Four of Deakin University's inspiring science, technology and engineering centres have joined Science & Technology Australia – the nation's leading voice for the science and technology community.
Science & Technology Australia is a powerful voice for science and technology with deep connections in the country's policy landscape. It now has 92 member organisations who employ or represent 90,000 STEM professionals nationwide.
The four new members are Deakin's Institute for Frontier Materials, Institute for Intelligent Systems and Research, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, and the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.
"Deakin University is one of Australia's powerhouse science and technology universities," said Science & Technology Australia CEO Misha Schubert.
"Its impressive leadership in science, technology and engineering is at the very forefront of solving big challenges including in manufacturing, drought resilience, robotics, space and defence technology, health, clean energy and new job creation."
"We are delighted to welcome these inspiring centres as members of Science & Technology Australia. They join a community of more than 90,000 STEM professionals working together through STA – a powerful voice for science and technology."
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Alfred Deakin Professor Julie Owens said the University and its institutes were delighted to be able to provide their expertise in these important fields to policymakers and the wider STEM sector.
"This partnership will enable us to build on our ongoing successes in STEM that have contributed to Australia's science and technology capabilities," Professor Owens said.
"From pioneering space and defence technologies to innovative mental health solutions, we look forward to sharing our expertise across STA's networks.
"We are excited to partner with STA who also will provide key opportunities to train and upskill Deakin researchers in policy engagement and communication, and to help us continue to forge valuable research networks and collaborations across the sector."
The Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) is Australia's leading centre for materials science research. From developing new alloys faster to leading the charge to develop a carbon fibre industry for Australia, IFM is tackling the big material challenges of Australia's key industries, with a crucial focus on the circular economy.
Under the leadership of Australian Space Researcher of the Year Professor Saeid Nahavandi, The Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) at Deakin develops robotics, haptics, and human-machine interactions. The team of more than 80 researchers are providing practical solutions and commercial-ready products for the aerospace, automotive, rail, defence, security, and health industries.
The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) at Deakin has an amazing team of more than 250 researchers making life better and healthier for Australians through translating medical research into real-world solutions across mental health, molecular medicine, food and mood, population health, and more.
The brilliant team at the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures (CeRRF) are working with the industry, government, community, and not-for-profit sectors to help make Australia's regions sustainable and resilient. The researchers at CeRRF work across a range of key challenges facing regional and rural communities, including water availability, drought resilience, climate adaptation, and agtech.
