'A Profound Reorganising
of Things'
International Conference

Monday 13 November – Wednesday 15 November 2023

At the University of Melbourne, Parkville campus (in-person).

Register via Eventbrite

About the conference

'A Profound Reorganising of Things’ will delve into how contemporary injustices are enmeshed in colonial power relations with a focus on the co-constitutive relationship between climate change and colonialism. The conference will bring together First Nations and settler scholars, policymakers and public servants, artists and community organisations to build relations, share knowledge, and respond to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

The conference seeks to examine what might inform, shape, and give life to a radical reorganisation of our social, political and economic worlds. It invites participants to consider how contemporary injustices are enmeshed in relations of colonial power and explore how we might (re)imagine – and indeed already are (re)imagining – more just futures.

The program will include a variety of keynote sessions and speakers, panel discussions across multiple streams, interactive workshops and dedicated time for networking and relationship building. The conference will also include a film screening, performances and poetry readings.

Broad topics for exploration

  • Sovereignty, Country and Climate
  • Flood and fire, food and medicine
  • A profound reorganising of relations to land (and each other).
  • Economy and Innovation – renewable energy on Country
  • Climate justice, climate and justice
  • Futures, futurity and the next generation

Keynote speakers

  • Dr Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

    Dr Leanne Betasamosake Simpson headshot

    Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer and artist Dr Leanne Betasamosake Simpson teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning in Denendeh. Their work crosses the intersections of politics, story, and song—bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity. Dr Simpson is widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation.

  • Professor Michael Shawn Fletcher

    Professor Michael Shawn Fletcher headshot

    Wiradjuri geographer and scientist Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher is Director of Research at the Indigenous Knowledge Institute, University of Melbourne. Their research concerns the long-term interactions between humans, climate, environmental disturbance, and vegetation at local, regional and global scales.

  • Professor Rauna Kuokkanen

    Professor Rauna Kuokkanen headshot

    Sámi scholar Professor Rauna Kuokkanen is Professor of Arctic Indigenous Studies at the University of Lapland (Finland) and Adjunct Professor of Indigenous Studies and Political Science at the University of Toronto. Their research focuses on comparative Indigenous politics and law, Indigenous feminist theory, Arctic governance, and settler colonialism.

Sponsors and Partners

We’re looking for like-minded organisations and sponsors to help us provide a wonderful conference experience, but which delivers profound discussion on the radical reorganisation of our social, political and economic worlds.

We’re also calling on First Nations-led and community organisations, teams and groups to join us as community partners to participate and help spread the word about ‘A Profound Reorganising of Things’.

A range of support, collaboration and partnership options are available.

If you or your organisation is interested in discussing collaboration opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Eleanor Benson at aust-centre@unimelb.edu.au.

Registration information

Dates

Monday 13 November – Wednesday 15 November

Location

‘A Profound Reorganising of Things’ Conference will be held at the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Theatre, Arts West Building, Parkville campus, University of Melbourne.

Registration

Register via Eventbrite

Registration fees

Full: $300 +GST
Student/unwaged: $80 +GST
Indigenous participants: Free

  • The conference is free to all First Nations participants. Please register your attendance through our EventBrite page.
  • We do not want cost to be a barrier to participation.
  • For individuals who are unable to meet the $80 unwaged/student price, please contact us at aust-centre@unimelb.edu.au to discuss whether further concessions may be available.
  • Further concessions and discounts can be negotiated for community organisations. Please contact us at aust-centre@unimelb.edu.au to discuss funding opportunities.
  • Group discounts may also be available. If you have 5 or more people from your organisation attending, please contact us at aust-centre@unimelb.edu.au before you purchase your tickets.
  • Participants are responsible for their own travel/accommodation costs.

Accommodation and travel options

There a several privately run accommodation options located within walking distance of the Parkville campus. These include:

On campus short stay accommodation options include:

Program

View the conference program

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Centre is located at the University of Melbourne, Parkville campus, on unceded Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung land. We acknowledge Country and the people belonging to Country, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Traditional Owners, and we value our continuing relationship with you and your on-going care for Country. We thank the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation for your generous and ongoing contributions to the Australian Centre.

We also acknowledge that the University of Melbourne has campuses on Country of other First Nation groups, and we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Parkville, Southbank, Werribee and Burnley campuses, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples; the Yorta Yorta Nations, whose Country the Shepparton and Dookie campuses are located, and the Dja Dja Wurrung Nations, Melbourne University’s Creswick campus location.

The Australia Centre acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and First Nations peoples whose work, lives and Country intersect with ours. We acknowledge that invasion and colonisation has caused harm that is on-going to First Peoples.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where and when will the 2023 conference be held?

    The Australian Centre’s first conference 'A Profound reorganising of Things’ will be held 13 – 15 November 2023 at the Arts West Building, Parkville Campus. The location situated on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation. The address for the University of Melbourne is 148, Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052

  • What is the conference theme?

    The theme of 'A Profound reorganising of Things’ will examine what might inform, shape, and give life to a radical reorganisation of our social, political and economic worlds. It invites participants to consider how contemporary injustices are enmeshed in relations of colonial power and explore how we might (re)imagine – and indeed already are (re)imagining – more just futures.  
    The conference will explore topics including: Sovereignty, Country and Climate; Flood and fire, food and medicine; A profound reorganising of relations to land (and each other); Economy and Innovation – renewable energy on Country; Climate justice, climate and justice; Futures, futurity and the next generation. Learn more about the theme.

  • Who is running 'A Profound reorganising of Things’?

    The conference is being organised by The Australian Centre in partnership with Murrup Barak. The conference steering committee comprises scholars from the University of Melbourne, they are Professor Sarah Maddison (The Australian Centre), Dr Julia Hurst (The Australian Centre), Kirsten Hausia (Murrup Barak), Dr Erin O’Donnell (Melbourne Law School/ Birrarung Council), Dr Cameo Dalley (Indigenous Studies Program), Associate Professor Peter Christoff (School of Geography).

  • What is the conference all about?

    The program will include a variety of keynote sessions and speakers, panel discussions across multiple streams, interactive workshops and dedicated time for networking and relationship building. The conference will also include a film screening and an afternoon full of performances and poetry readings.

  • Is the conference only for First Nations people from Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand?

    No - 'A Profound Reorganising of Things’ is open to everyone. It is designed to bring together students and researchers, public sector employees, artists, community organisations, and anyone else interested in the themes.

  • Can I stream conference sessions online and/or join remotely?

    Yes – there will be a live stream online ticketing option for 'A Profound Reorganising of Things'. However, live streaming access will be limited to the keynote and plenary sessions held in the main theatre. We will endeavour to make recordings of some of the other sessions available online after the conference has concluded. Further details on the online ticketing option will be made available shortly.

  • How do I register for the conference now and how much does it cost?

    Early-bird registration is now open.

    The registration costs are:

    Early-bird: $250 +GST (closes 1 September 2023)
    Full: $300 +GST
    Student/unwaged: $80 + GST
    Indigenous participants: Free

    The conference will be free to all First Nations participants.

    We do not want cost to be a barrier to participation so concession tickets and discounts can be negotiated for community members and organisations. Please contact us at aust-centre@unimelb.edu.au to discuss funding opportunities.

  • Can I pay using a credit card?

    Yes – payment is required by credit card at the time of booking via the Eventbrite page.

  • We'd like to partner with or support ‘A Profound Reorganising of Things’ Conference, how can we get in touch?

    We are looking for partners, sponsors and community collaborators to help deliver a wonderful conference. If you or your organisation are interested, we’d love to hear from you. Please read the Sponsor and Partner information.