In 2025, the International Weight Stigma Conference will be held online and in Australia for the first time, at Griffith University on the gorgeous Gold Coast, Country of the Kombumerri People of the Yugambeh language region – where winter temperatures in July average highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C and the sun is almost guaranteed to shine every day.
The Annual International Weight Stigma Conference is an inter-disciplinary event that brings together scholars and practitioners from a range of backgrounds (e.g., public health, government and public policy, psychology, medicine, bioethics, sociology, anthropology, allied health professions, education, sports and exercise science, social sciences, media studies, business, law, activism, and the lay public) to consider research, policy, rhetoric, and practice around the issue of weight stigma.
This year’s theme “From weight stigma to weight inclusiveness and liberation” highlights the importance of moving beyond studies that demonstrate the extent of the issue, to work that demonstrates how to address and effectively mitigate the issue. By offering a space for learning, collaboration, and action, the conference aims to contribute to the dismantling of weight stigma and the enhancement of weight inclusive and liberatory practices, thereby fostering a more equitable, just, and inclusive society.
We are now accepting abstracts for oral presentations and posters, as well as session proposals including brief symposia, round tables, debates, and workshops. We are also interested in non-traditional submissions (e.g., media, performance, art). The two-day interdisciplinary programme will cover the entire weight stigma spectrum, from foundational research through to implementation research, practice, policy, and activism, and feature an outstanding roster of international speakers and local experts.
We invite contributions across a wide range of disciplines and methodological and theoretical approaches. Intersectional approaches and perspectives from other groups with unequal access to power and privilege are especially welcome. We encourage submissions from scholars, practitioners, policy makers, and activists. Students are especially encouraged to submit proposals.
Visit our abstract submission page for more information.
The Weight Stigma Conference respectfully acknowledges the Kombumerri People of the Yugambeh language region as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, skies, and waterways of the Country on which the conference will take place. We pay respect to First Peoples throughout the world and their Elders past and present, in the spirit of reconciliation, aiming to foster justice and collaboration as we tread lightly upon this land together to deepen our learning and understanding.
Previous Conferences
Information about previous conferences, including conference brochure and abstract books, and speaker slides, is available here.
Weight Stigma Conference Bursary Fund
The Weight Stigma Conference is a not-for-profit event. The conference is funded by registration fees and sponsors whose support has made this event possible. In order to make the conference more accessible, we offer a small number of full and partial bursaries to people who might otherwise not be able to attend, but there is never enough funding to give a bursary to everyone who needs one. Since 2016, we have been crowdsourcing the conference Bursary Fund, and your generosity allowed us to provide 81 bursaries so far.
There are several ways that you can donate to the Bursary Fund. If you are planning on attending the conference this year, there will be a donation option on the Registration form. Otherwise, please visit our GoFundMe page to make a donation. All funds raised via these methods are ring-fenced for bursaries and will not be used for anything else. Thank you again for your generosity in helping us make this possible.