The Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Research Officer, Professor Christina Twomey, today launched the ARC Training Centre for Behavioural Insights for Technology Adoption (BITA).
Led by the Queensland University of Technology, the BITA Training Centre will build the capacity of students, researchers, and partner organisations to foster the adoption of innovation in Australia, particularly in the vital areas of health, agriculture, and cybersecurity.
Professor Twomey said the BITA Training Centre aims to understand and address the behavioural, economic, and financial barriers to Australia's adoption of innovation.
"As well as punching well above its weight in research, Australia is a country rich in technological innovation," said Professor Twomey.
"The BITA Training Centre recognises Australia's need to improve the adoption and widespread use of technological innovations, for stronger economic growth and prosperity."
ARC Training Centres and Research Hubs are funded under the ARC's Industrial Transformation Research Program. Training Centres such as BITA increase collaboration between Australia's most innovative researchers and vital industries.
"As a Training Centre, BITA will also support interdisciplinary working relationships between researchers and industry partners, and develop skills in Australia's research community to tackle real-world challenges at a time when pathways to innovation in key commercial sectors are more important than ever," Professor Twomey said.
The ARC is investing almost $4.3 million over 4 years in the ARC Training Centre for Behavioural Insights for Technology Adoption, supported by $8.3 million in funding and in-kind support from university and industry partners.
The BITA Training Centre connects industry partners with interdisciplinary researchers and students, in a collaboration with 21 industry and government partners and 4 universities.
