The call for papers for the 2025 conference is now open.
Submit an abstract or a launch/panel proposal by 24 August 2025.
The conference is multidisciplinary in nature, and examines topics related to aid and international development (the AID in the conference acronym). We welcome abstracts and panel proposals from academics, practitioners and students on the following topics:
- Aid effectiveness, at both the micro and macro level
- The political economy and politics of aid
- Aid and security
- Aid from non-traditional donors
- Gender and aid/development
- Aid and the private sector
- Humanitarian aid
- Aid evaluation
- International public goods (climate change, global health, etc.)
- Migration and international trade policy, from a development perspective
- The architecture of international aid and development, including the G20, World Bank, and other international agencies
- International development themes and trends
- Aid management and development practice
Submissions are welcomed from academics, practitioners and students. The AAC is a research conference. Abstracts arguing for particular policy positions are welcome, but must be based on solid research. Abstracts outlining proposed research will not be accepted.
Panel proposals that have an exclusively PNG/Pacific focus are encouraged to submit them for other events such as the Pacific Update or PNG Update.
The main emphasis of AAC2025 is on in-person presentations. However, there will also be limited opportunities for online presentations and blended (in-person and online) sessions.
3MAP: the 3-minute aid pitch
At AAC2025, in the style of the 3-minute thesis competition, selected 3MAP speakers will have three minutes to present their proposal, followed by audience questions and a vote to find our winner.
Watch the livestreamed recording of AAC2024 3MAP.
If you would like to submit a 3MAP, 3-minute aid pitch, email a short paragraph (200 words max) with your idea to improve Australian aid or development policy to devpolicy@anu.edu.au (with “3MAP pitch” in the subject line).
We will then select a handful of the most promising ideas to be presented and debated at AAC2025. Presenters receive a free two-day conference registration (dinner not included).
Funding for AAC presenters
The following opportunities to support presenters to attend AAC2025 are available:
Postgraduate students (all nationalities) based in Australia
We will cover domestic travel and accommodation costs for a limited number of PhD and post-graduate students who are accepted to present. Should your abstract and funding request be successful, we will arrange your accommodation (for two nights from 3–5 December in Canberra) and the most economic means of domestic transport to the conference. You will still be required to register to attend the conference at your own cost, and we recommend that you apply for funding from your university for this where possible.
Developing country presenters based overseas
We will waive registration fees for a limited number of presenters who are citizens of and will be travelling from a developing country to present at the conference. For these purposes, ‘developing country’ is defined using this list. We are NOT able to provide any support toward the cost of international travel or accommodation, and recommend that presenters based overseas seek support for this from their home institution. The conference dinner will not be included in the waiver.
Please note that you must request this funding via the form when submitting your abstract/panel proposal for consideration. Late requests will not be considered.
Due to limited resources, receipt of travel support and registration fee waivers cannot be guaranteed for all postgraduate students and developing country presenters who apply for it. In the case of us receiving more requests for this support than can be met from our budget, selection will be made by convenors based on the strength of the abstract.
If you have any questions, or if you do not receive an automated email confirming receipt of your abstract/panel proposal within one week of submission, please contact devpolicy@anu.edu.au with “2025 Australian AID Conference” in the subject line.
