Conferences, seminars and other interactive events are fundamental to the Institute’s mission and strategic intent to contribute to positive social and environmental transformations in the tropics. The Institute ensures a diversity of events that encourage the development of core knowledge and theory, discussion of research and its implications for public policy and other applications, and reasoned deliberation over challenging political issues.
In recent years, the Institute has hosted major disciplinary conferences including TEDx events in 2014-19, Talanoa Pasifika Conference in 2014, The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Annual Conference in 2015, the Creating Futures Conference in 2015-21, the Early Years Conference in 2015-22, The IV World Congress of Rural Sociology in 2022, The Cairns Institute Impact & Engagement Seminars, Cairns & Townsville, the Third Annual Social Science Community for the Reef Symposium in Cairns 2023, and the annual Courtenay Lectures.