2024 OzGrav ECR Workshop & Annual Retreat

Overview & Registration

OzGrav is pleased to announce that this year we will be holding the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Workshop and Annual Retreat in Brisbane, Queensland.

The ECR Workshop is a two day event being held on campus at the University of Queensland on 9 & 10 December. A Chief Investigators meeting will also be held on 10 December at the same venue. The Annual Retreat is a 3 day event and will be held at the Rydges Southbank 11-13 December. Registration is now closed.

**Please note these events are only open to OzGrav members and invited guests**

Early Career Researcher (ECR) Workshop

​Date: 9 & 10 December 2024
Where: The University of Queensland, Level 3 Advanced Engineering Building, St Lucia 
Start Time: 9 Dec, 9:30am End time 10 Dec, 5pm (AEST).
(some of the program can be streamed for those that  cannot attend in person)
Please note a light breakfast, tea and coffee will be available from 8:30am each morning in the level 3  foyer area of the Advanced Engineering venue.

The OzGrav Early Career Researcher (ECR) Workshop is open to OzGrav PhD and Masters-by-research students and Postdoctoral researchers. It is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow OzGrav students/ECRs. The workshop will consist of interactive sessions, networking opportunities and team building activities.

Chief Investigators Meeting

Date: 10 December
Where: The University of Queensland , General Purpose South (Building 78), level 4 room 420, St Lucia Campus
Start time 9:30am End time 5pm (AEST)

Annual Retreat

​Date: 11, 12 & 13 December 2024
Where: The Rydges Southbank, (Podium Ballroom)  9 Glenelg Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
Start time: 11 Dec, 9am End time 13 Dec, 4:30pm (AEST)
(some of the program can be streamed for those that  cannot attend in person)
Please note a light breakfast, tea and coffee will be available each morning  from 8:00am at the Rydges in the Podium ballroom foyer.

The Annual Retreat will feature a mix of interactive sessions, scientific talks, keynote presentations, and professional development workshops, along with plenty of opportunities for networking and getting to know your OzGrav colleagues. Please note the different locations for the ECR Workshop & Retreat.

The Annual Retreat is open to OzGrav Postdocs, PhD and Masters-by-research students, Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, center administrators, Education and Outreach staff, and members of the OzGrav Scientific and Governance committees. If you are another category of OzGrav member such as an Associate Investigator, Affiliate, Honours or undergraduate student, who is keen to attend the retreat, please contact your node leader.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Accommodation

Location: Ibis Styles, 40 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane 
Dates: Rooms available from Sunday 8 December to Friday 13 December

A group booking has been arranged at the Ibis Styles Brisbane. Accommodation will be booked centrally, so please include your dates and specific requirements in the registration form. The hotel is a 16-minute walk to the Retreat venue and a short 7-10 minute walk to the ferry or bus terminal for those attending the ECR Workshop or CI meeting at UQ.

Check in time: 2:00pm
Check out time: 11:00am
luggage can be stored at the hotel upon check-out.

If you need to change or amend your accommodation after registering, please email Erin O’Grady at eogrady@swin.edu.au.

Accompanying family members :

Family, children, and partners are welcome to join the event. OzGrav will cover the accommodation costs & meals for children. Any additional costs incurred for a partners to join meals, dinners, social activities will not be covered.

​Room Incidentals

Upon check-in the hotel requires a security pre-authorisation of $50.00 per room from a credit card or a $100.00 cash deposit per room, per night from all guests.

Accessible accommodation

The Ibis Styles have accessible rooms available upon request. If you require an accessible room or you have any specific requirements for your accommodation please include this in your registration form. Alternatively you can contact Erin O’Grady eogrady@swin.edu.au or our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist Lauren Carter to discuss your requirements  further laurencarter@swin.edu.au.

Reception Entrance:

  • The rotating entrance door can be stopped and opened for anyone requiring it.
  • Alternatively, there is a standard entrance located to the right-hand side of the rotating door. Please note that this entrance has a step down.
  • The lobby area is tiled and carpeted surfaces.
  • Ramp entrance is available via the Ibis Styles back entrance on George St, which provides direct access to the lift area. This can be available to anyone upon request.
  • The lifts are accessible to all levels of the hotel.

