Australian science and technology are delivering new capabilities, industries, jobs and better outcomes for Australians. A new video series launched by Science & Technology Australia (STA) will bring these stories to a national audience.
Ideas to Impact, produced by STA in partnership with ASN Media, showcases the people, research infrastructure, technologies and ideas strengthening Australia's science and technology capability.
Launched today by the Assistant Minister for International Education, Hon Julian Hill MP, during National Science Week, the series features stories spanning emerging technologies, research and development, investment and commercialisation, research infrastructure and the future STEM workforce. It demonstrates how Australian research is moving from discovery to practical application and the national benefits that follow.
The series is being launched as Australia looks to implement the recommendations of the Ambitious Australia report, a blueprint for strengthening Australia's research and development system. The report calls for stronger connections between discovery research, industry, finance, government and commercialisation. Connections brought to life through the real-world stories featured in Ideas to Impact.
STA CEO Ryan Winn said the series would help Australians see the connection between investment in science and technology and the benefits it delivers for the nation.
"Australia has extraordinary scientific capability, but too often we don't see the journey from an idea in a laboratory to the impact it later has on people, industry and the economy," Mr Winn said.
"Ideas to Impact puts that journey front and centre. These are stories about Australian researchers and organisations solving real problems, building new capabilities and creating opportunities for our future."
"The series also demonstrates why the recommendations of the Ambitious Australia report matter. If we want to turn more great Australian ideas into Australian jobs, businesses, technologies and economic value, we need a research and innovation system that is connected from discovery through to impact."
The inaugural series features case studies including AuScope, where national research infrastructure is helping scientists identify critical mineral resources more efficiently; RMIT's Discovery to Device facility, which is helping translate medical research into scalable diagnostic technologies; and the Australian Access Federation, which provides trusted digital infrastructure that enables researchers to securely access data, computing and scientific instruments.
Other stories feature Microscopy Australia, Phenomics Australia, the National Imaging Facility and Eppendorf South Pacific, highlighting the often unseen infrastructure, expertise and technologies underpinning Australian research.
The series also examines Australia's future STEM workforce and the role of initiatives such as Superstars of STEM and Science Meets the Economy in building a more visible and connected scientific community.
Mr Winn said these stories showed that R&D was not an abstract investment, but an essential foundation for Australia's future prosperity and resilience, and ultimately meaningful jobs across the economy.
"From critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to health, digital infrastructure and the STEM workforce, these stories show Australian science and technology working across the economy and addressing challenges that matter to all Australians," he said.
"These stories show what successfully implementing Ambitious Australia would look like. Connecting capability, investment, people and ideas so that Australian research can deliver more impact."
The Ideas to Impact series will be shared across STA's digital and social media channels to help build broader public understanding of Australia's research and development system and the role it plays in national productivity, prosperity, resilience and wellbeing.
Watch the Ideas to Impact series: ideastoimpact.sta.org.au
