PRATO 2027
Safer Communities:
Trajectories & Turning Points
28th to 30th September, 2027
Join us for the 20th anniversary of the Safer Communities Conference
In the twenty years since the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science first held a conference in Prato, the landscape of justice, mental health and support services has changed significantly. New ideas, paradigms, and perspectives have reshaped how we understand individuals, families and communities, and the ways in which we respond to their needs. This 'Safer Communities’ conference brings together practitioners, legal decision makers, advocates, researchers and policymakers to reflect on the changing paradigms that shape our work, the impact of these changes on practice and policy, and the pathways ahead for individuals, families and communities. As we return to Prato to mark this significant milestone, we invite you to join us in looking back, looking forward, and imagining the next twenty years.
The conference will give particular attention to the following themes:
• Crime and criminal behaviour in adults and young people
• Family violence and child welfare
• Gender, diversity and cultural considerations
• Legal reforms for responding to and managing criminal behaviour
• Advances in prevention and intervention programs and approaches to desistance
• Mental illness, trauma, personality dysfunction, substance misuse and crime
• Risk, intervention, diversion and decarceration approaches and policy
Location
Monash University Prato campus is located on the ground and first floors of the elegant 18th century Palazzo Vaj on Via Pugliesi in the historic centre of Prato.
Prato, in northern Tuscany, is close to several of Europe's most significant cities and institutions. It is located 20 minutes from Florence and the European University Institute in Fiesole, one hour from Bologna (home to Europe's oldest university), two hours from Rome and three hours from Milan.
There’s plenty more to come!
We’ll be adding presenter details, key dates, pre-conference workshops, social activities, abstract submission guidelines and more over the coming months as we build towards the conference.
Keep an eye on this page — we’ll be sharing more soon. Sign up to the Centre mailing list to receive announcements.
Step back in time
Interested to get a feel for the conference? Visit a few of our previous conference pages to view the programs.
2025
2023
2019
Conference partners
The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology provides academic and clinical excellence in forensic mental health research and practice. We bring together academics, clinicians, researchers and students from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, law, occupational therapy and epidemiology. Our research, consulting services and professional development and training programs have strengthened the field of forensic behavioural science in Australia and overseas.
Visit our website.
Have a query about the conference? Get in touch at prato2027@swin.edu.au
The conference committee
The conference committee is made up of academic and professional staff from Swinburne University, and Monash University.
- Michael Daffern - Director at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, and Professor of Clinical Forensic Psychology
- Rosemary Sheehan AM FASSA - Emeritus Professor in Social Work at Monash University
- Rachael Fullam - Professor of Forensic Behavioural Science Innovation and Engagement, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
- Benjamin Spivak - Associate Professor of Forensic Psychology, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
- Brett McIvor - Operations Manager and Conference Coordinator, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Get in touch