Chair & Co-chair of ecoforum Welcome Address
As Co-Chairs, we are looking forward to welcoming you to ecoforum in Brisbane this October. The program offers a strong mix of technical depth, practical case studies and fresh thinking, with sessions covering PFAS management, emerging contaminants, innovative remediation technologies, sustainability, and Indigenous engagement in environmental decision-making. The quality and diversity of abstracts submitted this year reflect the commitment and expertise of our professional community.
We are pleased to be joined by an outstanding line-up of international speakers. Ian Cousins will bring his global perspective on PFAS science and policy, Shalene Thomas will share her extensive experience in site management and stakeholder engagement from North America, and Dietmar Mueller will represent the Common Forum on Contaminated Land in Europe, offering insights into European approaches to remediation and regulation. Their contributions will complement the expertise of our local presenters and help spark valuable discussion on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
For us, conferences are as much about the conversations between sessions as they are about the formal program. They are a chance to compare approaches, test ideas, and learn from the experience of others. Like any good field investigation, the best insights often emerge from unexpected observations – sometimes over a coffee rather than a core sample. The program has been designed to encourage these exchanges, whether through panel discussions, networking breaks, or informal catch-ups.
We thank the Program Committee for their considerable effort in reviewing a large number of high-quality submissions and shaping them into a program that is both relevant and engaging. We also acknowledge the organising team, whose planning and coordination will ensure a well-run and productive event.
With a diverse program, the opportunity to hear from leading voices in Australia and internationally, and the benefit of connecting in person, ecoforum promises to be a valuable and rewarding experience. We look forward to seeing you in Brisbane.
– Renelle Watson and Andrew Mitchell