The Sydney Southeast Asia Centre (SSEAC) invites you to the Sydney Southeast Asia Research Innovation Symposium on 18 November 2026, themed Connecting for Impact: New horizons in Southeast Asia research.

The event brings together SSEAC members and our external partners to celebrate research excellence, strengthen research capability and build new connections across the Southeast Asia research community.

The day will open with a dedicated HDR and EMCR Careers Seminar, followed by an afternoon Symposium for researchers at all career stages. Whether you specialise in Southeast Asia, are building regional partnerships or are starting your research journey, join us to share ideas and make new connections.

Program highlights:

• Hear Associate Professor Jonathon Hutchinson deliver a keynote on the current state of artificial intelligence and new technologies in Southeast Asia.
• Learn about major funding opportunities for international research in 2027, including Horizon Europe and new Australian Research Council (ARC) schemes.
• Build connections with researchers working in the same Southeast Asian country through breakout sessions led by SSEAC’s Country Convenors.
• Celebrate research excellence with the SSEAC Annual Awards, 2027 Seed Grant announcements, poster competition and highlights of SSEAC members’ achievements over the past year.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues across disciplines, share outstanding research and develop new avenues for collaboration. 

Nominate outstanding contributors to Australia–Southeast Asia engagement for the SSEAC Annual Awards, celebrating SSEAC members and our wider community.

The SSEAC Impact Award, SSEAC Leadership Award and SSEAC Early-career Award are open to SSEAC members in Australia and the region. From research and policy engagement to collaboration, mentorship and capacity building, these awards showcase those who have made a meaningful difference. 

To nominate a colleague, email sseac@sydney.edu.au with their full name, position, award category and a statement of up to 200 words outlining how their achievements meet the SSEAC Annual Awards Criteria. 

Nominations close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Awards will be presented at the Symposium on 18 November 2026.

Read about our inaugural awardees here and here, and nominate today!

The Symposium provides SSEAC members with an opportunity to showcase their Southeast Asia research. Posters will be displayed for viewing during the breaks.

If you have research you would like to share in poster format, complete the short poster expression of interest survey and submit it by Monday, 2 November 2026. A prize will be awarded for the poster with the most engagement!

Successful submissions will be notified by 4 November with final posters due by 10 November 2026 to allow time for printing ahead of the Symposium. Read the Poster Guidelines.

Inquiries can be directed to sseac@sydney.edu.au.

Event details