FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting
sponsored by FIRN and The University of Melbourne
Monday 26 October 2026
Woodward Conference Centre | The University of Melbourne | Level 10, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton
FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting is an annual intensive research meeting hosted in association with FIRN which aims to provide academic members with an opportunity to connect with peers and gain a deeper understanding of Asset Pricing.
We look forward to you joining us.
You are invited to submit your paper to the 13th annual FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting hosted by The University of Melbourne and FIRN, Australia’s Global Finance Research Network. The meeting is a one-day conference to be held in person on Monday, 26 October 2026 at The University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia and will include paper presentations and discussions. This year we are very pleased to have Andrea Vedolin, Professor of Finance at Questrom School of Business, Boston University, as our keynote speaker.
We invite researchers to submit unpublished empirical or theoretical papers on all topics in asset pricing and investments to ap-meeting@unimelb.edu.au by 5 June 2026. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: theoretical and empirical models of asset prices and returns, return predictability, empirical methodology, macro-finance, the study of financial institutions as related to asset prices, information and liquidity in asset markets, behavioural investment studies, asset market structure and microstructure, risk analysis, hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds, ESG, and alternative investments.
AWARDS: There will be prizes awarded to the best paper and the best discussion at the meeting.
PAPER SUBMISSIONS: Interested authors are invited to submit their papers to ap-meeting@unimelb.edu.au by 5 June 2026. There is no submission fee. Please note, that the FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting will be held in person at the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. Acceptance emails will be sent by 7 August 2026, and you will be asked to confirm your in-person attendance before your paper is included in the conference program.
Organising Committee: Shuang Chen, Joachim Inkmann, Bryan Lim, and Lucie Lu
Contact Us: ap-meeting@unimelb.edu.au
Keynote Speaker
Andrea Vedolin
Professor of Finance, Department Chair Finance, Questrom School of Business, Boston University
Andrea Vedolin is a professor of finance at Boston University, a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a research fellow at the Center of Economic Policy Research. Andrea's primary research fields are asset pricing and macroeconomics. Her research has been published in various top journals. She is an associate editor at the Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies, Review of Asset Pricing Studies, and Journal of Financial Econometrics. She earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Lugano.
2025 FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting Best Paper Award
The Risk and Return of Stocks and Bonds
by Alex Dickerson (UNSW), Jan Ericsson (McGill), Mathieu Fournier (UNSW), Piotr Orlowski (HEC Montreal)
2025 FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting Best Discussant Award
Dr Jun Yu from The University of Melbourne
Accommodation
FIRN Melbourne Asset Pricing Meeting 2026 has negotiated a discounted accommodation rate for conference attendees at hotels close to The University of Melbourne.
voco Melbourne Central
18 Timothy Lane, Melbourne 3000
The hotel is moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station and the Emporium Shoppping Centre and approximately a 10 minute walk to The University of Melbourne.
Please click here to access the direct booking link which will offer 15% discount off the best available rate.
Veriu Queen Victoria Market
91/101 Therry St, Melbourne 3000
Conveniently located next to the iconic Queen Victoria Market and approximately 8 minutes walk to The University of Melbourne, with a range of premium dining outlets and shops on the hotel's doorstep.
Please click here and then enter the special code MBS26 which will offer 20% discount off the best available rate. (When submitting the code, you will need to select rate access/corporate code.)
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton
Navigating Melbourne
Catching Public Transport
To use public transport in Melbourne City requires a Myki card. You can purchase a Myki card at most convenience stores or major stations across Melbourne for $6. This will provide you with access to Melbourne's trams, trains, and buses. Within the Melbourne CBD is the ‘Free Tram Zone’, however outside of this area you will need to “Touch On”. You can download a map of the Free Tram Zone HERE. The City of Melbourne produces a free app entitled ‘PTV’ to help you navigate.
Traveling From the Airport
The Sky Bus travels from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Southern Cross Station in the Melbourne CBD. This service leaves the airport roughly every 20 minutes and costs from $23.90 for a one-way or from $40.00 return.
Getting to the University of Melbourne
From the CBD:
To get to The University of Melbourne from Melbourne city center, simply catch any tram going up Swanston Street or Elizabeth Street.
Navigating Melbourne University
The University of Melbourne was first founded in 1853 and is Australia’s second oldest University. The University spans two campuses. The main campus is located in Parkville. There is also a second campus in Southbank where the Victorian College of the Arts resides.
You can view a campus map below or access the University of Melbourne interactive map.
