Wellbeing For Learning Conference Friday 12 February 2027 Adelaide University
Description
Wellbeing for Learning Conference 2027
Friday 12 February 2027
Registration opens: 8:00 am
Conference commences: 8:30 am
Conference concludes: 4:00 pm
Venue: Level 5, Union House, Adelaide University, City East Campus, Adelaide SA 5000
Early Bird: $259 per person (ends 11 December 2026)
Standard: $339 per person
Group discounts: From $229 per person
All prices include GST. Places limited to 200 delegates.
Following the success of its inaugural conference, the 2nd Wellbeing for Learning Conference 2027 brings together internationally recognised researchers, school leaders, educators and policymakers to explore how wellbeing shapes teaching, learning and educational systems.
Hosted by Adelaide University's School of Education and College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences, the conference features leading researchers from Adelaide University, Monash University, The University of Melbourne, the National Institute of Education at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Across seven keynote sessions, four expert panels and a graduate research showcase, delegates will engage with emerging international evidence and explore practical opportunities to strengthen wellbeing for learning.
Seven Research Keynotes
Professor Susan Sawyer AM, The University of Melbourne
Clicks, brands, bodies and minds: selling out adolescent health
Professor Sawyer examines how digital media and commercial influences shape adolescent health and wellbeing, including the implications of Australia's social media minimum age policy for schools, families and governments.
Associate Professor Ronnel B. King, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Growth mindsets and resilience: insights from large-scale international assessments
Drawing on international research involving nearly half a million students across more than 70 education systems, this keynote explores how growth mindsets relate to motivation, resilience, wellbeing and achievement across different educational contexts.
Associate Professor Wan Har Chong, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Rethinking school-based wellbeing: culture, development and relationships in Singapore
This keynote examines how cultural contexts, developmental needs and teacher–student relationships influence the design and implementation of social and emotional learning.
Professor Janet Clinton, The University of Melbourne, and Dr Ruth Aston, Adelaide University
Expert implementers in unfamiliar territory: a strengths-based approach to school readiness for wellbeing programs
Schools are experienced implementers of curriculum and pedagogy. This keynote explores how existing school capabilities can support the implementation, evaluation and sustainability of wellbeing and mental health initiatives.
Professor Jon Quach, The University of Melbourne
Symptom or the cause: unpacking student wellbeing, learning engagement and attendance
Exploring the interconnected relationships between wellbeing, engagement and attendance, this keynote considers how schools can develop more effective responses to students' educational and developmental needs.
Professor Rebecca J. Collie, Monash University
The role of everyday teaching practices in students' wellbeing
This keynote examines how classroom task structures, feedback, autonomy support and teacher–student relationships contribute to students' academic and social-emotional wellbeing.
Professor Mathew White, Adelaide University
The eudaimonic turn in schools: positive humanities, wellbeing education and the case for flourishing
This keynote explores how English, literature, drama and creative writing education can contribute to human flourishing. It introduces a framework of dialogic flourishing and examines how the humanities can support learning for wellbeing.
Four Expert Research Panels
Panel 1, Beyond the Classroom: Health and the Conditions for Learning
Exploring adolescent health, school environments and the wider conditions that enable wellbeing and learning.
Speakers:
Professor Susan Sawyer AM, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Wan Har Chong, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Professor Sally Brinkman, Adelaide University
Dr Jennifer Dam, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and The University of Melbourne
Chair: Dr Elisa Di Gregorio, Adelaide University
Panel 2, Adolescents' Digital Lives and Generative AI
Examining Australian evidence on adolescents' digital lives, AI use, online safeguarding, motivation and classroom practice.
Speakers:
Professor Russell Brewer, Adelaide University
Professor Rebecca J. Collie, Monash University
Professor Jon Quach, The University of Melbourne
Chair: Dr Ruth Aston, Adelaide University
Panel 3, Positive Humanities: Teaching for Flourishing
Exploring the contributions of English, literature, drama, music and the humanities to wellbeing, meaning and human flourishing.
Speakers:
Professor Mathew White, Adelaide University
Professor Anne Pender, Adelaide University
Professor Patrick Flanery, Adelaide University
Dr Emily Dollman, Adelaide University
Chair: Dr Elisa Di Gregorio, Adelaide University
Panel 4, Evidence to Impact: Improving Wellbeing for Learning
How can schools and education systems translate evidence into sustainable improvement?
This panel explores evaluation, implementation, classroom practice and the structural determinants of wellbeing.
Speakers:
Professor Sally Brinkman, Adelaide University
Professor Janet Clinton, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Ronnel B. King, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chair: Dr Ruth Aston, Adelaide University
Meet Our International Speakers and Research Leaders
The conference brings together 16 researchers and academic leaders representing universities and research institutions across Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Professor Susan Sawyer AM
Geoff and Helen Handbury Chair of Adolescent Health, The University of Melbourne; Director, Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital and Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Professor Janet Clinton
Professor of Evaluation and Academic Director, Strategic Partnerships, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne.
