Pre-conference Workshops

Sign up when registering for the conference or you can select the 'workshop only' sign up option on the registration page HERE if not attending the conference. All workshops will be held at The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Note: An additional $50 will be applied to all workshop fees after the early bird registration deadline of 27 June 2025.

Workshop Overview 

Please note all workshops have a minimum and maximum number of participants required to run the workshop. We will contact you if the workshop does not reach minimum numbers. The organising committee reserves the right to cancel a workshop at any time.

Fundamentals of dose response assessment

Dose response assessment and determination of points of departure for risk assessment is a fundamental requirement for human health risk assessment. This session will teach the fundamentals of dose response assessment and will include interactive examples and case studies.

Workshop Leaders: Dr Rhian Cope & Dr Maryam Moslehi, SLR Consulting

Weaving Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives into Decision-making

This workshop on Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives aims to provide insights into Māori world views, knowledge systems and cultural aspects that influence how Māori interact with the natural environment and resources. Developing an understanding of indigenous concepts, values and societal structures can lead decision makers to identify opportunities for collaborative, long-term relationships that enable Indigenous perspectives to be appropriately considered in decision-making. Using examples from the policies and processes of the Environmental Protection Authority, New Zealand (e.g., He Whetū Mārama; Mātauranga Framework; Hazardous Substances decision-making; Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao), the workshop will explore how Māori knowledge and perspectives are being woven into decision making at the EPA, progress to date, lessons learned, and ways forward. The workshop will be facilitated by the EPA's Kaupapa Kura Taiao group.

Workshop Leader: EPA New Zealand's Kaupapa Kura Taiao group

Introduction to Chemical Risk Assessment for Water and Food Professionals: From Principles to Practice

Understanding chemical risk assessment isn't just for toxicologists anymore – it's becoming an essential skill for everyone working in water and food safety.

With regulations requiring the inclusion of chemical risk management within Food Safety Plans and Water Safety Plans, understanding the basics of chemical risk assessment is now essential for everyone working in the water and food sectors. This hands-on workshop, led by leading experts from Australia and New Zealand, will demystify chemical risk assessment and demonstrate its crucial role in protecting public health and maintaining regulatory compliance.

This workshop will cover key risk assessment concepts including how toxicity is determined, exposure assessment, how regulatory limits are set, and is specifically designed for:

• Waters managers
  
• Food safety coordinators and quality assurance managers
  
• Environmental health officers
  
• Compliance officers
  
• Industry consultants and auditors
  

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Australasia's leading risk assessment experts and network with peers facing similar challenges in the industry.

Workshop Leaders: Belinda Cridge, Water NZ & Katie Richardson, Senversa

Risk communication & risk language

Effective and successful communication of risks of harm does not always occur. This can result in upset communities and other stakeholders, with perceptions of risk that are significantly higher than what the science tells us. This workshop will provide information on the theory and practice of risk communication and the use of appropriate risk language, to assist with the development of effective communication strategies with stakeholders. Case studies and role-playing exercises will be used to present the do's and don'ts of risk communication. 

Workshop Leader: Dr Victor Kabay, Cleanaway & Dr Nicola Mutch, ESR

Wastewater based epidemiology in Australasia

Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) whereby chemical markers in municipal wastewater are monitored is increasingly being accepted as a robust method to determine the health of communities and track the use of chemicals including recreational drugs. This workshop will bring together experts in WBE to provide a snapshot of monitoring and research programmes in Australasia, and to identify challenges and future research needs.

Workshop Leaders: Prof Sally Gaw, University of Canterbury & Prof Kevin Thomas, The University of Queensland