A University Perspective – Response to the Innovation Policy in research and teaching and the importance of industry engagement Prof. Michael Keller Head, School of Agriculture, Food & Wine The University of Adelaide

The pace of innovation and disruptive technology Source: dronelife.com Source: confluence. acfr.usyd.edu.au Source: www.questuav.com Source: bigdatasp.com Source: familysearch.org statisticbrain.com Source: www.

Pillars of the National Innovation & Science Agenda Culture & capital Talent & Skills Government as an exemplar ✔ ✔ ✔ Collaboration Co-investment in promising ideas  CSIRO Innovation Fund Funding incentives for research & industry collaboration World-class infrastructure Embrace digital age Problem solving & critical reasoning

Culture & Capital

National Research Infrastructure National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Examples: Australian Plant Phenomics Facility Metabolomics Australia Australian Genome Research Facility

Collaboration

Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Evaluates the quality of the research conducted at Australian universities Ratings based on research outputs 5. Well above world standard 4. Above world standard 3. World standard 2. Below world standard 1. Well below world standard ERA will continue in future

Australian Research Council Linkage Projects Applications are now continuous Fast track decisions on collaborative research grants Aim to connect more small and medium businesses with researchers Implemented in July 2016

Cooperative Research Centres Solve major economic, environmental and social challenges facing Australia Foster high quality research Collaborative research partnerships: Industry & research organisations Led by industry Improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries Develop important new technologies, products and services

Cooperative Research Centres Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) Medium to long term industry-led collaborations Up to 10 years No specified limit to funding Short term, industry-led collaborative research Up to 3 years Maximum of $3 million

Innovation Connections Facilitators enable businesses to access Australia’s innovation infrastructure Grants available to support placement of graduate and postgraduate researchers in businesses Grants available to support placement of business researchers in publicly funded research organisations Specialised training options by working more closely with the vocational education and training sector. Delivered through AusIndustry

New Research Block Grant Arrangement Two streamlined programs Research Support Program – covers direct & indirect costs of research Research Training Program – training the next generation Domestic & international research students not distinguished, but % international capped at 10% Support collaboration with industry Based on research income and student completions Research income contribution changed to include categories 1-4: National competitive grants Competitive Other public sector research income Industry and other research income Engagement CRC research income

Australian Government investment in R&D, 2015-16 $Billion $1.8 B $ 3.2 B Source: National Innovation & Science Agenda $ 2.8 B $ 1.9 B Total = $ 9.7 B

Channels for knowledge transfer and commercialisation Highly significant channels include: Publishing Conferencing & networking Collaborative research & research partnerships Contract research Academic consulting Other channels: Patenting & Licensing Public research spin-offs Industry hiring & student placement Personnel exchanges / Intersectoral mobility Standards Source: OECD, 2013, Commercialising Public Research: New Trends and Strategies

Engagement and Impact Assessment Comprehensive, retrospective, cost-effective Under development – to complement ERA Principles: Robust & objective Internationally recognised Comparability across disciplines Not disincentivise multidisciplinary research Research relevant Repeatable & verifiable Time-bound Transparent Appropriate behavioural impact Adaptable over time Source: Engagement and Impact Assessment Consultation Paper

Engagement and Impact Assessment Intellectual Property Research Contracts & Consultancies Skills Development & Transfer Supply: Publicly funded Research Sector Demand: Business & Community Inputs / Activities Outputs / Deliverables Intermediate to Long-Term Outcomes Various metrics Source: Metrics for Research Commercialisation: A Report to the Coordination Committee on Science and Technology, 2005

Talent % Skills

Work placements for students Work-integrated learning Intentional, directed, integrated with teaching, undertaken interactively and reflectively, and assessed Work placements Design assessment activities to simulate workplace experience Advantages Enhanced student learning Feedback to academic staff about current work environment Facilitate R&D connections with industries

Australian Science and Research Priorities Examples: Food: Develop internationally competitive, sustainable, profitable, high intensity and high production capacity in new and existing food products and maintain Australia’s reputation for clean, safe and quality-controlled food production. Soil & water: Focusing on Australia’s critical soil and water assets, build capacity for improved accuracy and precision in predicting change to inform better decision making. Environmental change: Build Australia’s capacity to respond to environmental change and integrate research outcomes from biological, physical, social and economic systems. Advanced manufacturing: Develop and support existing industries while enabling the development of a new and advanced manufacturing sector.

% of Total Manufacturing The Food & Beverages Industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia Australian Manufacturing Gross Value Added, 2014-15 Manufacturing industry $ Million % of Total Manufacturing Food, beverage and tobacco products 25,264 25.6 Machinery and equipment 19,386 19.7 Metal products 16,215 16.5 Petroleum, coal, chemical & rubber products 16,038 16.3 Other manufacturing industries 22,716 21.9 Manufacturing Share of GDP 6.20% Source: ABS, Australian National Accounts, Original, Chain Volume Measures (Cat No. 5206.0)

Opportunity to strengthen links along the value chain among primary producers, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers Sources: ABS, Australian National Accounts, Original, Chain Volume Measures (Cat No. 5206.0) Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Original (Cat No. 6291.0.55.003)

Silo busting – a challenge for universities The nature of academic disciplines leads to rewards that are aligned with disciplines Deep disciplinary knowledge is needed to be held in high esteem & attract business investment Traditional rewards must still be recognised Interdisciplinary and industry-focused rewards are also necessary for NISA to succeed Challenge: Deep understanding vs. nimble innovation

Silo busting – a challenge for universities Soil Science Animal Science Agriculture Agronomy & Plant Breeding Crop Science Plant Protection Agricultural Business & Economics

Silo busting – a challenge for universities Health Science Business & Economics Humanities & Social Science Engineering & Technology Fundamental Sciences Mathematics, Informatics & Statistics Agriculture

Silo busting – a challenge for universities New product development Idea or need Market analysis Business development Product development Production Marketing & launch Product in market Aftermarket analysis & service Design Optimise Scale Improve Test Innovate

National Innovation & Science Agenda Culture & Capital NCRIS and other investments Collaboration Incentives for collaboration New mechanisms that facilitate connections between businesses & researchers Assessment to show performance and progress Talent & Skills Enhance on teaching and learning that more explicitly prepares students for work Maintain excellence in science