Research Connect Forum 2026 : Online broadcast

Climate change is changing where, when and how people work, creating new and increasingly complex challenges for work health and safety (WHS).

Join us for a national discussion on the implications of climate change for workers, industries, businesses and WHS systems across Australia.

The Research Connect Forum 2026 will bring together leading researchers, government, employer and worker representatives to explore emerging WHS risks, examine the latest evidence and consider the practical actions needed to protect workers in a changing climate.

Join the online broadcast from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm Brisbane/AEST time to hear from experts at the forefront of climate and WHS research and policy.

The forum will open with an address from Marie Boland, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Work Australia, and will be emceed by Janet Schorer PSM, NSW's SafeWork Commissioner and Safe Work Australia Member.

Keynote presentations:

•             Dr Elizabeth Humphrys, University of Technology Sydney, will examine how climate change is reshaping working conditions and what this means for worker health, safety and wellbeing.

•             Professor Peng Bi, Adelaide University, will explore the evidence on climate-related health risks and the practical measures that can help reduce harm and build resilience across workplaces and industries.

Climate risk in practice

Facilitated by Janet Schorer PSM, the keynote presentations will be followed by an interactive, scenario-based panel discussion that brings climate-related WHS decision-making to life.

As a scenario unfolds, representatives from regulatory, employer, worker and academia will respond to emerging risks, consider new information as it emerges, and work through the practical protections, responsibilities and decisions needed to keep workers safe and healthy.

This dynamic session will highlight the real-world challenges posed by climate-related hazards and the importance of coordinated, evidence-based responses across the WHS system.

Why attend?

Climate change is no longer a future challenge. It is already affecting working conditions across Australia through increasing heat, extreme weather events, changing environmental conditions and evolving workplace risks.

The forum provides an opportunity to hear the latest evidence, learn from leading experts and contribute to the discussion about how Australia's WHS system can respond to protect workers now and into the future.

From discussion to action

Following the live broadcast, invited in-person participants will take part in a facilitated workshop to explore the issues raised throughout the morning and identify future research, policy and practice priorities.

Insights from the forum will help inform future research and policy development, supporting a nationally consistent, evidence-based approach to understanding and responding to climate-related WHS risks.

Contact

For further information, contact events@swa.gov.au.