Global Challenges: Capturing Solutions

Discover excellence at Western Sydney University’s Research Week, where we celebrate research accomplishments and their real-world impact through engaged and integrative approaches.

This year, our focus is on Global Challenges: Capturing solutions, which showcases a wide range of research initiatives at Western. We emphasise collaborative efforts with government and industry to find long-term, practical solutions. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of real-world problems, our cross-disciplinary research goes beyond conventional boundaries.

Join us for engaging seminars, workshops, presentations, and panel discussions, featuring leading researchers and academics addressing national and international challenges. Gain insights into the innovative solutions being developed. Experience the transformative potential of research at Western by participating in Research Week.

You can secure your spot now, by registering for one or more of our events listed below.

Upcoming Events

Storytelling for impact: Measuring and evaluating with young people

Storytelling for Impact: Measuring and Evaluating With Young People

Date: Monday, 10 July 2023
Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Room 23, Level 4, 1PSQ, Parramatta City Campus

How do we measure and evaluate the work we do? How do we involve young people meaningfully in these processes? This event, led by the Young and Resilient Research Centre, brings together practitioners, service providers and academics to explore these questions.

The event will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn and gain practical insights from researchers with expertise in evaluation and work with young people.

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker: Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer, Western Sydney International Airport

Date: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Room 19, Level 8, Bankstown City Campus - Online registration only

Western Sydney sits at a pivotal moment in its history. The development of, and interest in, the region has perhaps never been higher. Central to the growing conversation is the development of the Western Sydney International Airport and the change and opportunity it affords. Opening in 2026, Western Sydney International Airport has been hailed as a site of new jobs, traineeship and learning opportunities. With the development of Bradfield and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility, there is much for Western and our partners to benefit from and contribute to.  

Simon Hickey brings 30 years’ experience across aviation, retail and construction to his role as Western Sydney International Airport’s CEO. Simon will share with us his ambitions to help deliver meaningful socioeconomic change and innovation across the region.

Research End-User Engagement for HDR Candidates and HDR Supervisors

Research End-User Engagement for HDR Candidates and HDR Supervisors

Date: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Zoom link to be forwarded upon registration

Join us for an online discussion on research end-user engagement for Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates and HDR supervisors. A panel of industry experts will facilitate discussion on research end-user engagement through doctoral internships and industry PhD programs. You will also hear from HDR candidates who have successfully completed WSU supported industry internships and industry engagement training. This interactive sessionwill provide opportunities for open disucssion on the process, benefits, and challenges of research end-user engagement.

Research Impact Competition

Research Impact Competition

Date: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Time: 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: Level 8, Bankstown City Campus

The Research Impact Competition showcases research from across all of the University's research themes for an audience of non-academic partners and interested parties, including staff and students. One researcher is selected from each School and Institute to present their research in just five minutes using a single PowerPoint slide. The audience will choose the People’s Choice Award winner at the event, while the judging panel will select an overall Winner and Runner Up.

An Introduction to Neuromorphic Engineering with Interactive Demonstrations of Neuromorphic Technology

An Introduction to Neuromorphic Engineering with Interactive Demonstrations of Neuromorphic Technology

Date: Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Building BA, Level 2, Werrington South Campus

Discover how the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS) is the world’s leading research centre driving the development of cutting edge computer hardware and software systems based on the structure and function of the human brain.

The Power of Community: Enhancing Dementia Research and Care Together

The Power of Community: Enhancing Dementia Research and Care Together

Date: Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Level 4 Conference Room, Westmead Innovation Quarter, Westmead Campus

This important presentation and workshop will focus on the dementia journey from prevention to diagnosis and post-diagnostic care. This session will provide valuable insights into the latest dementia research, including potential treatments and preventative measures. Led by experts in the field, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of dementia on individuals and their families, as well as learn practical tools and strategies to support risk reduction. The session's workshop will provide an opportunity to engage in interactive activities and group discussions on how we can bridge the gap between lab and community to engage the community for positive change.

Balancing Work and Caring Responsibilities: Supporting Carers in the Workplace

Balancing Work and Caring Responsibilities: Supporting Carers in the Workplace

Date: Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Level 4 Conference Room, Westmead Innovation Quarter, Westmead Campus and Online

Although many workplaces offer resources to assist parents who are caring for their children, working carers also have distinct needs and experiences and often do not have the same levels of support afforded in their workplaces as working  parents. Carers represent 11% of all Australians resulting in a sizable group of employees who combine paid work with caring for someone with a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness, or someone who is fail and/or aged. This Research Week event delivers a panel discussion with  industry and government partners on the complexities encountered by organisations interested in exploring innovative ways to better support carers in the workplace.

Local Economies and Sustainable Urban Futures

Local Economies and Sustainable Urban Futures

Date: Thursday, July 13 2023
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Level 1, Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub, Hassall Street

This Research Week event is focused on local economies and sustainable urban futures and will showcase the latest research and collaborations in sustainable living, including community economies, circular urban economies and building with waste materials. Featuring presentations from researchers and their industry and community partners, it will explore ‘doing economy differently’ to advance more sustainable futures. This event will give participants an opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and network with peers and experts.

Conserving and Restoring the Cumberland Plain for Shared Cultural, Social, and Ecological Values

Conserving and Restoring the Cumberland Plain for Shared Cultural, Social, and Ecological Values

Date: Thursday, July 13 2023
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Learning Space 39, Level 5, 1PSQ, Parramatta City Campus

The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) Research Strategy was developed in a collaboration between WSU and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). The strategy identifies research priorities within 4 core themes:

  • Supporting Aboriginal connections
  • Engaging with peoples and cultures
  • Conserving threatened species and ecosystems
  • Restoring and reconstructing ecosystems

This event highlights the progress of the research and aims to develop interdisciplinary teams to bid for funding under the research strategy in the coming years. 

Uncovering the Carers Gap for Staff in Higher Education

Uncovering the Carers Gap for Staff in Higher Education

Date: Friday, July 14 2023
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Zoom link to be forwarded upon registration

Caring roles are often seen as incompatible with career progression for both academic and professional staff. Projects supported by WSU's Vice-Chancellor's Gender Equity Fund have helped to map career pressure points for staff who are parents of dependent children. There remains a need to fous specific challenges of carers for persons with chronic illness, with disability, or who are elderly. Given the gendered division of care, addressing this carers research gap is critical for promoting gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the higher education sector. Building an evidence-base to discern carer numbers, the issues they face, and supports they need is essential to informing a clear articulation of the differences between parental and carer responsibilities, and how they can be  better supported across the sector.
 
Led by the SAGE Parents and Carers SWAG, this session will review recent research on carer experiences in higher education and engage its audience in establishing foundational research questions for future projects addressing the carers research gap at WSU.  

Academic Development Program Showcase

Academic Development Program Showcase

Date: Friday, July 14 2023
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Zoom link to be forwarded upon registration

Sustained periods of time devoted to professional development helps foster the diverse skills required for an academic career.   At Western, this is assisted through our Academic Development Program (ADP). This Program enables academic staff to pursue research, acquire new skills and knowledge or develop ongoing partnerships,  including with industry.  ADP supports extended periods of time away from day-to-day work duties to allow academic staff time to concentrate on research, scholarship, collaboration and knowledge-building, often this includes working with colleagues at other institutions, either overseas or within Australia.

In this session, the audience will hear from those who have recently completed a period of ADP – detailing their research, the outcomes achieved and the next steps in progressing their research projects.  Particpants will also learn more about ADP and the application processes and requirements.