Reflections from the 2026 Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) conference held in Auckland, New Zealand
Last month the 2026 Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) conference was held at the University of Auckland, in Auckland, New Zealand. ASBHM is one of our favourite conferences each year. In addition to hearing the latest in behavioural health science, the conference has a wonderful welcoming feel. Attendees span disciplines and research areas, coming together with a shared goal: supporting improved health for all.
This year, ASBHM had a strong focus on qualitative, and co-design methods and meaningful inclusion of lived experience expertise in research. Speakers explored how systems, policies, and the environment shape people’s health. Too often, health is framed as individual responsibility, where risk is seen as a personal choice, and people are labelled as either “healthy” or “unhealthy”. This year’s conference instead highlighted the need for change at a broader level, to better support people’s physical and psychological health .
ACBRD team member Dr Eloise Litterbach presented her research on type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk reduction for women and children following gestational diabetes (GDM). This qualitative study, conducted with 19 Australian healthcare professionals, highlighted the need for more family-centred care and better referral pathways for T2D risk reduction after GDM.
Some of other key highlights included Professor Lisa Te Morenga’s presentation on the importance of school lunches for children in New Zealand, focusing on food security, mental health, and long-term health benefits. Dr Olga Perski’s talk on AI-powered, “just-in-time” adaptive interventions offered a glimpse into the future of personalised behaviour change.
Other notable sessions focused on contemporary issues in qualitative research. Dr Ally Gibson urged for more critical and reflexive thinking, and better guidance around the use of AI in research. Prof Virginia Braun reminded us that thematic analysis requires slow, creative scholarship and that researchers’ influence is a resource, not a “dirty secret”. We were also inspired by Professor Kerry Gibson, who shared her experience using WhatsApp as a novel qualitative research method.
It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, make new connections, and share ideas. The conference was inspiring and energising. We’re already looking forward to ASBHM 2027, in Perth.
You can also read ACBRD’s round-ups of the 2024 and 2025 ASBHM conferences here.