“The astronomy community must work in partnership with industry to realise its vision”

– Decadal plan for Australian astronomy (2016-2025)

 

AAL proudly presents a new series of semi-regular astronomy and gravitational wave commercialisation workshops. They will aim to bring researchers, industry and government together to find ways to increase the commercial benefit from technology and IP rich fields of research. The first workshop in the series was held on Tuesday 21 November at Mount Stromlo (in the Duffield Lecture theatre) and included a tour of the AITC labs. The workshop was preceded by an informal “mixer” event on the evening of Monday 20 November.

See here for slides from Monday night’s event and Tuesday’s presentations.

 

Why are we doing this?

There are considerable barriers to getting research IP out of astronomy departments and into commercial application, and to Australian business participating in opportunities presented by Big Science. Success happens in isolation and lessons learned are not shared across the sector.

Major government initiatives have been announced to reduce barriers to research translation. Astronomy is yet to fully engage with these initiatives. In addition, several “$10⁸-$10⁹” scale observatories are under construction across the globe. Australian companies are yet to take full advantage of the markets these projects offer in combination.

 

Workshop purpose

To bring together astronomy and gravitational wave researchers, industry and government to discuss the barriers to collaboration, identify opportunities, form new partnerships and advise on priorities for the NCRIS funding opportunities in 2024.

 

Planned outcomes

The AAL Board wishes to receive some guidance from these workshops on community priorities to apply for in the NCRIS 2024 round. Another planned outcome involves workshop participants gaining an understanding of problems and barriers that can be tackled through common effort. Industry participants may also get an insight to market opportunities and areas for business development.

 

Workshop agenda

8:30am	Registration, tea/coffee on arrival
9:00am	Welcome  / Housekeeping
9:15am	Icebreaker – Sparking Collaboration
9:30am	Setting the Scene   James Murray – AAL
9:45am	The View from Astronomy   Ilana Feain – QuasarSat / AAL Board Member   Round the table
11:00-11:15am	Morning tea break
11:15-12:00pm	Tour of facility
12:00-1:20pm	Setting the scene: The View from Industry  Matt Shields – PentaLYM  Craig Davis – Canberra Innovation Network  David McClelland – ANU   Josh Hacko – NH Micro  Round the table
1:20-2:00pm	Lunch Break
2:00-3:00pm	The 2023 Proposals  John Morrison – ANFF  James Murray – AAL   Round the table
3:00-3:15pm	Afternoon tea
3:15pm	The Way Forward  Celine D’Orgeville – ANU  Adam Deller – Swinburne University
4:00pm	Workshop conclusion

 

Registration

Please use this link to register for this workshop.

For more information, please contact: James Murray, Director of AAL Programs.

 

Accomodation

AAL has organised discounted accommodation available at QT Hotel for those attending the workshop. To access your special rates please visit www.qthotels.com

1. Select QT Canberra, enter your dates from 20/11/2023 – 21/11/2023 and number of people and click ‘GO’
2. Click ‘I have a code’
3. In the ‘BLOCK CODE’ field enter your booking code: ASTRONOMYAUS23
4. Click ‘UPDATE’
5. Your special rates will appear on the rates screen

Alternatively, call the hotel to book over the phone, quoting the code ASTRONOMYAUS23. Phone: +61 2 6267 6244
Email: [email protected].

To proceed with a reservation a valid credit card is required to guarantee all rooms, with payment due on arrival at the hotel. Cancellation on the accommodation rooms is allowed up until 24 hours prior to arrival, 2pm the day before check in.