Join us on the Sunshine Coast for the 23rd Australasian Polymer Summer School (APSS) 2026
First held in 2000, the Australian Polymer Summer School (APSS) has a long history in the Australian polymer science community, providing a friendly and collegiate environment for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying in the field. The APSS is designed to increase participant exposure to numerous aspects of polymer science, from fundamentals through to cutting-edge research. The APSS also focuses on commercial and industrial aspects of the field, including careers in the sector.
The APSS is run as a series of ‘master classes’ on a variety of topics, presented by world-renowned researchers from the Australian polymer community. The APSS has traditionally had an active social program for attendees to enjoy as well as to build networks and collaborations in an informal setting - in order to build a community of young researchers working in polymer science across the country.
Event Details
Dates
Wednesday 2nd December - Friday 4th December
Venue
Sunshine Coast Recreation Precinct
80 Currimundi Road
Currimundi QLD 4551
Registration Includes
-
Attendance at all masterclasses and networking sessions
-
Two nights' onsite accommodation (Wednesday and Thursday)
-
Full catering throughout the Summer School:
-
Evening social activities
-
Networking opportunities with Australia's leading polymer researchers
Who Should Attend?
The Australasian Polymer Summer School welcomes:
-
- Higher degree research students
- Undergraduate Engineering and Science students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early career researchers
- Anyone with a technical interest in polymers and polymer research
Program at a Glance
Wednesday
| Time |
Session |
Topic |
| 12:00–1:00 pm |
Registration |
|
| 1:00–3:00 pm |
Session 1A + B |
Introduction to Polymers |
| 3:00–3:30 pm |
Afternoon Tea |
|
| 3:30–5:30 pm |
Session 2A + B |
Introduction to Radical Polymerisation |
| 5:30–6:30 pm |
Session 3A |
Polymer Characterisation |
| From 6:30 pm |
Dinner & Social Activity |
|
Thursday
| Time |
Session |
Topic |
| 9:00–10:00 am |
Session 3B |
Polymer Characterisation |
| 10:00–10:30 am |
Morning Tea |
|
| 10:30–12:30 pm |
Session 4A + B |
Biomass Valorisation for Polymers |
| 12:30–1:30 pm |
Lunch |
|
| 1:30–3:30 pm |
Session 5A + B |
Polymer Nanoparticles and Nanomedicine |
| 3:30–4:00 pm |
Afternoon Tea |
|
| 4:00–6:00 pm |
Session 6A + B |
Polymers to Solve Industrial Challenges |
| From 6:00 pm |
Dinner & Social Activity |
|
Friday
| Time |
Session |
Topic |
| 9:00–10:00 am |
Session 8A |
Biopolymers |
| 10:00–10:30 am |
Morning Tea |
|
| 10:30–11:30 am |
Session 8B |
Biopolymers |
| 11:30 am–1:30 pm |
|
Scattering and Polymer Brushes |
| 1:30 PM |
Lunch & Close |
|
Speakers
|
Professor Martina Stenzel
UNSW
|
Professor Justin Chalker
Flinders University
|
|
Dr Ed Johnson
University of Newcastle
|
Professor Steven Pratt
UQ
|
Key Registration Dates
|
Early Bird Opens
Thursday 6 August 2026
|
Early Bird Closes
Thursday 1 October 2026
|
|
Registration Open
Friday 2 October 2026
|
Registration Closes
Sunday 1 November 2026
|
Organising Committee
The 23rd Australasian Polymer Summer School is coordinated by:
- Nathan Boase - Co-chair
- Hendrik Frisch - Co-chair
- Laleh Moghaddam - Co-chair
Thank you to our generous sponsors
| QUT School of Chemistry and Physics |
QUT Centre for Materials Science |
| QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy |
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, UQ |
ARC Training Centre – in Bioplastics and Biocomposites
|
Sponsor this event and connect with industry leaders!
Event Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy D applies to this event. For full details, view our Cancellation Policy. By registering for this event, you agree to, and will be bound by, the RACI Event Terms and Conditions and Event Code of Conduct.