Curb side Access:

  • Curb side access is available on the right-hand side of the hotel, directly from the road.

Dining:

  • The Social Restaurant and Bar is located on Level 1 of the hotel.
  • It is an open-plan, single-level restaurant with carpet flooring, where guests can casually dine or use as an ad hoc meeting place throughout the day and evening without needing a reservation.
  • Please note that this is not a designated area for our group and is open to the all hotel guests.

Accessible Rooms:

  • Accessible rooms are available upon request, and images of these rooms are available above.
  • These rooms include accessible bathrooms.

Flights

Flights will need to be arranged by each attendee in accordance with their own institution. Flight costs will need to be paid by each node. Please contact your node leader or administrator to confirm the best way to book your flights. 

To maximise attendance by our PhD students, OzGrav will centrally provide a subsidy of up to $400 per PhD student travelling from interstate to help cover flights and transportation. Each node can invoice OzGrav Headquarters for the relevant amount. 

If you are an invited affiliate or guest of OzGrav and not involved with one of our nodes please contact Erin O’Grady eogrady@swin.edu.au if you require any assistance in arranging your flights.

Transport

Transport to and from the airport should be arranged by attendees. The train from Brisbane’s Domestic Airport Station to Central Station is an economical option to a Taxi or Uber.

Getting to and from the ECR Workshop at UQ:

Public transport in Brisbane is an affordable way to travel to and from The University of Queensland. Fares have been reduced to a flat rate of 50 cents across all zones and modes on the Translink network throughout Queensland. We encourage attendees to use the bus or ferry for daily commutes to the ECR workshop and the CI meeting.

Option 1: Ferry

  • Directions via Google Maps
  • Use a contactless Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or digital wallet. Tap your card before boarding.
  • Ferries depart every 15 minutes
  • To UQ board the ferries labelled “UQ” from North Quay ferry

Option 2: Bus

  • Directions via Google Maps
  • Ticket Options:
    1. Paper Tickets: Available at fare machines at major stops like King George Square, Myer Centre, Cultural Centre, or UQ Bus Station.
    2. Go Card:
      • Purchase at many convenience stores and newsagents including 7-Eleven and Ezimarts (see link here locations to purchase ) or Brisbane Airport (Airtrain station or information desk).
      • Cost: $10 deposit + $5 minimum credit (Return your Go card at select retailers or at Brisbane Airport to receive your deposit back)
      • Tap on/off for easy travel.
      • To UQ from the hotel walk to King George Square and take the 66 bus to UQ Lakes station

For more details, visit Translink Journey planner

Getting to and from the Annual Retreat

Ibis Styles is located a short 16 minute walk from Rydges on Brisbane’s Southbank https://maps.app.goo.gl/oBMsqjiqfGSDSz4R9

Accessible Transport option

We can also arrange a maxi taxi or Uber  to and from the Retreat and Workshop venues each day to support any attendees unable to commute via public transport or walk.

Meals

Breakfast, tea and coffee will be provided each morning at the ECR Workshop and Annual Retreat venues.  Morning tea, lunch, & afternoon tea will also be provided throughout the day. Dinner for most days are to be covered by members themselves, please refer to program to see any after-event activities that might include dinner.

Conference Dinner

A conference dinner will take place on Thursday, 12 December, at Victoria Park and will include a surprise team activity! Bus transfers have been arranged to and from the conference dinner venue, with departures from the Ibis Styles Hotel at 6:00 PM and returning at 10:30 PM.

Location: Victoria Park / Barrambin Function Venue, Ballroom 309 Herston Rd, Herston QLD 4006, Map

Buses to depart Ibis Styles to Victoria Park Function Venue
Bus pick up point is outside the Old Treasury Building, please see google map here, it is the corner of George St and Elizabeth St (about 50 metres from Ibis Styles). Please be at bus pick up point no later than 5:55pm as the buses will depart at 6pm.

Our retreats are designed to be family-friendly, so partners and children are welcome to attend. While children’s meals are covered, any additional costs for partners to join meals, dinners, or social activities will be the responsibility of the individual. The fee for a guest or partner to attend the conference dinner is $110 AUD.

Childcare

Childcare can be arranged. Please indicate in your registration if you require childcare and we will liaise directly with you regarding options available.

