What's on
October events
Sunset Sessions
Until December
Every Thursday and Friday from 4pm, head to the Patina at Alumni Court gardens to unwind, sip and savour the sunset. Enjoy live music, exclusive food, and drink in a relaxing atmosphere.
Health Matters Lecture Series: Supporting children with disability
Wednesday 15 October
Join the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences for an insightful panel discussion exploring how families, communities and practitioners can work together to support children with neurodevelopmental disabilities across key stages of life.
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ in STEM
Thursday 16 October
This event honours Alan Turing, an LGBTQIA+ icon, on the 75th anniversary of the Turing Test and celebrates LGBTQIA+ researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It features a poster session with presentations from LGBTQIA+ students and staff at UQ, followed by a public lecture on LGBTQIA+ mathematics.
Carers and Challenges: Creating Change for UQ and Beyond
Thursday 16 October
In recognition of National Carers Week, staff are invited to the Global Change Institute for a panel discussion and morning tea. Join the UQ Network for Carers of Children with Special Needs and Serious Chronic Illnesses to reflect on and share the personal journeys of our carers that shape careers, build resilience, and inspire positive change within UQ and beyond.
The Brisbane River: Conduit and Barrier
Friday 17 October
Join Peter Burnton, Arup Fellow and Adjunct Professor, for a talk exploring the Brisbane River’s natural environment, rich history, and how it has both united and divided communities. Discover how bridge design and riverfront development have evolved to meet community needs, tackle unique challenges, and deliver innovative solutions across the waterway.
Launch: Framework for Consumer and Community Involvement in Health Research
Friday 17 October
Join the official launch of the Framework for Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Health Research, a new guide designed to help health researchers embed meaningful consumer and community involvement across all stages of the research cycle. The framework was developed through a collaborative co-design process with Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) leads and consumers by the Health Translation Queensland led CCI in Research Alliance.
UQ Mayne Hall Organ Series with Christopher Wrench
Saturday 18 October
Join the School of Music for an engaging evening of music with an Organ Recital by Christopher Wrench on Saturday 18 October. Set in the stunning surrounds of the UQ Art Museum, this 70-minute program showcases the expressive power and grandeur of the Mayne Hall organ through masterworks by Bruhns, Bach, and well-known Brisbane composers including Lloyd Vick. Purchase tickets
Orientation for academics new to UQ
Monday 20 October
Academics who have started their first fixed-term or continuing role with UQ in 2025 are invited to attend this orientation. Hear from some of UQ’s leaders and understand the tools and systems that can support you in your role.
ScaleUP Showcase
Tuesday 21 October
Experience the high-energy UQ Ventures ScaleUP Showcase. Hear from ambitious founders, innovators, investors, and industry leaders collaborating to navigate growth and scale innovation in Queensland. The full-day program includes expert panels, breakout sessions, networking, and the ilab x Momentum Accelerator Pitch Night. Staff can purchase tickets with a 25% discount using code UQSTAFF-25V.
2025 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Annual Lecture
Thursday 23 October
The School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry invites you to join us for the 2025 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Annual Lecture delivered by Professor Marguerite La Caze. In this lecture, Professor La Caze examines how Simone de Beauvoir’s distinctions between happiness, independence and freedomin her book 'The Second Sex' illuminate Mia Hansen-Løve’s film 'Things to Come'.
UQ Professionals Network Conference
Thursday 23 October
The 2025 UQ Professionals Network (UQPN) Conference will be held at Indooroopilly Golf Club. This year’s theme, ‘Connected through purpose: Community as a catalyst for change’, explores how purposeful relationships and shared values drive personal growth, professional impact, and institutional change. To attend this full-day conference, sign up to be a UQPN member, then register for the conference using the link that is emailed to you.
Neurodiversity Colloquium
Friday 24 October
Join colleagues from across UQ for a full-day colloquium focused on advancing neurodiversity inclusion in higher education. This event will feature interactive sessions, peer-led discussions, and collaborative resource-building sessions to spotlight existing initiatives and share best practice to shape future directions for supporting neurodivergent students and staff. Whether you’re already working in this space or just beginning to explore it, your voice and experience are welcome.
Approaching Aged Care: Pro-Tips for Carers
Tuesday 28 October
Navigating the aged care system can be a daunting task for older people and those who support them. The choice to start in-home care – or to move into residential care – can be emotionally, administratively and medically complex. In this final Age-Ed seminar for 2025, 4 expert professionals will share their perspectives on supporting older people through the aged care journey.
The Annual Dust and Respiratory Health Forum
Thursday 30 October
The Annual Dust and Respiratory Health Forum brings together experts from around the world to showcase advancements and emerging trends in the management of dust and mine dust lung diseases. It aims to fosters collaborations and sharing of best practice to improve the health, safety and treatment options outcomes for mine workers affected by occupational dust lung diseases. The event is free to attend at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre or online.
