UQPN Annual Conference 2026

Ignite your potential: Learn without limits

Registration

Conference registration is now open! Follow the registration link in your personalised conference invitation emailed to members on 4 August 2026. Earlybird registration is $10.00 until 1 September 2026, increasing to $15.00 after this date.

Summary

The UQPN Annual Conference will be held on Friday, 30 October 2026 (full-day program) at Fair Play Kitchen at Chelmer - an exciting new venue for our conference, close to UQ St Lucia. This year’s theme reflects our focus on empowering professional growth, expanding knowledge, and fostering continuous learning across the UQ community. We are shaping the conference around engaging presentations and interactive sessions that inspire learning, capability building, and professional connection.

Conference speakers

Keynote

Dr Jemma King | Keynote Speaker, Advisor at McKinsey & Co, Research Fellow at UQ, Founder of BiopsychAnalytics Pty Ltd | LinkedIn

Dr Jemma King is a stress, sleep and recovery expert with a PhD in Human Behaviour. She is a Fellow at The University of Queensland's School of Psychology and researches the impact of psychophysiological factors on cognitive and behavioural performance. Her work focuses on stress, sleep, recovery protocols, cold exposure, microbiome, biometrics, emotional intelligence and psychological safety.

Jemma works as a specialist external advisor to McKinsey & Co. She has consulted with the Australian Defence Force, the Centre for Australian Army Leadership, the Australian Institute of Sport, and the Australian Olympic Swim Team and is a reviewer for the journal Scientific Reports Nature. She developed a pre-deployment biopsychosocial Performance Optimisation Program for Special Operations Command, which has demonstrated measurable improvements in behavioural and performance-based outcomes.

Jemma has lectured in critical thinking and decision-making for the University of Sydney MBA program and teaches leadership and emotional intelligence at the Australian Command and Staff Course at the Australian Defence College through RMIT. She also supervises PhD students at the UQ School of Psychology. Her current research projects include Performance Under Pressure in High Stress Environments, Executive Leadership Factors of Performance and Leaders' Impact on Team Psychological Safety, the latter conducted in collaboration with Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson. More recently, she has undertaken research validating the Wim Hof Method for improving mental health, cognitive and physical performance.

Jemma was previously an Associate Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at UQ's Business School. In addition to her academic work, she consults with large organisations and works privately with elite and Olympic athletes, as well as C-suite executives, helping them perform under pressure, manage stress, and enhance team performance. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology, a Bachelor of Business Management with 1st Class Honours, and a Doctor of Human Behaviour. She has also studied psychoneuroimmunology, endocrinology, neuroscience, anatomy, and medical microbiology.

Outside her professional career, Jemma has had a unique and varied background. She was a model, managed a nightclub in Moscow and worked as a stunt double in Police Academy 7. She is a mother of three and lives in Queensland. In addition, Jemma recently released her first book, Sleep First, published by Wiley Publishing.

Chenoa Masters | Senior Principal Consultant, HR Governance and Projects, UQ | LinkedIn

Chenoa is a Senior Principal Consultant in the HR Governance and Projects team at The University of Queensland. A proud Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon woman, she has more than a decade of experience delivering Indigenous programs and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across education, sport and higher education sectors. She previously led the implementation of UQ's Stretch RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan), translating policy commitments into meaningful action and driving reconciliation outcomes across the University.

Chenoa holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education, a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Policy and Development, and a Master of Business Management. She is currently undertaking higher degree research and serves on the Board of Deadly Coders, an Indigenous STEM education organisation.

Beginning her career as a teacher, Chenoa is passionate about creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in education and the workplace. Her leadership experience includes roles with Brisbane Catholic Education and Netball Queensland, where she led diversity and inclusion initiatives that fostered belonging and strengthened organisational culture. Through her work and community leadership, Chenoa continues to champion inclusive environments where people can thrive and feel connected.

Dr Anthony Young | Head of Classroom Choral and Liturgical Music at St. Laurence's College, Lecturer with UQ's School of Music | LinkedIn

Dr Anthony Young is Head of Classroom Music at St. Laurence’s College in South Brisbane. The college has a strong community singing tradition, supported by seven choirs involving 240 singers aged 10-18. Students are taught by a team of highly accomplished teachers.