Carer and Equity Assistance

We also take this opportunity to remind you that OzGrav have a Carer’s Grant open to all members, for more information please click here.

 

Accessibilty and support

Dedicated Quiet Space

A quiet space will be available at UQ and Rydges for attendees to utilise.

  • UQ Workshop: Room 224, General Purpose South Building, is reserved as digital detox space. We will ensure to remind participants at the start of the event of the location and any signage to use when the room is occupied. This room is a 3 minute walk from ECR Workshop location. Image of the room
  • Retreat: A hotel room at Rydges will serve as a quiet/sensory room for attendees to use. Details including room number and location will be made available at the start of the event and information and room key will be available at the registration desk.

Venue and accessibility details

The Rydges, Southbank Brisbane (Annual Retreat 11-13 Dec)

Entrance

  • Step-free access is available at the hotel entrance, which features a drop-off point with a dropped curb.
  • A clear path leads from the outdoor entrance to the indoor foyer.

Parking

  • Valet parking is available at $55.00 per vehicle per night.
  • Self-parking is not offered.

Conference Venue (Podium Room – Level 1)

  • Access the Podium Room via hotel lifts.
  • The venue is step-free, with carpeted floors and ample space for attendees.
  • The entrance features a double-door entry, and a registration table will be in the lobby area.
  • Casual seating is available in the Podium Lobby for attendee use.

Outdoor Terrace (Soleil Terrace)

  • The Soleil Terrace on Level 1 is accessible through automatic doors in the Podium Lobby.
  • The terrace features a tiled surface, and an elevated section with timber decking is reachable by stairs.
  • Casual seating is available in Terrace area for attendee use.

Additional Information

  • All tables in the cabaret-style seating will have clear visibility of the stage and screens.
  • A floor plan of the venue is available for reference, including the locations of lifts and bathrooms.

Venue and accessibility details

The University of Queensland (ECR Workshop 9 & 10 December)

 

Location:

Building Access:

  • There is ramp and stair access to the building.
  • Lifts are available to all levels within the building.

Parenting Room:

Foyer Seating:

  • The Level 3 foyer area offers ad-hoc seating available on a first-come, first-served basis for attendees.

Flooring:

  • The entire Level 3 and the Advanced Engineering Building feature hard flooring.

Bathrooms:

  • Restrooms and including accessible bathroom are available on Level 3.

Water Fountains:

  • Water fountains are available throughout the building, including on Level 3.

Quiet Room:

  • A quiet room is available for attendees to use. It will be located in Building 78, General Purpose South, Room 222 on the ground floor. This room is a 3-minute walk from the Advanced Engineering Building.

3-Minute Thesis Style Talks

3-Minute Thesis-Style Talks 

As part of the Annual Retreat program, we will be hosting 3-minute thesis-style talks.

  • All OzGrav members are welcome to present.
  • Talks will be 3 minutes long, though this may be shortened depending on the number of submissions.
  • Abstract submissions are now closed
  • You can see your allocated talk and session time via the abstract document embedded in the Retreat Program.

Call for Exhibitors: OzGrav Trade Show

As part of our Annual Retreat, we will host a dedicated one-hour session where groups can present exhibitor tables or posters. The OzGrav Trade Show is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your project, connect with OzGrav members, and explore collaboration opportunities. Whether you’re promoting a project for members to join, looking to host node visits, or planning a Busy Week within OzGrav, this event is an ideal platform to engage with and strengthen our vibrant research community.

To become an exhibitor, please submit your application using the form below. We look forward to seeing you at the OzGrav Trade Show!

Applications to request an exhibit have been extended.

OZGRAV TRADE SHOW APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Call for Project Ideas: Brainstorming/Sprint/Collaboration Sessions

We invite you to propose ideas for a 30- or 60-minute brainstorming/sprint/collaboration session focused on advancing a specific OzGrav project.
During this time, we’ll hold multiple parallel sessions where different teams can brainstorm and collaborate on targeted projects.

Applications to hold a brainstorming session are now closed.

Early Career Researcher (ECR) Workshop Program

Please note that this is a preliminary program and details including session facilitators will be updated in the coming weeks.

Annual Retreat Program

Please note that this is a preliminary program and details including session facilitators will be updated in the coming weeks.

