What a year we’ve had in the Research Café hosted by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Chris Turney, with 54 researchers and professional staff sharing insights over 16 sessions to help elevate research practice at UTS.
Research Café: the year in review
As 2024 draws to a close, we’d like to thank the UTS research community for participating in this vibrant and inspiring fortnightly gathering at the RES Hub event space.
"It’s about creating a space that allows serendipity to happen. The Medici effect is about the innovation that happens when you create a space for amazing people from different cultures, backgrounds, disciplines and life experiences to come together and see what might be possible. It's creating that nexus, the space where exciting things can happen," said Chris.
The Medici effect is about the innovation that happens when you create a space for amazing people from different cultures, backgrounds, disciplines and life experiences to come together and see what might be possible. It's creating that nexus, the space where exciting things can happen.
"These Research Cafes are a great way of amplifying the Medici effect right here at UTS. It's bringing creative thinkers together, inspired by the fabulously wealthy banking family in Florence who brought extraordinary people from around Europe together and sparked the European Renaissance.”
What topics have been discussed?
Throughout the year, attendees have experienced a wide range of engaging presentations and discussions. Pastries, coffee, and interesting presentations have fuelled productive discussions and strengthened both connections and knowledge across our wonderful UTS research community.
Each session has enabled members of the UTS community to network outside their discipline and think creatively about how we can work more collaboratively. See the full line up of 2024 topics and slides.
“From the recent Impact Studios takeover and the How to nail your research story sessions, to our Innovation and entrepreneurship and Deep sector engagement discussions, participants leave the Research Café with new connections, helpful tips from experienced colleagues and great ideas for how they can contribute to projects that will make a difference in the world,” said Chris.
A few highlights:
Early in the year, we held a COP28 Climate Conference review, where speakers provided timely reflections on global sustainability challenges and opportunities.
We discussed the global funding landscape and heard from those who have been successful in winning grants, including from the USA. As Professor Igor Aharonovich said, the most effective way to attract US funding is to pitch the benefits of your research directly to the grants manager.
“Do not be shy about directly approaching grant managers and telling them about your research and why it is worthy of funding.” Read moreWe’ve had frank conversations with some of our most ambitious and impactful teams including innovation leaders who’ve shared experiences of creating startups from academic IP and candidly discussed how they’ve overcome setbacks.
Teams that have benefited from our internal Collaboration Scheme shared how they brought together different disciplines to create incredible animations that tell the story of bioprinting and biomedical science. Read more
We’ve explored engaged research collaborations through projects led by the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and considered the global impact of Gateways, a fantastic journal hosted here at UTS that bridges university research and community practice. Read more
We’ve considered the fundamentals of human research ethics and looked at how the Australian Government’s Made in Australia policy is unlocking huge opportunities for UTS researchers and industry partners wishing to use our incredible manufacturing labs and prototyping facilities. Read more
To explore UTS’ approach to deep sector engagement, we’ve heard from transdisciplinary teams that are working together to create holistic research solutions in health and manufacturing. Read more
The year ahead
Chris looks forward to continuing to present the fortnightly Research Cafe throughout 2025 as a welcoming space where UTS researchers, academics, HDR students and staff can come together to exchange ideas, foster collaborations and celebrate research achievements.
“I invite you to become part of these impactful conversations and experience the Medici effect for yourself. Join us and contribute your ideas each fortnight to help build a strong, connected and impactful UTS research community!”
Receive the calendar invitation
The Research Cafe will resume on Wednesday 26 March 2025.
To receive notice of these Research Cafe gatherings via Outlook, please be in touch to receive the standing calendar invitation by emailing reshub@uts.edu.au
I invite you to become part of these impactful conversations and experience the Medici effect for yourself. Join us and contribute your ideas each fortnight to help build a strong, connected and impactful UTS research community!
Want to present at the UTS Research Café?
If you have a story to share, a collaboration to propose, or research insights that could benefit your colleagues, we encourage you to share your ideas.
Presentations are purposely brief. We ask that you share just one slide and speak for 1-2 minutes so that we can take inspiration from your ideas and then engage in follow-up conversations.
Express interest by emailing reshub@uts.edu.au with a short description of your proposed topic and why it would be valuable for others.
Learn more about the Research Café and browse previous topics and presentations.