Event | Defence Human Sciences Symposium 2026

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 2026 will be co-hosted by Adelaide University and the Department of Defence. It will be held from 17-19 November 2026 at Adelaide University (Magill Campus).

The theme for DHSS 2026 is “Accelerating Human Capability for Future Readiness” - In a time of heightened strategic competition and rapid technological change, this year’s Defence Human Sciences Symposium will examine how human sciences can help accelerate the Australian Defence Force's human capability for future readiness across an integrated focused force. The symposium will seek to explore personnel preparedness, resilience, performance, and sustainment, to ensure the ADF workforce is ready to adapt and respond to an increasingly complex operating environment.

Further details regarding event 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.

Call for abstracts

Call for Abstracts are now open.

Abstract submissions will close Monday, 20 July 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 "Accelerating Human Capability for Future Readiness" 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 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.

DHSS 2026 Organising Committee

DHSS 2026 Scientific Committee

Contact

Please email QFGT.QUFF@qrsrapr.tbi.nh should you have any questions.