The pervasive presence of plastics in our environment and their potential implications on human health is a growing concern. Health risks exist at all stages of the plastic lifecycle— from production, use, recycling, and eventual disposal, as well as from legacy plastics in the environment. As plastics degrade, they release additives, nano- and micro-plastics, and oligomers, which can infiltrate air, water, and food sources. Increasing evidence of the consumption and inhalation of nano- and micro-plastics, concerns about exposures to harmful additives used to give plastics particular properties, and the need for improved understanding of potential effects on human health and associated risks are becoming integral parts of public health discourse.
This conference aims to bring together scientists, medical professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers to address the urgent need to understand these risks and devise strategies to mitigate negative health impacts. Join us as we explore these critical issues and work towards a healthier future.
Keynote Speakers
We are excited to announce some of our Keynote speakers! Further announcements are coming soon, visit the conference website again to discover new additions to the program.
Dr Andrea Hinwood, United Nations Environment Programme
Dr Andrea Hinwood serves as the Chief Scientist of the United Nations Environment Programme. She is an environmental scientist with specialization in environmental and human exposures and implications for human health. Dr. Hinwood earned her PhD in environmental epidemiology from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She has worked on a range of local, regional and international environmental issues, and provided strategic advice to governments and a variety of international fora including chemicals, waste and pollution. She served as the first Chief Environmental Scientist at the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in Victoria, Australia and was previously an Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University and held appointments as a member and Deputy Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia and a sessional member of the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia.
Emeritus Professor Sarah Dunlop, Minderoo Foundation
Sarah Dunlop is Director, Plastics & Human Health Impact Mission at Minderoo Foundation and Emeritus Professor, The University of Western Australia. She leads pioneering research to eliminate the harmful effects of plastic by identifying casual evidence for harm to human health, thereby establishing industry accountability, and by developing safe and sustainable alternative materials. Since joining Minderoo in 2020, she has built and spearheaded global collaborations across Australia, Europe, the UK and US to undertake keystone research to drive systems change. The work involves defining the extent of the problem by synthesising existing evidence, developing accurate measurement techniques for plastic chemicals and micro- and nanoplastic particles in human biospecimens, and using hybrid epidemiology and clinical trials to uncover causal mechanisms underlying health impacts from plastic exposure. Parallel work involves accelerating the development and scaling of non-fossil fuel-based materials which do not contain toxic chemicals or fragment into micro- and nanoplastics.
Dr Cassandra Rauert, The University of Queensland
Dr Cassandra Rauert is a Senior Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, and is the microplastics research lead at the Minderoo Centre – Plastics and Human Health. Her primary research focusses on assessing human exposure to microplastics/nanoplastics and developing methods for detecting plastics in human matrices. She also leads various environmental exposure research projects including assessing the impact of tyre road wear particles and their associated chemicals on the urban environment.
Dr Sivendra Michael, Fijian Government, Environment and Climate Change
Dr. Sivendra Michael is Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change. He has over a decade of work experience in the climate change and disaster management field across Asia Pacific and Eastern African. Prior to joining the Fijian Government, Dr. Michael worked for various UN agencies, the Pacific Islands Forum and the British Council. He currently is the co-chair of the Climate Investment Fund Board and the co-chair for the UNFCCC Ocean-Climate Dialogue. Dr. Michael is Fiji’s Chief Negotiator for the Plastics Treaty, UNFCCC COP29 and UNCBD COP16.
Professor Martin Wagner, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Martin is a Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. His research aims at understanding how plastics, including microplastics and plastic chemicals, affect biodiversity, health, and society, working at the interface of ecology, toxicology, and chemistry. Passionate about solving the issue of plastic pollution, Martin actively communicates his research and advises policymakers, including in the negotiations for a global plastics treaty. He earned his PhD from Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, in 2013 for research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics, where he later led a junior group studying freshwater microplastics. Since 2017, he has continued his plastic pollution research at NTNU. Learn more at www.biotox.de.
Mailing List
Contact
For formal enquiries about the conference, please contact plastics2026@uq.edu.au. You can also keep up to date with the latest conference news via our LinkedIn.
Conference venue: W Brisbane
Conveniently located in the heart of the CBD and overlooking the iconic Brisbane River, W Brisbane sets the stage for exclusive, extraordinary experiences with exceptional design and contemporary luxury. With over 1,100 sqm of design-led event spaces and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, guests can get down to business in nine dynamic indoor and outdoor spaces.
Address
81 N Quay
Brisbane City, QLD, 4000
About Brisbane
Brisbane, Queensland's capital, is a vibrant, diverse and active city with a welcoming and inviting attitude. With its year-round sunshine, world-class dining, and thriving arts scene, Brisbane is the perfect destination for both professional engagement and personal exploration. Delegates will enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere in a city known for its innovation, sustainability, and laid-back charm.
