2026 ACORN CONFERENCE

The Australasian Cognitive Recovery in Mental Health Network (ACORN) warmly invite you to the 2026 ACORN conference!

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

Friday 18 September 2026

Abstract submissions invited!

We are delighted to announce the Call for Abstracts for the 2026 ACORN Conference, in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand on 18 September 2026. The conference, hosted by the Australasian Cognitive Recovery in Mental Health Network, will take place at the Auckland University of Technology City Campus.

We welcome abstract submissions for lightning talks (3 minutes) and/or poster presentations, in line with ACORN’s focus on improving cognitive and functioning recovery in mental health. Students, early- and mid-career researchers and clinicians, people with lived experience, and senior professionals are all welcome to submit abstracts.

The deadline for abstract submission is 1 April 2026. You will be notified of the success of your abstract, and if it has been allocated as an oral or a poster presentation, by May 2026.

To submit an abstract, please go to:

https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_bJaB8AgHdP9FECq

Keynote and clinical workshop presenters announced

The Conference Committee is excited to announce the following confirmed speakers for the conference: Professor Alice Medalia (Columbia University, USA), Professor Chris Bowie (Queen’s University, Canada), and Associate Professor Katie Douglas (University of Otago, New Zealand). A pre-conference workshop on Social Cognition Interaction Training (SCIT) will be delivered by Associate Professor Frances Dark (Queensland, Australia) on 17 September. The conference will feature contributions from leading Australasian clinicians and academics, as well as early-career professionals, working in the field of cognitive recovery in mental health.

For any questions about the abstract submission process, please email katie.douglas@otago.ac.nz.

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