Conference Theme
The 3rd Australia-Bhutan Research Conference aims to bridge knowledge and innovation by harnessing the collective expertise of Bhutanese researchers and HDR students in Australia, Bhutan and beyond. It seeks to foster meaningful research collaborations and knowledge exchange that contribute to Bhutan’s developmental priorities and global academic dialogue.
Objectives
Specifically, the ABRC 2025 aims to achieve the following objectives:
Promote Knowledge Exchange: Provide a platform to discuss research that aligns with Bhutan’s developmental priorities such as GNH, mindfulness, sustainability, innovation, good governance, and technology.
Build Research Networks: Strengthen networks among Bhutanese HDR students in Australian universities with higher education academics and students in Bhutan and globally for a sustained collaboration beyond the Conference.
Enhance Capacity Building: Share best practices, research methodologies and research findings to strengthen Bhutan’s research ecosystem.
Foster Academia-Policymaker Engagement: Strengthen collaboration to foster research-informed policy-making, initiatives and innovations to address emerging challenges and achieve long term national goals.
Strengthen Bilateral Relations: Strengthen partnerships between Australia and Bhutan through academic and cultural exchange.
Sub-Themes
The Conference will focus on the following thematic areas relevant to Bhutan’s developmental goals, including but not limited to:
Innovation in Higher Education: Reimagine higher education as a transformative space for the development of enlightened and world ready citizens in the face of rapid global changes.
Happiness and Wellbeing in Cross-Cultural Contexts: Explore diverse philosophical, cultural, and scientific approaches to wellbeing—integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and community health within and across cultures through Bhutan’s global reputation as a blueprint for happiness and social thriving.
Climate Resilience and Sacred Ecology: Highlight the moral, spiritual and scientific dimensions of environmental stewardship, emphasising sacred ecological relationships, indigenous knowledge and climate resilience in Bhutan and beyond.
GNH-driven Economic Futures: Promote research into entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems that balances economic prosperity with sustainability, social wellbeing, ethical growth, and other GNH-inspired measures of progress.
Digital Mindfulness and the Future of Human–Technology Relations: Explore the role of mindful design and ethical digital integration, promoting human flourishing, deep learning, and balanced human–technology interaction.
Integration of STEM for Societal Impact: Encourage research to demonstrate how interdisciplinary STEM solutions address real world challenges and drive progress in communities, industries and national development.
Governance, Public Policy, and Leadership: Deliberate on how governance systems and leadership models can be reimagined to prioritise professionalism, effectiveness and productivity.