Professor Jon Quach
Professor, School of Learning Sciences, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne.
Dr Jennifer Dam
Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne.
Monash University
Professor Rebecca J. Collie
Professor of Learning Sciences, Monash University; Australian Research Council Future Fellow.
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Associate Professor Wan Har Chong
National Institute of Education; Co-Head (Evaluation), Centre for Assessment and Evaluation.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Associate Professor Ronnel B. King
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education; Leader, Positive Psychology and Education Lab.
Adelaide University
Professor Mathew White
Professor of Education; Dean, International and Engagement, College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences; Conference Co-Convenor and Co-Founder and Co-Director, Wellbeing for Learning International Research Network.
Dr Ruth Aston
Senior Lecturer in Education; Program Director, Master of Education; Conference Co-Convenor and Co-Founder and Co-Director, Wellbeing for Learning International Research Network
Professor Susan James Relly
Dean, School of Education, College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences.
Professor Sally Brinkman
Professorial Research Fellow; Director, Fraser Mustard Centre.
Professor Russell Brewer
Professor of Criminology; Director, Australian Cybercrime Observatory.
Professor Anne Pender
Kidman Chair of Australian Studies; appointed Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Chair of Australian Studies, Harvard University (2027–28).
Professor Patrick Flanery
Chair of Creative Writing; Director, JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice.
Dr Emily Dollman
Head of Music Education, Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts.
Dr Elisa Di Gregorio
Lecturer, School of Education; Chair, PhD Poster Sessions.
What You Will Learn
International research insights into student wellbeing, motivation, engagement and learning
Evidence-informed teaching approaches that integrate wellbeing into everyday classroom practice
Whole-school implementation and evaluation strategies for sustainable educational improvement
New perspectives on adolescent health, generative AI, positive humanities and educational equity
Professional connections with internationally recognised researchers, educators and policymakers
Practical ideas to inform school leadership, professional learning and educational decision-making
Who Should Attend?
Principals, school leaders, classroom teachers, wellbeing coordinators, psychologists, education policymakers, researchers, academics, postgraduate students and professionals working to strengthen wellbeing and educational outcomes.
Your Registration Includes
Full-day conference program
Seven keynote sessions and four expert research panels
Morning tea and networking lunch
Graduate researcher electronic poster showcase
Professional learning participation certificate
Networking with researchers, educators and school leaders
Opportunities to connect with the Wellbeing for Learning International Research Network
Bring Your Team and Save
School teams learn better together.
Bring colleagues to develop a shared understanding of the research and translate evidence into coordinated school improvement.
Conference capacity is limited to 200 delegates.
Graduate Researcher Showcase
The conference will feature electronic PhD poster presentations showcasing emerging research into wellbeing, learning and education.
Two Events Over Two Days
Thursday 11 February 2027, FREE Public Symposium
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Elder Hall, Adelaide University
Join internationally recognised researchers for a public conversation examining the relationship between wellbeing, motivation, engagement and academic achievement.
The symposium will explore translating research into classroom practice, evaluating impact, sustaining whole-school approaches and strengthening international research collaboration.
Public symposium speakers:
Dr Ruth Aston, Adelaide University
Professor Mathew White, Adelaide University
Professor Rebecca J. Collie, Monash University
Professor Jon Quach, The University of Melbourne
Professor Janet Clinton, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Wan Har Chong, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Associate Professor Ronnel B. King, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Moderator: Dr Ruth Aston, Adelaide University
Free admission. Separate registration required.
Friday 12 February 2027, Full-Day Conference
8:30 am – 4:00 pm Level 5, Union House, Adelaide University
Seven research keynotes, four expert panels, professional networking, graduate research presentations and practical insights for schools and education systems.
Paid registration required.
Join the Wellbeing for Learning International Research Network
Established in February 2026, the Wellbeing for Learning International Research Network (WLIRN) is an international research initiative advancing theoretical and applied research at the intersection of wellbeing science and education.
Co-founded and co-directed by Professor Mathew White and Dr Ruth Aston at Adelaide University, the Network brings together researchers, schools and education systems to examine how wellbeing functions as a foundational condition for learning.
REGISTER NOW, PLACES ARE LIMITED
Wellbeing for Learning Conference 2027
Friday 12 February 2027
Registration opens: 8:00 am
Conference commences: 8:30 am
Conference concludes: 4:00 pm
Venue: Level 5, Union House, Adelaide University, City East Campus, Adelaide SA 5000
Early Bird: $259 per person (ends 11 December 2026)
Standard: $339 per person
Group discounts: From $229 per person
All prices include GST. Places limited to 200 delegates.
The free public symposium on Thursday 11 February 2027 requires separate registration.
Enquiries
Dean, International and External Engagement
College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences
Adelaide University
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