In support of National Road Safety Week, Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) NSW Chapter proudly presents the second annual PhD Invitational, in honour of Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan (1986-2025), an esteemed colleague, road safety expert, and a cherished ACRS member and University of New South Wales (UNSW) alumni.
Expressions of interest are invited from PhD candidates to present in-person to a live audience in simulated road safety conference conditions.
The event is to be held at UNSW Kensington Campus from 5:30pm on Thursday 21 May 2026. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the PhD Invitational (after 7pm).
Your field of study will be relevant/applicable to road safety. Presenters are strictly time-limited to 10 minutes each, with no more than four (4) PPT slides. Presenters will also appear as panellists in a Q&A session.
PhD Candidates interested in taking part are asked to email nsw@acrs.org.au with their:
- Name and contact details
- Field and place of study
- Expected completion date (year/month) of their PhD
- Any other relevant information (PhD advisor, etc.)
Expressions of Interest close on 31 March 2026. Virtual or pre-recorded presentations are ineligible. Presenters appear at their own expense.
Information on the 2025 PhD Invitational can be found at here, and a recording of the event can be viewed here.
The recipient of the 2026 Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan Scholarship (DPPS) will also be announced at the PhD Invitational. Supported by the NRMA, the DPPS is a scholarship for a regional NSW-based early career road safety professional to attend the Australasian Road Safety Conference.
ACRS is grateful to UNSW School of Aviation for their assistance in this offering event.
Thank you to the NRMA for supporting the DPPS