Highlights from the SETAC Australasia and ACTRA Joint Conference
By Zuzanna Neziri, SETAC Asia-Pacific Executive Director
The SETAC Australasia Regional Chapter and Australian College of Toxicology & Risk Assessment (ACTRA) Joint Conference was held from 25–28 August in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, hosted by New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA NZ). This landmark event marked the first collaboration between SETAC Australasia and ACTRA, drawing more than 250 delegates across academia, government, consultancy and industry.
Building a Lasting Legacy
With the theme “Building a lasting legacy: Our choice, their future! What legacy will our work leave for future generations?” the conference highlighted the role of science, policy and collaboration in shaping healthier environments.
Co-convenors Eugene Georgiades, EPA NZ and SETAC Australasia New Zealand Representative, and Tarah Hagen, SLR Consulting and ACTRA Representative, led the local organizing committee. Their leadership, alongside contributions from Māori knowledge holders, regulators and practitioners, ensured the program reflected technical excellence and inclusivity, weaving mātauranga Māori into the scientific dialogue.
Workshops ahead of the main sessions set the tone, covering Indigenous perspectives on environmental management, risk communication, metals in water guidelines and new tools for ecotoxicological assessment.
Plenary Speakers
The scientific program featured an outstanding plenary lineup that spanned science, policy and practice:
- Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, challenged delegates to consider how independent science advice can shape long-term stewardship.
- Bryan Brooks, Baylor University, presented “Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention: Advancing Precision in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry,” highlighting how precision ecotoxicology can help shift from documenting impacts to predicting and preventing them.
- Kevin Thomas, University of Queensland, addressed analytical challenges in assessing human health risks from plastic particles.
- Lidia Morawska, Queensland University of Technology, shared insights on airborne microplastics, their origins and implications for public health.
- Peter Dawson, EPA NZ, reflected on “The Stockholm Convention after 20 years,” assessing its role in reducing exposure to persistent organic pollutants.
- Vittorio Fattori, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, offered a global perspective on food safety foresight and emerging environmental issues.
- Erica Gregory, Enviromental Protection Authority New Zealand, spoke on weaving mātauranga Māori into environmental protection, drawing on her extensive experience in Māori engagement, policy development and regulatory practice
Graeme Batley receiving the Founders Award.
Together, these plenaries framed the discussions across three concurrent oral streams, 37 posters, and high-profile sessions such as the ACTRA debate on risks from the circular economy and a regulatory science panel chaired by Eugene Georgiades.
Celebrating Excellence
A highlight of the joint meeting was the presentation of two prestigious global SETAC awards by Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, SETAC President:
Gwilym Price receiving the Metals Research Award.
- Graeme Batley, CSIRO, received the SETAC Founders Award for his lifetime contributions to environmental science and his leadership in advancing ecotoxicology.
- Gwilym Price, Australian Antarctic Division, received the SETAC/International Copper Association (ICA) Chris Lee Award for Metals Research for her innovative research on metals in polar environments.
The awards were a proud moment for Australasia, reinforcing the region’s impact on the global stage.
In addition to the SETAC global awards, the SETAC Australasia Regional Chapter recognized outstanding contributions across all career stages. These awards reflect the breadth of talent within the SETAC community, celebrating the vital contributions of students, technical staff and researchers to advancing environmental science.
- Early- and Mid-Career Medals: Elvis Okoffo, University of Queensland; Oliver Jones, RMIT; David Beale, CSIRO; and Lisa Golding, CSIRO
- Technical Staff Awards: Florita Flores, AIMS, and Alexandra Boyd (ANSTO)
- Best Student Presentation Awards and Postgraduate Prizes: Sarah Green, La Trobe University; Alexandra Bastick, CSU and ANSTO; Lorenzo Ricolfi, UNSW; and Sazal Kumar, University of Newcastle
- Peter Teasdale Memorial Awards: Gina Mondschein, RMIT; Jessica Kneebone, UTAS; and Priya Pal, University of Southern Queensland
Collaboration in Action
Beyond plenaries and awards, the conference showcased the strength of collaboration between SETAC Australasia and ACTRA. The joint program created opportunities for cross-disciplinary exchanges, and with EPA NZ as host, emphasized the importance of linking science and policy.
Students and early career researchers were especially visible – through poster socials, networking events, and professional development sessions – underscoring the vitality of the next generation. Social highlights included a welcome reception and a gala dinner at New Zealand’s Parliament, where delegates continued conversations in a setting that underscored the connection between science and policy.
Looking Ahead
For participants, the meeting stood out as a model of inclusivity, scientific excellence and collaboration. By combining science, Indigenous knowledge and professional practice, SETAC Australasia and ACTRA created a lasting legacy that will shape the region’s environmental science for years to come.
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