Key Dates
The symposium dates themselves are fixed. Everything else on this page is the organising team's working plan, published early because people need to apply for funding, request leave and start visa applications long before a conference programme exists.
These dates are indicative
Every date below except 20–23 September 2027 is a target, not a commitment. Deadlines of this kind routinely move, and the abstract deadline in particular is the one most likely to be extended. Nothing here should be treated as final until it appears in the first circular. Plan against these dates; do not book non-refundable travel against them.
What happens, and when
Now
OPEN
Tell us you would like to take part. It costs you nothing, commits you to nothing, and it is how we size the meeting, plan the venue and decide what travel support we can offer.
Expressions of interest
Late 2026
INDICATIVE
The full announcement: scope, committee, costs, and confirmed versions of the deadlines below. It will be emailed to everyone who has registered an interest and posted here.
First circular
Dec 2026
INDICATIVE
Both open together. Submissions cover talks and posters, and there is no separate call for sessions — the programme is assembled from the abstracts received, so the abstract is the only thing you need to prepare. Opening in December is deliberate: it lets anyone on a calendar-year budget register before their 2026 funds expire.
Abstract submission and early-bird registration open
1 Apr 2027
INDICATIVE
Acceptances follow immediately afterwards, which is what makes this date early relative to a September meeting: it exists to give people time for Australian visas and long-haul flights, not to rush the science. If it is extended, that will be announced here. If you need an early decision for visa or funding reasons, say so when you submit.
Abstract submission closes
Early May 2027
INDICATIVE
Whether your abstract is accepted, and whether as a talk or a poster. Timed to leave room to arrange funding, visas and flights well before the early-bird deadline.
Notification of acceptance
Late Jun 2027
INDICATIVE
After this the standard rate applies. Presenting authors will need to be registered by this date for their abstract to stay in the programme.
Early-bird registration closes, standard rate opens
Early Aug 2027
INDICATIVE
Session order, keynotes and poster sessions, published in time to book flights around it.
Programme published
End Aug 2027
INDICATIVE
The last point at which registration is straightforward. Late registration stays open after this at a higher rate, subject to catering and venue capacity.
Standard registration closes, late rate opens
TBA
INDICATIVE
Rooms held near the venue in Crawley and Nedlands, with a booking code and a release date after which they return to general sale. Late September is spring in Perth and the city is busy.
Accommodation released
TBA
INDICATIVE
Slide format, poster dimensions and the upload deadline, so nothing has to be sorted out in the room five minutes beforehand.
Presentation & poster upload
20-23 Sep 20207
CONFIRMED
Four days at the University Club, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth. See Perth & things to do if you are planning to make more of the trip.
IMHWS-1
Worth starting early
Australian Visa
Almost every non-Australian delegate will need a visa, and processing times vary from a couple of weeks to several months depending on where you apply. Start well before the early-bird deadline rather than after it.
Every date above other than the symposium itself is subject to change until it is confirmed here. The most reliable way to hear about each one is to register an expression of interest.
Letters of invitation
We can provide a letter of invitation to support a visa or funding application. Write toIMHWS2027@gmail.com with your name as it appears in your passport, your institution and your intended dates.
Getting to Perth
Perth Airport has direct connections to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the east coast of Australia, and is about 25 minutes from the venue. Fares are usually better booked well ahead for late September.