SSN 2026 Symposium "Converging Crises: Mental Wellbeing and Home"

A joint initiative of the Deakin Home Research Hub (HOME) and the Deakin Science and Society Network (SSN)

Housing, home and notions of place are inextricably tied to mental health and wellbeing. Colleagues across fields and the public are invited to join the SSN and 11 leading researchers for a symposium that approaches these converging themes across four interdisciplinary panels. A keynote by Associate Professor Nikita Simpson (SOAS, UK) will open the day, and the audience will be invited to take part in the unfolding discussion that includes a session with Deakin's HOME researchers, and a closing roundtable.

Please see the line-up below. This is an in-person event, with lunch and tea catered.

Access to good quality, affordable housing is critical to mental health & wellbeing. Despite being a wealthy country, Australia is in the grip of two converging crises: a mental health/wellbeing crisis and a housing crisis. Over the past five years, there has been a 25% surge in persistent homelessness, over 1.25 million low-income households are in housing stress, and 40% of private renters report their housing circumstance effects their mental health. While housing affordability and supply are critical, there are a range of other housing-related issues key to mental health/wellbeing. We need housing that is responsive to climate change and the energy transition, changing population demographics, and that supports socially connected and inclusive communities and incorporates First Nation people’s knowledge and experiences. Responding to these converging crises requires research solutions beyond individual academic disciplines.

This event explores the breadth of intersections between mental health/wellbeing and housing in the context of Australia’s five National Science Priorities, showcasing research on Building a Secure and Resilient Nation, Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems, Supporting Healthy and Thriving Communities, Protecting and Restoring Australia's Environment and Transitioning to a Net Zero Future. This event provides an opportunity for researchers, policymakers, activists and civil society to learn about current research, to further develop interdisciplinary opportunities and be part of future housing and mental health/wellbeing solutions.

Info: Listening to housing distress: Housing, mental health and inequality across colonial contexts

Info: The interconnected relationship between housing and mental health and wellbeing (Professor Rebecca Bentley) & ‘This is all I have’: Home, housing uncertainty and wellbeing for older LGBTQ+ people (Associate Professor Louisa Smith)

Info: From energy stress to integrated services: Incorporating justice and wellbeing into the low-carbon housing transition (Associate Professor Nicola Willand) & Cleaner Air for Children: Reducing Pollution Exposure in Learning and Care Environments (Dr Clare Walter)

Info: Doing interdisciplinary housing research: Challenges and success stories from the HOME Deakin Strategic Research & Innovation Centre

Info: Interdisciplinary possibilities for secure and resilient food systems? (Associate Professor Victoria Stead) & Building a food secure and resilient nation: The right to food for all (Dr Rebecca Lindberg)

Info: A dialogue with Country – Aboriginal housing is much more than bricks and mortar (Dr Jefa Greenaway) & Dwelling, dignity, and tenure: Antiracist housing practice, community-led models, and the limits of rental reform (Dr Erika Martino)

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Deakin Downtown, Level 12, Tower 2, Melbourne, Australia

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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