros | Deakin University Events Management |
| Jess Holmes | Deakin University Events Management |
| Dr Denise Linnane | Defence Science and Technology |
| Prof. Shayne Loft | University of Western Australia |
| Stephen Pond | Defence Science and Technology Group |
| Dr Chris Stanton | Defence Science and Technology Group |
| Dr Onno van der Groen | Defence Science and Technology Group |
DHSS 2025 Scientific Committee
|
Name |
Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Prof. Siobhain Banks | University of South Australia |
| Dr Jason Bell | University of Western Australia |
| Prof. Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky | University of South Australia |
| Dr Stephanie Chen | Defence Science and Technology Group |
| Prof. Matt Cooke | La Trobe University |
| Dr Amanda Douglas | Deakin University & University of Melbourne |
| Prof Karina Jorritsama | Curtin University |
| Dr Matthew Lee | Victoria University & Deakin University |
| Prof Shayne Loft | University of Western Australia |
| Dr Denise Linnane | Defence Science Technology Group |
| Dr Rena Logothetis | Deakin University |
| Assoc. Prof. Luana Main | Deakin University |
| Dr Kane Middleton | La Trobe University |
| Stephen Pond | Defence Science Technology Group |
| Dr Peter Schumacher | University of South Australia |
| Dr Chris Stanton | Defence Science Technology Group |
| LTCOL Emma Williams | Australian Defence Force |
| Dr Onno van der Groen | Defence Science and Technology Group |
| Dr Crystal Yates | University of South Australia |
