Conference Summary

Held every 2 years, the ANZ Young Geotechnical Professional’s Conference (YGPC) is a joint initiative of the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS) and is for geotechnical professionals from Australia and New Zealand up to 35 years of age. It is designed for all attendees to present a technical paper on any topic of interest/experience related to the field of geomechanics, engineering geology or geotechnical engineering. Along with the technical presentations, the conference will involve social events to encourage networking between delegates, and a field trip to Kuranda Historical Railway.

Important Dates

• Nominations and abstracts due — extended to Monday 16 March 2026
• Notice of acceptance — TBC
• Draft papers due — Friday 29 May 2026
• Full papers due and registrations close — Friday 17 July 2026
• Welcome reception — Tuesday 1 September 2026
• Conference presentations — Wednesday 2 – Thursday 3 September 2026
• Field trip — Friday 4 September 2026

Preliminary Conference Programme

	Tuesday 1 September	Wednesday 2 September	Thursday 3 September	Friday 4 September
Morning	–	Presentations	Presentations	Field trip
Afternoon	Check-in & registration (from 2pm)	Presentations	Presentations	Field trip (concluding by 2pm)
Evening	Welcome Reception	Social Dinner	Conference Dinner	–

Organising Committee

• Sean Goodall (Chair), AGS Newcastle Chapter
• Lauren Amato, AGS SA/NT Chapter
• Jesse Beetham, NZGS
• Stephanie Salim, AGS NSW Sydney Chapter
• Darren Paul (Mentor), AGS Victoria Chapter

Conference Mentors

• Darren Paul, VIC Chapter

The Don Douglas Youth Fellowship Award

The fellowship is awarded to the author of the most outstanding paper by an Australian representative at each ANZ Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference. The recipient must be a member of the AGS and be below the age of 35 in the year of the conference, i.e. born in 1991 or younger in 2026. A committee consisting of 2 members of the conference organising committee and 2 senior geotechnical professionals in attendance at the conference will judge the award. The Don Douglas Youth fellowship carries a cash amount of $4,000. The cash component is for reimbursement of expenses incurred in attending the next International Young Geotechnical Professional’s Conference following the award.

NZGS Young Geotechnical Professionals Fellowship

This fellowship is awarded to the author of the best paper by a New Zealand representative at each ANZ Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference. The recipient must be a member of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society and be below the age of 35 in the year of the conference, i.e. born in 1991 or younger in 2026.

16YGPC Registration

To register please head to the AGS website: https://geomechanics.org.au/meetings/16th-young-geotechnical-professionals-conference/