In September 2024, ASHM delivered two landmark conferences at ICC Sydney on Gadigal Country: the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 and 25th IUSTI World Congress (incorporating the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference).
Together, these conferences united over 1,200 delegates from 35 countries over 5 days to discuss the latest advancements in HIV and sexual and reproductive health.
“The reason I keep coming to ASHM conferences is three-fold. It’s the amazing, stimulating research that we get to listen to from Australia and the region. It’s the social aspect of it too, seeing people from around Australia and the region that we only see once a year. But it’s also the opportunity to establish new collaborations, and then year on year continue those collaborations.”
Additional opportunities for collaboration, learning and networking ran alongside the diverse main program, including 18 auxiliary meetings and a Paediatric Special Theme Day co-presented with Sydney Children’s Hospital HIV service.
A space for connection
The exhibition hall was a bustling hub for exchanging knowledge and forging new connections. On the exhibition floor were 336 posters, 9 exhibitors, diverse tabletop displays and stores, major sponsor stands, and the ASHM Learning Lounge, a hub where guest speakers engaged delegates during session breaks with captivating and diverse presentations, spanning from Q&As to a live podcast recording.
Art was also integrated throughout the exhibition space, showcasing artworks from last year’s HIV Science as Art exhibition (part of the 2023 IAS Conference on HIV Science in Meanjin/Brisbane), where HIV scientists were paired with artists living with HIV to interpret their research, as well as the HIV Unwrapped exhibition. HIV Unwrapped paired fashion students with HIV researchers/scientists to reinterpret lab coats inspired by the work being done in the HIV sector. The resulting garments were unveiled for the first time at the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference and went on to be displayed Melbourne Fashion Week 2024.
“It’s been really tremendously fabulous to see science some to life on these 13 lab coats…It is an absolute pleasure to watch science being translated and communicated in a way that people get, that they engage with.”
Fostering the next generation of researchers
Early Career Researchers were uplifted and inspired during the conferences through opportunities and events designed to expand their skills and networks.
An Early Career Researcher uses the Detective Board.
By using the Detective Board in the exhibition hall, Early Career Researchers could connect with each other via shared interests, with the display inviting attendees to write down a bit about themselves and their research for others to discover.
There were also a number of dedicated Early Career Researchers information and networking sessions, where established researchers shared their experience and advice on topics such as strategies for getting published and preparing for conference presentations.
Both conferences were also made more accessible to students through discounted registration rates.
Recognising the sector
The contributions of researchers, community workers, early career professionals, and health professionals were celebrated with 30 awardees recognised for their important work across Australia and the world.
Each year, the Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award is given to future key opinion leaders making an impact across blood-borne viruses (BBVs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual and reproductive health. At the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 opening ceremony, Dr Tiffany Phillips and Marcus Shaw were awarded the Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award in recognition of their outstanding leadership and impact through their work in research, community outreach, and advocacy.
The full lists of conference award winners are available on the 25th IUSTI World Congress and Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 websites.
Looking forward
In 2025, both the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference and IUSTI World Congress will return!
Join us at Adelaide Convention and Exhibition Centre, Tarndanya (Adelaide) on Kaurna Country in Australia. The Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference (15 – 17 September) will run back-to-back with the Australasian Sexual Reproductive Health Conference (16-18 September).
HIV&AIDS + ASRH 2025
Meanwhile, the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress will be held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from July 26-30 2025.
More from the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 and 25th IUSTI World Congress
Gallery: Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 and 25th IUSTI World Congress
ASHM’s global impact highlighted at the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference and 25th IUSTI World Congress
Levinia Crooks Emerging Leader Award 2024 Winners Announced
Conference Sponsors and Supporters
ASHM would like to thank our conference sponsors, supporters, and partners for making the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 and 25th IUSTI World Congress (incorporating the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference) possible.
Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2024 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Major Supporter
Poster Tour Supporter
IUSTI World Congress (incorporating the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference Sponsors
Delivered by
Platinum Sponsors
Major Supporter
Destination Supporters
