Research Advisory Forum - Brisbane 2018

This Research Advisory Forum (RAF) was held at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane from 21-22 November. Over 80 researchers, end-users and key stakeholders with a vested interest in CRC research gathered for several presentations covering the physical sciences half of the CRC’s core research program.

The following clusters had projects that were represented at this RAF:

• Built environment
• Bushfire predictive services
• Flood and coastal management
• Severe and high impact weather
• Economics and strategic decisions
• Prescribed burning and catchment management

Presentations from projects within these clusters are now available under the ‘resources’ tab below. CRC RAFs, which are held biannually, provide an opportunity for CRC project leaders to connect with their end-users and work towards how they can use their research in practice. The format also includes workshop sessions, social functions and Three Minutes Thesis' presentated by CRC PhD students.

Three students were given the chance to share their research with like-minded peers and industry experts during this RAF as part of the Three Minute Thesis format. Rahul Wadhwani, Mitchell Humphreys and Nicolas Borchers Arriagada all presented their PhD findings to date.

These presentations built on the skills and tips learned from a research utilisation and presentation skills workshop hosted by CRC Research Director Dr John Bates on 20 November. Students then had the opportunity to network and reconnect with old friends at a student function hosted in later that day.

Presentations on the first day covered fire surveillance, fire behaviour, modelling, forecasting severe weather, flooding and earthquake risk. The day concluded with breakout sessions where end-user needs became the key focus. Following this, attendees enjoyed refreshments while overlooking the city of Brisbane.

Day two opened with a utilisation workshop followed by three presentations from QUT researchers who are creating innovative tools and models in the fields of robotics, fire and cyclone modelling and health and wellbeing.

This RAF focused on research utilisation activities for projects that are a part of the CRC 2017-2021 research program. 

The next RAF is scheduled for 2019, which will take a different approach, further focusing on utilisation objectives and enabling clear pathways to implement research into practice.