Celebrating mental health research at the 2026 Mental Health PhD Program Conference

Emerging researchers have an important role in building knowledge that can inform the future of mental health treatment, care and support. Supporting them to explain their work and its relevance is an investment in that future, and a practical step towards connecting research with policy and practice.

The Collaborative Centre partnered with the University of Melbourne’s Mental Health PhD Program (MHPP) at its 2026 conference, held on 15 and 16 October. Across two days of presentations, discussion and connection, PhD students shared their research, exchanged ideas and connected with colleagues from across the university’s mental health research community.

The program showcased the breadth of mental health research underway at the university, with a keynote presentation from Associate Professor Katrina Witt.

Making research accessible

Communicating research clearly is an important skill for emerging researchers. It helps people outside a researcher’s field understand the questions being explored, why they matter and how findings might inform decisions.

As part of our collaboration with MHPP, the Collaborative Centre supported professional recordings of students’ three-minute research presentations. The short format challenges students to explain their research concisely and in language that a broader audience can understand.

Students responded positively to the initiative and valued having a professional recording they could use to share their work beyond the conference. These presentations offer an accessible introduction to emerging research, creating opportunities for wider discussion about its potential relevance to mental health and wellbeing.

Recognising students’ work

Congratulations to all students who presented at the conference, and to this year’s award recipients:

• Li Liu, Best Abstract
• Zahra Najjar, Best Poster
• Samuel Combes, Best Oral Presentation
• Jessica Hoffmann, Best Three-Minute Presentation

We thank Anna Schroeder and the MHPP organising team, University of Melbourne, presenters, judges and everyone who contributed to the conference.