Evidence and Action
Bridging the gap between empirical research and person-centred justice.
Announcement: Living Exhibition & Poster Display
Showcasing people and projects in access to justice.
We can finally announce one of the central elements of our International Access to Justice Forum program: our living exhibition and walk-through poster display.
Presented by carefully selected project leaders ready to talk you through their work, this lunchtime display will showcase a diverse array of projects, creating not only a walk-through exhibition but a touchpoint for meaningful conversations and professional connections.
If you are one of our poster exhibition presenters, please read our poster guidelines, set out below.
Otherwise, come prepared to ask questions, swap notes, and learn about the incredible work being undertaken by the people you might otherwise unknowingly pass by in the foyer.
About our poster display exhibition
If you are presenting a poster at our Access to Justice living exhibition and poster display, please refer to the following guidelines when preparing your work.y
Why have we chosen a poster exhibition?
Unlike a traditional presentation, a poster display serves as both a visual summary of your work and a conversation starter.
Delegates will have the opportunity to:
- Engage directly with you as a presenter
- Ask questions
- Exchange ideas
- Learn from lived experiences and expertise
… in an informal, interactive environment.
The benefits of poster displays
The magic of a simple design: a poster is an accessible, visually engaging way of communicating complex information. This is an opportunity to touch on elements of your project that can’t be articulated in research or formal presentations.
An opportunity for innovation: feel free to be imaginative, pose questions, pitch provocations, be playful, and directly invite feedback and engagement.
Audience engagement: Our aim is not just to increase the visibility of your work across our diverse audience, but to create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and future collaborations. Don’t forget to include contact options for future connection!
The Researcher Library Experience
The exhibition is designed as a Researcher Library (you may have heard of the “human library” concept before), where researchers become the "books" and conference participants become the "readers."
The Human Library format:
- Encourages one-on-one and small-group conversations.
- Creates opportunities for deeper discussion.
- Allows delegates to explore the stories, challenges, lessons learned, and practical applications behind the research.
- Promotes international knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Poster design specifications
Poster size
Your poster must be:
- A0 Size: 841 mm (W) × 1189 mm (H) (33 × 47 inches)
- Orientation: Portrait
- Readability: Your poster should be designed for readability from approximately 1–2 metres (3-6 feet) away.
We recommend:
✅ Clear and concise headings
✅ Minimal text
✅ Use of diagrams, graphs, images, and icons where appropriate
✅ Consistent fonts and colour schemes
✅ High contrast between text and background
✅ Adequate white space
✅ Consider hierarchy as you organise information – resource: The Importance of Hierarchy in Design | The Noun Project
Sample poster structure
We encourage you to design your poster in a unique way that best fits your research. If you are looking for guidance, the sections below are a strong structural starting point:
Title and Author Information
- Research title
- Author(s)
- Organisation/Institution
- Contact details (optional)
Research Question or Problem
- What issue, challenge, or question does the research address?
- Why is it important?
Methods
- Study design
- Participants
- Data collection and analysis methods
Key Findings
- Main results
- Data visualisations where possible
Implications
- Key learnings
- Practical applications
- Recommendations for policy, practice, or future research
- Prompts, questions, provocations
Printing instructions
Researchers are responsible for:
✅ Printing their own poster
✅ Bringing the printed poster to the conference venue
We recommend arranging printing at least 7–10 business days prior to the conference to allow sufficient time for production and any reprints if required.
Suggested Poster Printing Providers (Melbourne CBD)
The following providers offer large-format poster printing services:
- Officeworks Melbourne CBD
- Snap Printing Melbourne
- Kwik Kopy Melbourne
- Minuteman Press Melbourne
Transport tips
Carry posters in a protective poster tube where possible.
Ensure posters are completely dry before rolling.
Bring your poster to the conference on the first day.
On-site poster display information
Poster Mounting
Posters should be delivered and mounted during the designated setup period.
Poster Setup Time:
Wednesday 28 October, 8 – 9:30am
Poster Display Location:
Seminar Room, Monash College, 750 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Conference staff will be available to assist if required.
Materials Provided
The conference will provide:
- Pins and/or Velcro fastening materials
- Poster display boards (portrait orientation)
- Poster identification numbering/naming
- And in true library spirit, a “contents page” at the entrance to the exhibition space to enable attendees to navigate the library.
Please do not bring your own adhesive materials unless advised otherwise.
Presenter attendance requirements
One presenter per project is expected to be present at their poster during the scheduled Researcher Library sessions.
Please note: your poster Session Time will be confirmed before the Forum.