Mapping Human Rights and SDGs in Queensland: A National Agenda
Thursday 30 October
At this webinar, Dr Kiah Smith will present findings from the first digital mapping of how Queensland civil society organisations contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project delivers Australia’s first SDG Data Observatory to strengthen collaboration, visibility, and rights-based SDG localisation by civil society.
UQ–IITD Industry Connect Workshop Series
Thursday 30 October, Thursday 13 November and Wednesday 19 November
Join UQ, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), and industry partners for the UQ-IITD Industry Connect Workshop Series. The series will serve as a catalyst for collaboration, bringing together leading researchers, industry leaders, and innovation stakeholders from Australia and India to explore new partnership models and co-innovation opportunities in energy, quantum, AI, and more.
November events
Teaching and Learning Week: Keynote and Indigenising curriculum showcase
Monday 3 November
The Teaching and Learning Week opening address will be presented by Professor Tracey Bunda. Professor Bunda's keynote will reflect on how far UQ has come in Indigenising curriculum. The opening address will be followed by a showcase about Indigenising curriculum.
UQ Respect Forum 2025
Tuesday 4 November
UQ Respect invites you to the 2025 UQ Respect Forum, a professional development opportunity for members of the UQ community to network, reflect and learn how to embed effective prevention into their work. This year's Forum will focus on creating an effective whole of university approach and reinvigorating approaches through best-practice across education and trauma-informed approaches.
2025 Jian Zhou Memorial Oration
Wednesday 5 November
This annual oration honours the memory of Dr Jian Zhou, who co-discovered the life-saving Gardasil vaccine for cervical cancer, alongside Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer AC. This year, the oration will feature keynote speaker Professor Emma Hamilton-Wiliams. Professor Hamilton-Wiliams will share her insights into the latest research on understanding the causes and new interventions to prevent type 1 diabetes. Affecting over 130,000 Australians, mostly children, with 8 people diagnosed every day. Despite insulin therapy, people with type 1 diabetes face a lifetime burdened with this disease losing on average 19 years of healthy life.
2025 QLD Decarbonisation Hub Forum
Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 November
Join the Hub's Annual Forum at JCU Townsville. Co-designed with Indigenous partners, this regional-focused event will drive Queensland's inclusive decarbonisation leadership through knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships. The forum will feature 2 days of interactive sessions, keynotes, and networking to create collaboration opportunities for researchers, government, industry, and community members navigating net zero transitions.
Webinar: engaging consumers early to build genuine partnerships
Thursday 6 November
Consumer and community involvement is increasingly recognised as essential for high-quality, impactful health research. But how do you engage consumers early, and in ways that feel genuine and sustainable? This session will bring together researchers from UQ, Griffith and QUT to share practical guidance on when and how to bring consumers into projects, tips for building relationships, managing expectations and ensuring fair compensation, as well as common barriers and enablers. Participants will gain clear takeaways they can apply in their own research settings.
Celebrating 80 years of innovation and impact at UQ School of Education
Monday 10 November
Join the UQ School of Education for a special celebration marking 80 years of innovation and impact. Look back on 8 decades of transformative education and look ahead to the future we’re shaping together. The evening will feature a panel discussion with visionary leaders, distinguished educators, and inspiring alumni and students, exploring the evolution of education and the exciting possibilities ahead. Following the panel, we invite you to a celebratory reception at Patina, located in the beautiful Alumni Court. Enjoy refreshments, connect with colleagues and friends, and explore exhibits highlighting important research over the decades, and honouring those who have shaped our legacy.
TropAg Conference 2025
Tuesday 11 November
UQ will host the fifth international TropAg conference at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane. Join global leaders addressing the biggest challenges in agriculture and food, with 540 delegates from 40+ countries already registered. Discounted registration is available for UQ staff ($990).
Darkness to hyper-visibility: Exploring promotional and creator cultures of social media
Thursday 13 November
Explore how visibility, branding, and algorithmic systems shape social media culture. This one-day symposium explores the visibility games at the heart of social media’s promotional and creator cultures. From influencers and everyday users to advertisers and automated algorithms, everyone on digital platforms is caught in the dynamics of being seen, being hidden, or being unknowingly profiled. What does it mean to be hyper-visible? What does it mean to stay in the algorithmic dark?
BEAT-CKD (Better Evidence and Translation in Chronic Kidney Disease) Workshop and Forum 2025
Sunday 19 November
Consumers, researchers, and health professionals are invited to attend an event focused on transforming kidney health policies. It will feature researchers Lilia Cervantes, MD, Director of Immigrant Health and Professor of Medicine (USA) and Sarah Bernays, Associate Professor in Global Health (Sydney).
2025 Skerman Lecture
Tuesday 21 November
Don’t miss the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences' annual Skerman Lecture presented by Professor Stephanie Gras, La Trobe University. She will discuss her team's investigation in immune responses to high-impact human viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and influenza, using structural biology to uncover the molecular mechanisms of immune recognition and protection.