From the iconic South Bank Parklands and the cultural treasures of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), to the wonders of Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane offers unforgettable experiences just moments from the conference venue. Whether you're networking over coffee in a riverside café or unwinding with a sunset stroll along the Story Bridge, Brisbane invites you to connect, explore, and be inspired.
Brisbane boasts an affordable, efficient, and easy-to-navigate public transport system—including buses, trains, and ferries—making it simple for delegates to explore the city and beyond. Transport in Queensland.
Local Organising Committee
Prof Kevin Thomas (Chair)
Prof Jochen Mueller (Co-Chair)
Dr Cassie Rauert
Dr Fisher Wang
Dr Elvis Okoffo
Dr Ian Zammit
Dr Grace Davies
Organising Committee
Prof Kevin Thomas (Chair)
Prof Jochen Mueller (Co-Chair)
Ms Stephanie Hall (Secretary)
Prof Peter Sly
Emerita Prof Sarah Dunlop
Dr Christos Symeonides
Ms Beth Tippett
Dr Junli (Lily) Xu
Dr Stephanie Wright
Prof Anne-Louise Ponsonby
Prof Michaela Lucas
Dr Alena Vdovchenko
Dr Taicheng An
Scientific Committee
Prof Kevin Thomas (Chair)
Prof Jochen Mueller (Co-Chair)
Dr Grace Davies (Secretary)
Dr Derek Muir
Dr Holger Koch
Prof Hongwen Sun
Prof Heather Stapleton
Dr Shoji Nakayama
Dr Gro Delhi Andersen
Dr Dorte Herzke
Dr Juliette Legler
Prof Martin Clift
A/Prof Douglas Walker
Dr Zhanyun Wang
Prof Adrian Covaci
Prof Guibin Jiang
Plastics2026 offers a platform for your organisation to host a side event that complements the official conference proceedings focusing on the environmental and human health impacts of plastics. Side events will provide conference delegates with the opportunity to engage with like-minded researchers, build new collaborations or share their expertise.
Plastics2026 Sponsorship Prospectus
We encourage you to register your interest without delay to secure your place ahead of others. All applications will first be reviewed by the conference committee before you will be contacted by the conference organiser regarding confirmation.
If these sponsorship opportunities do not meet your requirements, but you would like to become involved in supporting the conference, please do not hesitate to contact the event organisers via email at plastics2026@uq.edu.au
Conference Sessions
Plastics2026 is a global symposium focused on plastics and human health. Increasing evidence highlights the potential human health risks associated with plastics. In this conference, we aim to bring together key stakeholders to understand the level of risk from plastic particles and plastic-associated chemicals. We welcome abstracts covering the following topics:
- Analytics: work that explores innovative methodologies to detect, quantify, and characterise plastics and plastic-associated chemicals in biological samples.
- Exposure: studies focused on understanding human exposure to plastics and plastic-associated chemicals.
- Toxicology: studies that investigate the toxicological effects of plastics and plastic-associated chemicals.
- Risk & Epidemiology: studies that look at the associations between plastics and/or plastic-associated chemicals and human health outcomes, including modelling and risk assessment.
- Inventory: efforts to systematically catalogue chemicals and prioritise chemicals for monitoring and risk assessment.
- Regulation and Policy: studies that consider current policies and regulatory frameworks.
Abstract Guidelines
- Submit your abstract using the following form and indicate the session topic your work is aligned with.
- The abstract text should not exceed 2,500 characters (including spaces).
- The abstract text should be clear and concise, with abbreviations and acronyms spelled out.
- It should not include citations.
Abstract Submission Deadline
The Abstract submission deadline has been extended. Please submit your Abstract before the deadline of 24 October 2025 (11:59PM Australian Eastern Standard Time). Abstract submissions and the Travel Grant applications will be reviewed in parallel, please submit your abstracts and applications by the deadlines to be considered for both.
Abstract submissions have now closed.
Abstract outcomes will be provided by the 14th November 2025.
Plastics2026 are pleased to offer several Travel Grants to attend the March 2026 conference for attendees who have an abstract accepted for presentation (poster or oral presentations).
Conference registration will be complimentary and funds to support travel costs such as airfares (economy only) and accommodation will be awarded.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must have an abstract accepted for presentation (poster or oral presentations).
Travel Grant Categories
There are two Travel Grant categories (please ensure you nominate the correct category in your submission):
- Students and researchers from Low and Middle-Income Countries.
- Students and early career researchers (up to 5 years post PhD) from national and international institutions.
Application Requirements
As part of the application, a short (maximum 1 minute) video will be required from each Travel Award applicant. Please provide a file sharing link to allow the conference organisers to download your video*.
*If you are unable to provide a download link, please email plastics2026@uq.edu.au
What is required in the video?
