Cultural Historical & Activity Research Summer School

Face-to-face
Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th December 2026
Warrnambool campus, Deakin University, Australia 

The Summer School is an opportunity for Doctoral and Early Career Researchers who are interested in developing their understanding and use Cultural-Historical & Activity theories and research methodologies, facilitated by senior researchers in the fields, to spend sustained time delving into theory and research. The School will be a residential retreat at the Warrnambool campus of Deakin University, an idyllic rural setting on the banks of the Hopkins River, and a pleasant train journey from Melbourne. It will be entirely face to face.

The Summer School brings together scholars with an emphasis on building deeper understandings of theory, relationships between researchers and advancing the research of doctoral students and early career researchers. Led by internationally recognised scholars: Nikolai Veresov, Andy Blunden, David Kellogg, and many others, the program is comprised of extended workshops, small group discussions, deep reading sessions, international presentation from the field, one-to-one consultations, and writing retreats led by senior academics. There is also time for reflection, recreation and enjoying nature including an afternoon at Tower Hill.

Catering

We will be self-catering. Once you have registered we will consult and plan food and cooking. We expect that it will cost about $200 for the three and a half days. We will collect this during the Summer School.

Accommodation

Each guest has a private, lockable bedroom with linen provided in a shared residential house on campus (individual bedroom, shared living, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities). The cost is $69 per night, or $207 for the three nights (Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th December). Bed type (single or double) cannot be guaranteed. Consider staying on for the weekend for an extra $69. There is a limited number of more expensive rooms available: contact us.

You can get extra information: https://accommodation.deakin.edu.au/short-stay/stay-at-warrnambool but do not book on this page. If you need further information ring: +61 3 5563 3111

We have limited places available, first come first served. You need to do two things:

Please fill in the official registration form: 2026 Cultural Historical & Activity Theory Summer School - Participant Survey – Fill in form

Send an email to Warrnambool accommodation: wsradmin@deakin.edu.au
They will get back to you and invoice you for the accommodation. The Warrnambool team are wonderfully helpful. Don’t hesitate to ring: +61 3 5563 3111

Include in your email:

• CHAR Summer School Group
• Your name:
• Check in date:
• Check out date:
• Estimated time of arrival (after 2pm):
• Email:
• Phone number:
• Home/Billing address:

Once you have registered with us on the survey, we will send you further information.

Contact

Any questions, ideas, suggestions, assistance, please contact us: 

John, Queena and Bonnie 
john.crippsclark@deakin.edu.au
queenalee@swin.edu.au
bonnie.zhen@vu.edu.au