Abstract submissions

The theme for 2026 is: 'We Know The Way’.

This theme is an acknowledgement of the extraordinary expertise that is held by the diverse community of advocates, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience who are already working to build change in, and pathways out, of the justice system. This conference theme invites reflection on both what is working well, and reflection on how change itself can occur.

We encourage abstracts and reflections on the theme of 'We Know The Way' to move beyond describing the problems and harms of the justice system, into deeper conversations about what alternatives to the existing system look like and the practical steps that individuals, communities, services, and systems might take to build sustainable change.

Sub-themes

We are seeking diverse abstracts that address the conference theme ‘We Know The Way’ and at least one of the sub-themes below:

1. Grounded in culture, place and hope (For example: presentations exploring place-based approaches, justice reinvestment initiatives and First Nations leadership; presentations exploring the role of culture, place and hope in reintegration). 

2. Storytelling for healing and impact (For example: presentations exploring the role of creative programs in justice system settings, the role of the arts and storytelling in contributing to social change, and presentations exploring the risks and opportunities of lived experience storytelling).

3. The alternatives (For example: presentations exploring prevention, early intervention and diversionary pathways, alternative police responder models, alternative bail responses, alternative court models, alternative models of imprisonment, and presentations exploring building pathways outside of prison with a focus on post-release).

4. Myths and truths in data and evidence (For example: presentations unpacking the role of evidence in the justice system; what evidence is listened to and what evidence is ignored when it comes to resource and policy decisions? How do the stories that are told in the media about crime and safety relate to the experiences of people living in those communities?).

5. Children and young people (For example: presentations exploring the unique needs and impacts of children and young people in contact with the justice system).

6. Digital inclusion (For example: presentations exploring the role of digital skills for social and economic empowerment; what are the digital barriers to reintegration? What is the role of emerging technologies in assisting with reintegration? How might the growth in tech and digital industries provide employment pathways?)

7. Activism and advocacy (For example: presentations focused on lessons and achievements from justice issue campaigns, the challenges and opportunities of building movements in the justice sector, and campaigns in different sectors that might have lessons for advocates working in decarceration).

Open call for abstract submissions

Submissions to present at the 19th Reintegration Puzzle Conference are open from Thursday 27 November 2025 – Wednesday 4 February 2026.

All submissions must:

• Align with the general conference theme "We Know The Way" and at least one of the sub-themes (see list above).

• Include a 250-300 word abstract about the presentation

• Include a 250-word bio of each presenter

• Indicate the mode of presentation:

  • 20-minute presentation (one or two presenters)

  • 40-minute panel discussion (three to five presenters)

• Include person-centred language. We recommend the Community Restorative Centre’s Language Guide, available here or other similar language guides

• Demonstrate consideration of participant and presenter safety when speaking to potentially sensitive and/or triggering content

Once the submission process is closed, an independent committee will review all submissions and applicants will be informed by 13 March 2025 of the outcome of their submission.

This committee will be independent and comprised of diverse stakeholders with relevant subject matter expertise, including but not limited to, persons with lived experience of the justice system, representatives from communities that are overrepresented in the justice system, researchers, community organisations and policy advocates.

Terms and conditions

• Submission of abstracts implies the presenter’s agreement to publish the abstract in all conference publications, including the website. Successful abstracts must be presented by the presenter/s and/or a nominated co-presenter/s.

• Acceptance of abstracts does not imply any payment from the Reintegration Puzzle Conference and the host Justice Reform Initiative. Presenters must arrange and pay their own accommodation, travel and other expenses to attend the conference (please note: presenters with lived experience of incarceration can apply for financial support to go towards their travel and accommodation expenses).

• All presenters must register and pay to attend the conference. A 'speaker' rate for conference registration will be available and for any speakers with direct lived experience of incarceration, there will be the option to apply for a bursary which includes complimentary registration.

• Applications will be reviewed by an independent committee and presenters will be advised in writing of the status of their application.

• An abstract submission may also be waitlisted depending on the availability of sessions. Due to the expected number of submissions, it is not possible to provide feedback on individual abstracts.

• Acceptance or otherwise is at the discretion of the independent committee whose decision is final.

More information

For more information, please refer to:

• Step-by-step guide on how to use the portal, available here.