Leaders from government and academia came together this week to reflect on the outcomes of the Trailblazer Universities Program towards reshaping Australia’s research and innovation landscape. The event highlighted the collective achievements of the Trailblazers and the growing momentum behind mission‑driven university research built on large‑scale collaboration.
Defence Trailblazer hosted its final Commercialisation & Collaboration Masterclass for 2025 in Sydney on 29 October, bringing together university researchers, PhD candidates, and professional staff for a dynamic half-day session. The event focused on the practical realities of commercialising university research and building effective collaborations with industry.
Defence Trailblazer hosted a University-Industry Masterclass in Adelaide on 24 September, bringing together researchers, PhD candidates, and professional staff. The half-day session focused on the practical realities of commercialising university research and building effective collaborations with industry. Held in person, the event fostered open dialogue and shared learning across disciplines and career stages.
On Wednesday, 6 August 2025, the Defence Trailblazer hosted a tailored University IP & Commercialisation masterclass. Held in-person in Canberra, this dynamic three-hour workshop brought together UNSW academics, PhD students, research administrators, and technology transfer professionals to explore the intricacies of intellectual property and the pathways to successful research commercialisation.
The Defence Trailblazer has wrapped up another Publishing for Industry & Impact masterclass in Adelaide, bringing together academic and industry professionals for a dynamic session focused on bridging the gap between research and real-world application. Led by a panel of expert speakers, the session explored key topics including publishing sensitive and classified information, navigating IP, and understanding industry expectations. Attendees gained practical insights into non-traditional publishing pathways and how to negotiate publishing rights in collaborative research settings
Today we hosted a fantastic group of academics, professional staff, and industry representatives who came together to explore the challenges and opportunities in academic-industry publishing.
A special thank you to our incredible guest speakers:
Professor Jonathan Morris – Pro Vice Chancellor Research Training and Dean of Graduate Research, UNSW, Trevina Naidoo – Commercialisation Operations Manager, UNSW, Associate Professor Shane Keating – School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW and Dr Warren McKenzie – Managing Director, HB11 Energy
The first Publications for Industry and Impact Masterclass, held in Canberra on 1 April 2025, was a resounding success. This two-hour session was specifically designed for academic and professional staff eager to learn more about publishing options for their industry-partnered research projects.
On 17 March 2025, Defence Trailblazer hosted an incredible lineup of speakers, engaging panel sessions, and interactive workshops at the Canberra Innovation Network for the inaugural Defence Trailblazer Innovation Summit. The feedback from our participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of understanding how effective and productive collaborations between industry, academia, innovation and government can drive the commercialisation of research for years to come.