Research Festival Events
Week 1
Cairns
Research Exhibition: Cairns
An interactive showcase of JCU's research centres, institutes, infrastructure & societies
EduQuarium Tour: 11am session
A tour of the JCU Cairns EduQuarium Facility used for research and filming, open to the JCU and Cairns communities
Research Festival Launch: Cairns
Celebrate research achievements, connect with community, and access the full program
EduQuarium Tour: 1pm session
A tour of the JCU Cairns EduQuarium Facility used for research and filming, open to the JCU and Cairns communities
Behind the Research: Cairns
A Services Showcase and Social Event for JCU Professional Staff
Online
Publishing for Excellence: A workshop for Academics
Learn how to develop a strategic and targeted approach to scholarly publishing to maximise the reach and impact of your research outputs
Research Practitioner Guide for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Use Copilot, Researcher and Analyst to accelerate literature reviews, grants and research outputs, analyse data, enhance collaboration, and uphold research integrity across the research lifecycle
Townsville
Research Exhibition: Townsville
An interactive showcase of JCU's research centres, institutes, infrastructure & societies
Research Festival Launch: Townsville
Celebrate research achievements, connect with community, and access the full program
JCU Physical Sciences Society Research Night
Seminars and presentations showcasing research opportunities for JCU students
What I wish I knew about Research
Practical Tips and Tricks for HDR students and ECR staff to achieve impactful research
Resource Technology & Critical Minerals
Learn about research and progress being made under the Resource Technology & Critical Minerals Trailblazer Program
Shaping the Future of AI in Education
Centre for AI & Data Science Innovation workshop and showcase, with discussion, networking and collaboration opportunities
Week 2
Cairns
World Ecoacoustics Congress
Join the 6th World Ecoacoustics Congress (WEC) held in Cairns
Communications that cut through: Cairns
Professional Development workshop for staff who support communications across JCU
Celebrating Research Impact: Day One
Explore how ideas move from lab to market, how careers in research are evolving, & how industry and academia are working together
Celebrating Research Impact: Day Two
Industry Reverse Pitch, Industry in residence, Founders in Residence, and fireside chats
Online
Pitching and Writing for The Conversation
A workshop for JCU Researchers with insights from an editor from The Conversation
Pathways, Practice & Possibilities: Education Research Lightning Talks
Educators, teachers, and the public are invited to join JCU Education researchers for a dynamic panel featuring fast-paced lightning talks plus live discussion
Publishing with Integrity & Avoiding predatory practices: A workshop for academics
Learn to carry out due diligence, avoid falling victim to unethical publishing schemes, increase your awareness of emerging predatory trends in publishing, and protect your scholarly reputation
Townsville
Communications that cut through: Townsville
Professional Development workshop for staff who support communications across JCU
Innovation Showcase
This session will use showcases to examine the research to commercialisation pathway
Partnering with Industry
Researchers and Businesses discuss how and why to partner for successful research and commercial outputs
Crossing the Divide
The “Two Cultures” and the craft of research writing: A session for Researchers
Equity, Epidemics and Environment: Rick Speare Oration
A Public Health Leader’s Perspective on One Health in Queensland with Dr Marianne Gale,
Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) Industry Engagement Masterclass
A course for HDR, PostDoc, and ECRs to boost skills in industry and stakeholder engagement. Session offered as part of an 8-week course
The Art of Science & Bake your Research
Discover the creativity behind the research—explore artworks, crafts, and baked creations inspired by science, then vote for your favourite!
Week 3
Cairns
Research Infrastructure Showcase: Cairns
Explore opportunities, connect with facility managers, and see how JCU Infrastructure can support your research
Science in the Pub
Things that bite and sting: Talks from JCU Scientists then a trivia night at Macalister Brewing Co
Online
3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition: Live strean
One slide. Three minutes. Zero jargon. Live Stream: Watch the next generation of researchers think on their feet.
Open Access publishing: A workshop for Academics
Understand the benefits of open access publishing and how to make your research freely available to the public at no cost to you as an author
Townsville
Publish, Perish, or Prompt
A panel discussion on practical, ethical & other considerations for research in the Age of AI
Behind the Research: Townsville
A Services Showcase and Social Event for JCU Professional Staff
Research Infrastructure Showcase: Townsville
Explore opportunities, connect with facility managers, and see how JCU Infrastructure can support your research
3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
One slide. Three minutes. Zero jargon. Watch the next generation of researchers think on their feet.
3 Minute Thesis (3MT) After Party
Research done, party started. Head to the 3MT After Party for live music from Space Jam
Behind the Scenes: Coffee at JCU
Join Townsville Chamber of Commerce for a Behind-the-Scenes Coffee at James Cook University's Engineering and Innovation Place
Students & Professionals aligning, relating & knowledge-sharing (SPARK)
Featuring a panel discussion with seven recipients of the 2026 JCU Outstanding Alumni Awards