During this time, presenters are expected to:
- Engage with conference delegates
- Discuss research findings
- Answer questions
- Participate in Researcher Library conversations
We encourage presenters to prepare a brief ‘elevator pitch’ of their research that can be delivered to attendees as they visit the poster.
Tips for a successful poster presentation
Do:
- Be approachable and welcoming.
- Have your elevator pitch ready
- Consider the practical implications of your findings.
- Invite questions and discussion.
- Bring business cards or include a QR code linking to your publication or contact details.
Avoid:
- Excessive text.
- Small fonts that are difficult to read.
- Overly complex graphics.
- Reading directly from the poster.
Need more info?
Check out these website for more info on designing research posters:
- The Thesis Whisperer
- Poster Basics - How to Create a Research Poster - Research Guides at New York University
- Designing a poster [quick read]
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding poster preparation, printing, or conference logistics, please contact:
Vikki Doig, Events Manager, Victoria Law Foundation
vdoig@victorialawfoundation.org.au
+61 3 9604 8118
Improve access to justice
Victoria Law Foundation in partnership with Monash University, Faculty of Law, is proud to host the 2026 International Access to Justice Forum: Evidence and Action, in Melbourne from 28 to 30 October 2026.
The Forum brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and justice system leaders from around the world to strengthen the global community working to improve access to justice.
At a time of growing complexity and pressure on justice systems, the Forum focuses on the dynamic relationship between research and action. It will examine what works, why it works, and how evidence can be translated into real-world impact across different legal and social contexts.
The forum is distinguished by its empirical and outcomes-focused orientation. It creates a shared space for quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation, data and lived experience to sit alongside insights and innovation from implementation and delivery.
Theme: Evidence and Action
At a time of growing complexity and pressure on justice systems, the Forum focuses on the dynamic relationship between research and action. Distinguished by its empirical and outcomes-focused orientation, the Forum will examine what works, why it works, and how evidence can be translated into real-world impact across different legal and social contexts.
The Forum also recognises that action itself generates evidence. Learning from implementation, experimentation, and practice-based insight is central to building smarter systems, improving outcomes, and avoiding well-intentioned but ineffective reforms.
Why attend
Building on the legacy of recent Forums in New York (2025), Toronto (2024), and Los Angeles, Irvine (2023), the Melbourne Forum will continue the tradition of cross-border dialogue, collaborative learning, and innovation.
The Forum also recognises that action itself generates evidence. Learning from implementation, experimentation and practice-based insight is central to building smarter systems, improving outcomes and avoiding well-intentioned but ineffective reforms.
What to expect
Although the program is still in development, participants can look forward to:
- inspiring plenary sessions with leaders in law, policy, academia, and community justice from across the world
- dynamic breakout panels and workshops exploring innovative research, emerging tools including legal technology and digitisation, pathways to person-centred justice, and intersections with climate, inequality and democratic integrity
- cross-sector and international networking that fosters collaboration between researchers, legal aid providers, community leaders, and justice innovators
- a distinctly Melbourne experience with sessions grounded in Victoria’s justice ecosystem, community legal sector, and research leadership while also contributing to the global access to justice conversation.
Who should attend
This Forum is for anyone interested in advancing access to justice, including:
- legal academics and researchers
- community and public interest lawyers
- court and tribunal officials
- justice technology innovators and service designers
- policymakers and civil society advocates
- educators and students across law and allied disciplines.
Venue: Monash University
Monash University, 750 Collins Street Campus, Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria
The Forum will take place at Monash University’s 750 Collins Street campus in Docklands. This venue is a modern, flexible space well-equipped for plenaries, breakout sessions, workshops, and smallgroup conversations. Centrally located with excellent public transport and nearby accommodation, the venue is convenient for local and international delegates and designed to encourage open and collaborative dialogue.
Steering Committee
The Forum is guided by a Steering Committee of respected leaders from justice research, policy, practice and innovation. Their diverse expertise helps shape a program that is rigorous, relevant, and globally minded.
- Dr. Hugh McDonald - Research Director, Victoria Law Foundation
- Associate Professor Genevieve Grant – Australian Centre for Justice Innovation at Monash University
- Professor Nigel Balmer – Research Director, Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner
- Matthew Burnett – Research Director, American Bar Foundation
- Louisa Gibbs – Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria
- Professor Lola Akin Ojelabi – School of Law, RMIT University Melbourne
- Simon Goodrich – Cofounder and Director, Portable
- Olivia Nguy – Director, Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales
Secure your pass to the Forum
We're looking forward to hosting you alongside other global leaders in access to justice, in Melbourne's Docklands precinct.
Presented by
Principal sponsor