Social Activities

Welcome reception, Sunday 8 December

Join us on Sunday afternoon for a welcome reception. Some finger food and beverages will be provided while you get to know your fellow Early Career Researchers! No pre-registration is required to attend.

Where: Level 1, The Social Restaurant and Bar
Ibis Styles Hotel, 40 Elizabeth Street Brisbane
When: 6pm-7:30pm

ECR Workshop Social Activities – 9 December

Join one of the fantastic social activities organised by the ECR Committee to connect with fellow OzGrav ECRs! Be sure to sign up for the activity of your choice and allocate yourself to a group for the scavenger hunt. The ECR Committee is excited to provide these fun opportunities to enjoy with your colleagues.

Option 1: Banana Life Scavenger Hunt
Location: FLOWSTATE  Southbank, Brisbane (map from ferry)
Start Time: 5pm-8pm
Designated contact person: Liana Rauf
Getting there: Please utilise Brisbane’s bus and ferry network to make your way back to Southbank, you can plan your trip via the Journey planner website. 
PLAYER INSTRUCTIONS

Get ready for “The Hustle,” a creative adventure game that blends elements of The Amazing Race, a classic scavenger hunt, Mission Impossible, and hilarious challenges. This fully facilitated event includes group activities, customized game content, and plenty of excitement.

  • What to Expect: Group activities, team bandanas, and prizes for the first and last teams, plus a presentation of the team’s creative content.
  • Mission Types: Creative challenges, trivia questions, brainteasers, puzzles, and head-to-head inter-team challenges.


Option 2: Woolloongabba Laser Force
Address: 55 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
Time: 6pm-8pm

Enjoy unlimited arcade games and thrilling laser tag with your OzGrav colleagues. Some food will be provided, and beverages can be purchased at the center’s bar. It’s a perfect way to have fun and bond with your fellow ECRs.

Getting there: Please utilise Brisbane’s bus network, you can plan your trip via the journey planner website

We will also arrange for card and board games at The Social Restaurant and Bar, located on level 1 at the Ibis Styles Hotel for anyone who prefers a more low-key activity. No sign-up is required for this option.

Activities evening, Tuesday 10 December

After Day 2 of the ECR Workshop and CI Meeting, join us for an afternoon of outdoor activities and board games! Whether you enjoy being active or prefer a more relaxed setting, there will be something for everyone to enjoy with your fellow OzGrav members.

The event will take place at one of UQ’s nearby sporting fields and will be followed by a BBQ dinner. We have also reserved the Viewpoint Room, which offers indoor seating.

What to bring:

  • Comfortable clothing
  • Appropriate footwear if you plan to participate in the outdoor activities

Location:

  • UQ Sporting Field 4 & Viewpoint Room
  • A 7-minute walk from the Advanced Engineering Building. View map here.

Morning Yoga Sessions: December 11-13

Join us for a rejuvenating morning yoga class at the City Botanical Gardens from 11- 13 December. The sessions will take place at the Palm Circle area. For those staying at the Ibis, please meet in the hotel foyer at 7:00 AM to walk over together. Brisbane local members are welcome to meet directly at the gardens. We will also provide some mats for use. All levels of yoga enthusiasts are welcome!

Carl Blair, Bailee Wolf & Tamara Davis will be your yoga instructors for the 3 days!

Southbank Beach Lagoon

Pack your bathers and enjoy a refreshing dip in the South Bank Beach Lagoon after the retreat sessions! Just a short walk from Rydges, this beautiful beach lagoon at South Bank is the perfect spot to cool off after a long, hot day.

Google maps location

Code of Conduct

We ask attendees to read and adhere to the the OzGrav Events code of conduct policy that outlines behavior that will not be tolerated. In particular:

  • Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments or jokes are not appropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. It also includes offensive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race or religion.
  • All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds.
  • Participants asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the sole discretion of the organisers without a refund of any charge.
  • You are welcome to engage with this event and your colleagues through social media, provided that your communications are respectful, appropriate for a professional audience, and adhere to the Code of Conduct. If you have questions or criticisms about a colleague’s research or presentation, we strongly encourage you to communicate that directly to your colleague rather than via social media. We also encourage you to only post things on social media about other people, which you would be comfortable saying to them in person.