Australian Leadership Development Summit 2027

Australian Leadership Development Summit 2027

Insight to Impact: Celebrating and Advancing Leadership Development in Australia and Beyond

The Australian Leadership Development Summit is Australia's leading gathering for leadership development practitioners, researchers, educators, and consultants.

Across three days, the Summit will explore the ideas, research and practices shaping leadership development today and into the future. Delegates will engage with contemporary challenges, emerging evidence, innovative approaches and new perspectives from across sectors.

Designed to bridge research and practice, the Summit creates space for meaningful collaboration between those who are researching, designing, delivering and/or procuring leadership development.

Whether you are developing leaders within organisations, conducting research, facilitating learning experiences, coaching emerging talent, or driving change in communities, the Summit offers an opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas and contribute to the advancement of leadership development in Australia and beyond.

The Summit is being delivered in collaboration by Leadership Victoria and RMIT University.

Summit Program

Speaker announcements will be released progressively in the lead-up to the Summit.

Day 1: Opening Plenary

Monday 8 February 2027 | 3:00pm - 7:30pm | Queen Victoria Women's Centre, Melbourne

The Summit opens with an afternoon and early evening plenary designed to set the scene for the conversations ahead.

Through keynote presentations and provocations, delegates will explore what characterises and influences leadership in Australia today and consider what our changing context demands of tomorrow's leaders.

Key themes include:

• The changing realities of leadership in contemporary workplaces and communities

• The opportunities and challenges shaping leadership today

• Leadership in times of complexity, disruption and uncertainty

• The capabilities needed to move from surviving to thriving

• Emerging trends influencing leadership development in Australia and globally

The Opening Plenary concludes in facilitated networking, with refreshments, to foster meaningful connections, encourage collaboration, and help delegates identify shared interests that can be explored throughout the Summit.

Day 2: In the Work

Tuesday 9 February 2027 | 8:30am - 5:00pm | RMIT University

A highly interactive day focused on the realities and intersections of leadership development practice and research.

Through facilitated conversations, working sessions and cross-sector dialogue, delegates will explore shared challenges, emerging thinking, opportunities and practical approaches to creating impact through leadership development.

Designed for active participation, Day 2 encourages delegates to move beyond theory and engage directly with the questions, tensions and opportunities emerging across the field.

Day 3: Research & Practice Streams

Wednesday 10 February 2027 | 8:30am - 3:00pm | RMIT University

The final day deepens the exploration of leadership development through parallel streams of research and practice.

Delegates will engage with current research, innovative methodologies and real-world applications.

Day 3 provides a valuable opportunity to deepen learning, challenge assumptions and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Who Should Attend?

The Summit is designed for:

• Leadership development practitioners

• Researchers and academics

• Learning and development professionals

• Organisational development practitioners

• Human resources professionals

• Executive and leadership coaches

• Facilitators and consultants

• Community leadership practitioners

• Leaders of leadership development organisations

Tickets

1. Early Bird Registration (Days 1-3) - $495 | Closes 30 November

Full access to all three Summit days, including the opening plenary, networking opportunities, presentations, workshops and research streams.

2. General Registration (Days 1-3) $595

Full access to all three Summit days, including the Opening Plenary, networking opportunities, presentations, workshops and research streams.

Why Attend?

By attending the Australian Leadership Development Summit, you will:

• Explore the latest thinking and evidence shaping leadership development

• Learn from researchers, practitioners and thought leaders from across sectors

• Gain practical insights to inform your own work and practice

• Connect with colleagues from across Australia's leadership development community

• Identify opportunities for collaboration, partnership and shared learning

• Contribute to important conversations about the future of leadership development