Anthony's research doctorate in Music Education examined the participation of boys in a Kodaly-based music education program. He holds a Master of Music Studies (Choral Conducting), an Australian Kodaly Certificate, an Arts degree in Literature, and a Law degree. A recipient of both the Queensland College of Teachers Excellence in Teaching Award and a Spirit of Catholic Education Award, Anthony is highly regarded within the Queensland music education community. He serves the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) as a Lead Endorser, Lead External Examiner, and Chief Confirmer of Standards for Senior Music in Queensland.

Anthony has published articles on music education and choral conducting and has contributed to books published by ACER, Springer and Oxford University Press. He lectures in musicianship at The University of Queensland's School of Music and tutors at Griffith University. An accomplished conductor, Anthony works with chorales internationally in school, community, festival and liturgical settings. In recognition of his commitment to developing the next generation of educators, he received the Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia Mentoring Award in 2022 for his work mentoring young teachers.

Supervisor support

We understand it can be challenging to carve out time during the work week, and it’s especially frustrating when you've set time aside but are pulled into other commitments. To help staff engage in this professional development opportunity and gain their supervisor’s support, we’ve included a sample email in the conference invitation that can be used to request approval.

FAQs

What is the UQPN Conference?
An annual conference hosted by UQPN and organised by the volunteers on the UQPN Committee. This event aims to provide an intensive morning of professional development and networking for members. This is a key event in the UQPN calendar.

Will there be an online option?
No, this is an in-person-only event. An integral part of the conference is the in-person networking and engagement with group activities. Unfortunately, this is not something we have the capacity to replicate in an online or hybrid option.

I am not available on this day. Will you be recording the sessions?
Unfortunately, we do not record the conference sessions. We always ensure to offer relevant and useful content to members, so if you would like to hear more from one of our speakers, please get in touch via uqpn@uq.edu.au, and we can add to a future event.

How do I let my supervisor know I want to attend the conference?
To help our members broach this professional development opportunity and gain the support of their supervisor, we have drafted an email you can use to help gain your supervisor's endorsement. Please refer to your personalised invitation to view it.

Who is the Master of Ceremonies (MC) this year?
Our MC this year will be Frances Eden, Senior Manager, Organisational Culture and Capability.

What is the theme of the conference?
The theme is Ignite your potential: Learn without limits! Our theme reflects our focus on empowering professional growth, expanding knowledge, and fostering continuous learning across the UQ community.

I have accessibility and/or dietary requirements. How do I let you know?
Please include any requirements with your registration, and we will do our best to accommodate you on the day.

How much does the conference cost?
To support the delivery of this year’s conference, a non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee (Earlybird $10, then $15) has been introduced (as professional development, this fee is tax-deductible). This nominal fee represents less than 10% of the actual cost per member to host the conference. We hope that this change will help to improve attendance and contribute to the increasing cost of delivering a quality event.

OK, but how much does it cost to host the event??
This year’s conference will cost roughly $100 per person to deliver. This includes the venue hire, catering, activities and marketing costs. Expenses are paid for in part from membership fees but predominantly through UQ funding and support. Please keep this in mind if you have registered and are no longer able to attend. We understand that things happen; however, if we don't get notice to fill your place, it can make for expensive empty seats.

I registered but am no longer able to attend. What do I do?
Please email us at uqpn@uq.edu.au. This is a very popular event, and if we don't know you aren't coming, we can't open the seat for another member. We want to make sure the room is full for the best networking experience possible.

Are tickets to the conference limited?
We’re thrilled to have secured a venue that allows more UQPN members to attend this year’s conference - up to 180 participants! We encourage early registration to avoid missing out.

How do I get to the venue?
The venue is close to train and bus stops. For public transport options, visit Translink.

Is there parking available?
Ample parking is available at the venue.

Do I need to bring my own snacks and lunch food?
No, your food and beverages during the conference are included with your registration. The optional drinks and networking immediately following the conference are a self-funded activity and aren't included with your registration.

I am not a UQPN member. Can I still attend?
The conference is an exclusive event for UQPN members only. However, if tickets are still available, you are welcome to sign up as a professional staff member and then complete your registration.

The UQPN Committee sounds great. How do I get involved?
While there are no formal openings on the committee at this time, we are always looking for more people to get involved. Feel free to note your interest via your preferences in your UQPN Member Profile, or reach out to us at uqpn@uq.edu.au.