What happens when academic research actually listens to the people it’s meant to help?
At this year’s Australian Homelessness Conference, in Concurrent 1 on Wednesday 7 October, we’re bringing together four leaders who are doing exactly that – Professor Robyn Martin (RMIT), whose groundbreaking study asked what it really means to put lived experience at the centre of policy and service design; Gwion Cain (Mission Australia), whose 15 years working alongside First Nations communities in remote Queensland reshaped how he thinks about culturally safe support; Professor kylie valentine (UNSW), who’s challenging the sector to move past “tech as saviour or scourge” thinking; and Associate Professor Stephen Whelan (University of Sydney), whose new data analysis could change how we understand what actually triggers homelessness.
From a refuge job that shaped two decades of research, to a Men’s Shed that succeeded where formal mental health services couldn’t, to a dataset big enough to reveal patterns we’ve never seen before – these are the stories behind the research shaping tomorrow’s frontline responses. Curious how their findings could reshape your own practice? Read the article to find out what each speaker will bring to the stage.
Attendees at previous Australian Homelessness Conferences told us they wanted to hear more from researchers, and how research can be tailored to work with the sector, rather than dictating to it. We listened.
This session brings together three of Australia’s most prolific university research leads and a regional leader from Mission Australia, to explore how academia, homelessness services, and people with lived experience can partner in research — turning shared efforts and insights into strategies that move the needle.
There are 150+ speakers presenting at Australian Homelessness Conference 2026 in Darwin on 7-8 October.
Conference registration includes access to all plenary, major concurrent and concurrent sessions, as well as the Welcome Reception at the end of day one (two-day registrations only). A range of registration packages are available, with reduced rates for not-for-profits, concession and lived-experience attendees, and groups of 3 or more.