12–16 July, 2027; Melbourne, Australia
AASP – The Palynological Society invites members of the scientific and academic communities, students and interested members of the public to its 59th Annual Meeting. The meeting will be hosted by the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Australia.
The University of Melbourne
https://www.unimelb.edu.au/newsroom/news/2025/february/university-of-melbourne-leading-in-australia-for-research-and-teaching-reputation
Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is Australia’s oldest university and one of the country’s leading research-intensive institutions. The University brings together more than 58,000 students and researchers from Australia and around the world, with international students representing more than 150 nationalities. The University has more than 70 research centres and institutes across nine faculties.
The Parkville campus is located close to Melbourne’s city centre and forms part of a major education, research, health and cultural precinct.
Venue
Conference presentations will be held in the Fritz Loewe Theatre. Additional breakout rooms, equipped with audiovisual facilities, will be available for workshops, smaller sessions and discussions.
https://maps.unimelb.edu.au/parkville/building/200
https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/melbourne/see-and-do/art-and-culture/performing-arts/arts-centre-melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and Australia’s second-largest city. It is a multicultural and internationally connected city known for its universities, research institutions, museums, galleries, sporting events, restaurants and café culture.
The University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus is particularly well located for conference attendees. The campus is approximately a 15–20 minute walk from the centre of Melbourne and is surrounded by the inner-city neighbourhoods of Carlton, Parkville and Fitzroy.
The conference venue is within easy reach of many of Melbourne’s major attractions, including:
- Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, adjacent to the University campus
- Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed building in Carlton Gardens
- State Library Victoria, located in the northern CBD
- National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, located south of the CBD
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), one of Australia’s most famous sporting venues
- Queen Victoria Market, a historic market offering food, produce and local products
Lygon Street, Brunswick Street and Smith Street, popular areas for restaurants, cafés, bars and shopping
https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/melbourne/see-and-do/tours/royal-botanic-gardens-victoria—melbourne-gardens-tours#
Getting to the University
Melbourne has an extensive public transport network comprising trains, trams and buses, making public transport one of the easiest ways to travel to the conference.
Several public transport stops are within walking distance of the University’s Parkville campus. Use the Transport Victoria Journey Planner to identify the most convenient route from your accommodation.
By tram
Trams are one of the easiest ways to reach the Parkville campus from central Melbourne.
From Swanston Street in the CBD, tram routes 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 travel north towards the University. For the main campus, alight at the Melbourne University tram stop.
Tram 19, which runs along Elizabeth Street and Royal Parade, also provides a direct connection between the CBD and the University.
By train
The Parkville Station is located on the Metro Tunnel and provides direct access to the University precinct. Melbourne Central Station is another convenient option, particularly for visitors staying in the CBD. From Melbourne Central, the University is approximately a 15–20 minute walk or a short tram journey away.
By bus
Several bus routes serve the Parkville campus. Use the Transport Victoria Journey Planner for current services and the most convenient route from your accommodation.
Paying for public transport
Melbourne’s public transport system uses myki, a reusable electronic travel card. myki can be used on metropolitan trains, trams and buses. Physical myki cards can be purchased and topped up at train stations and other myki outlets. Mobile myki is also available for Android devices.
For visitors travelling on a full fare, Melbourne also now supports contactless payment on trains, trams and buses. You can tap on using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, or a compatible smartphone or smartwatch. You should use the same card or device for the entire journey.
If you use myki, you should tap on when beginning your journey and tap off at the end where required. On trains and buses, you should tap on and off. For trams, tap off when your journey involves Zone 2; you do not need to tap off for a journey that remains entirely within Zone 1.
Important: The Free Tram Zone covers Melbourne’s central CBD and Docklands. Tram travel is free when the entire journey remains within this zone. The University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus is outside the Free Tram Zone, so a valid fare is required when travelling between the CBD and the University.
For current fares, ticketing information and journey planning, please refer to Transport Victoria.
Getting around Melbourne
Melbourne is easy to navigate, and many central attractions are within walking distance. The CBD, Carlton, Fitzroy and Parkville are all close to the conference venue.
The Free Tram Zone makes exploring the central CBD particularly convenient, while the wider tram, train and bus network provides connections to Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs.
Melbourne is also a very walkable city, and walking between the University, Carlton and the CBD can be an enjoyable way to experience the city.
Carlton, Parkville and nearby neighbourhoods
The University is located between Parkville and Carlton, two of Melbourne’s popular inner-city neighbourhoods. Carlton has a strong Italian heritage and is particularly well known for its restaurants, cafés and proximity to the University.
Lygon Street is famous for its restaurants and cafés, while nearby Brunswick Street and Smith Street in Fitzroy offer a wide range of restaurants, bars, independent shops and galleries.
Melbourne is also famous for its café culture, and there are numerous cafés and restaurants within walking distance of the University. Some local favourites recommended by SGEAS staff and students include La Mielle, Heart attack and Vine, Brunetti Oro, Standing Room and Hugo’s Deli.
Where to stay
A range of hotels, serviced apartments and hostels is available near the University and in central Melbourne. Conference attendees can receive a discounted rate via this link at the Crowne Plaza:
https://www.ihg.com/
This is also a highly recommended hostel:
https://thedrifter.com/
International visitors should check cancellation terms, accessibility, breakfast inclusions and the distance to public transport before booking.
Parking, taxis and rideshare
Paid public parking is available on the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus, although spaces can be limited on weekdays. Additional paid parking is available at Ace Parking on Cardigan Street and at Elgin Street Public Parking. Public transport is generally the most convenient way to reach the University.
Taxis and rideshare services such as Uber are readily available throughout Melbourne. The city is also well served by airport transfer services, making travel between Melbourne Airport, the CBD and the University relatively straightforward.
For visitors unfamiliar with Melbourne, public transport is generally the easiest and most cost-effective way to travel to and from the conference venue.
Weather and what to pack
Melbourne is well known for its changeable weather, particularly during the cooler months. It is possible to experience several different weather conditions in a single day.
Conference attendees should come prepared for changing temperatures and occasional rain. A warm layer, waterproof or water-resistant raincoat and umbrella are recommended, particularly if you plan to walk between the University, your accommodation and local attractions.
Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended, as many parts of central Melbourne and the surrounding neighbourhoods are easily explored on foot.
Visitor essentials
Australia uses 230–240 V electricity and Type I plugs. The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), and card and contactless payments are widely accepted. Victoria observes Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10) and Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT, UTC+11) during daylight saving. International visitors should confirm current visa and entry requirements before travelling.
The meeting is organised by Dr. Vera Korasidis and Dr. Bianca Dickson.
School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The University of Melbourne
aasp-2027@unimelb.edu.au
Thematic sessions will provide a forum for focused discussion of specific topics, emerging research areas and innovative applications of established approaches in palynology and palaeobotany. Sessions may focus on a particular subdiscipline or showcase the work of international collaborative groups.
Submit your proposal by 1 December 2026 to aasp-2027@unimelb.edu.au.
Important dates
1 September 2026: Call for thematic session proposals opens
1 December 2026: Deadline for thematic session proposals
1 March 2027: Abstract submission opens
1 May 2027: Abstract submission and early registration deadline
1 June 2027: Final program published
12 July 2027: Conference begins
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we work, learn and live. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the Academy.