- Introduce yourself
- Brief explanation of your research
- Briefly explain your motivation to attend the conference
The videos are intended to provide insight into the applicant. During the application assessment, the content of the communication and aspects related to presentation skills, communication ability and authenticity will be considered.
Application Deadline
The Travel Grant application deadline has been extended. To apply for the Grant, please submit your application before the deadline of 24 October 2025 (11:59PM Australian Eastern Standard time). Abstract submissions and the Travel Grant applications will be reviewed in parallel, please submit your abstracts and applications by the deadlines to be considered for both.
Applications will be assessed as follows:
- The strength of the written justification for receiving a Travel Grant.
- The strength of the introduction and research outline video.
- Abstracts included in the application will be assessed against the following criteria:
- The research/study is well justified.
- The abstract contains information on new, original research content or scientific concepts.
- The abstract contains sufficient technical data and description to explain the results and support the conclusions.
Successful applicants of the Plastics2026 Travel Grants will be notified before the conference Early Bird Conference Registration deadline (8th December).
Travel Grant funds will be transferred electronically by The University of Queensland to the awardee’s university, institute or organisation. The awardee and awardee’s supervisor will be required to sign and return a document stating that they will only use the Travel Grant funds for the purposes of attending the conference.
Travel Grant applications have now closed.
Travel Grant application outcomes will be provided by the 14th November 2025.
Key registration dates:
- Early bird registration closes Monday 8 December (11:59PM Australian Eastern Standard Time)
- Standard registration applies from Tuesday 9 December 2025 and will close 15 January 2026 (11:59PM Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Please note the conference registration package includes the Welcome Event (Sunday 1 March) and the Conference Dinner (Tuesday 3 March).
Please complete your RSVP during registration for these two events for catering purposes.
| Status | Early Bird Registration | Standard Registration | Optional Social Event: Ferry & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Visit |
| Non-Student | $715 | $965 | $115 |
| Student* | $605 | $855 | $115 |
*If you are a student please complete the provided survey link during registration with a copy of your Student ID. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or PhD or other equivalent higher degree program, and have not received a PhD or other equivalent higher degree at the time of the conference start date.
Register for Plastics2026 now!
Payments
Payment is required at the end of the registration process by Visa or Mastercard. We are a tax-registered entity in Australia, so all transactions are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and subject to Goods & Services Tax (10%).
How much is this in your currency? For more accurate rates, view current exchange rates on XE.
Full Registration Includes:
- Entry to all conference sessions, exhibitions and poster displays
- Lunch and light refreshments during the main conference days (2nd, 3rd and 4th March)
- 1 Welcome Event ticket on Sunday 1st March (RSVP required)
- 1 Conference Dinner ticket on Tuesday 3rd March (RSVP required)
Full Registration Excludes:
- Optional sign up for social event on Sunday 1st March, details below.
- Optional sign up for pre/post-conference side events, details below.
- Accommodation.
- Travel and transfers.
Registration cancellation and refund policy:
- Cancellations must be notified in writing by email to plastics2026@uq.edu.au
- No refund will be given for registration cancellations received after 8th December 2025 (including "no shows" at the conference).
- Registrations can be transferred to another delegate at any time at no added cost, please email plastics2026@uq.edu.au
Visa Letter Request Form
Please follow this link to request a Personalised Invitation Letter. This request will be sent to the Plastics2026 office. Allow at least five business day to receive your letter via email.
Please note that Plastics2026 cannot contact any embasies on your behalf.
Social Event: Ferry & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Visit
Kick off the conference with a uniquely Australian experience! Join us for a scenic guided ferry ride along the Brisbane River to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where you will have the chance to see koalas, feed kangaroos, and see other iconic Australian wildlife. Enjoy food and beverages (at your own expense) onboard the ferry ride or at Lone Pine Sanctuary. After exploring the sanctuary, you will be dropped off close to UQ St Lucia campus, in time for the Welcome Event. It's the perfect way to connect with fellow attendees and enjoy a relaxed start to the week.
Ticket price: $115 per person (includes ferry transport and entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary).
Please note transport to the ferry departure point is not included.
Planned Itinerary (Sunday 1st March)**:
- Ferry departs in the morning (approximately 7:30AM) from Southbank (Brisbane CBD).
- Entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
- Please note exploration of the sanctuary is at your own pace, this is not a guided tour.
- Ferry drop off point close to the UQ St Lucia campus.
- Please note there will not be any opportunity to return to your accommodation or the original ferry departure point.
- Short walk from the drop off point to the Welcome Event on UQ St Lucia campus.
**Subject to change, all details will be confirmed to registered participants closer to the date including specific timings and location.
Accessibility Note:
- There are 28 stairs to climb from the ferry to the entry gates at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
- The walk from the ferry drop off point to the Welcome Event venue is approximately 1.4 kilometres (0.87 miles) and there are also stairs in this route.
Conference Side Events
More information coming soon.