Overview

Keynote Address

Samantha (Sam) Martin-Williams opened the day with a compelling exploration of shepherding in change and the power of collaboration. A change maker and respected business leader — and a driving force for our Hunter region and beyond — Sam drew on her board career and positions of significant influence to share her insight into getting the best out of people and business through collaboration.

Morning Sessions

Attendees chose from one of three sessions:

  • Harness the Power of a Multigenerational Workforce: Our panel explored how to harness the strengths of a multigenerational workforce to drive innovation and adaptability in today's business landscape. Discussions covered how integrating insights from different generations enriches workplace culture, drives innovation, and extends a company's ability to connect — alongside practical strategies for effective collaboration across age groups.

  • Towards Ethical AI: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility: Our panel of experts examined the vast opportunities AI affords across all industries — from fuelling innovation and accelerating decision-making to unlocking new possibilities reshaping the future of work. The session also tackled the ethical implications around power dynamics and social justice in an increasingly automated world.

  • Cleantech Investor Forum: Four researchers pitched their transformative innovations to a panel of investment experts, each with the potential to accelerate the renewable economy and help us achieve net zero. Attendees were inspired by examples of frontier technologies and gained insight into investment decision-making through a lively Q&A.

Networking Lunch and 'Meet an Expert'

Over lunch, attendees networked with University staff and fellow industry leaders to explore collaboration opportunities — from Career-ready Placement programs and research partnerships to increasing student engagement. Our Research Experts in Artificial Intelligence, net zero transformation, and workforce diversity were on hand for informal conversation, sparking new ideas and expanding knowledge of the latest technologies and research.

Afternoon Sessions

Attendees chose from one of three sessions:

  • Advancing Workforce Diversity: Professor Penny Jane Burke, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education and Global Innovation Chair of Equity at the University of Newcastle, launched a rich discussion on vital workplace diversity topics. Industry leaders then led focused breakout conversations across four themes: Neurodiversity, Disability, Gender Diversity, and Indigenous Inclusion.

  • Ideas Collider – Net Zero for Business: Multidisciplinary minds converged to explore innovative solutions designed to help businesses achieve net zero. Participants met new collaborators, encountered fresh ideas, built new skills, and walked away with creative, collaborative solutions.

  • Success Stories and Incentives for Collaboration: Attendees heard about the range of government funding and incentive options supporting collaboration between industry and the university sector — spanning consulting, contract research, and industry PhD programs. Real examples brought to life how the University of Newcastle supports business, government, and not-for-profit partners, and how PhD candidates are helping solve industry challenges and increase productivity.

Facility Tours

To close the day, attendees explored some of the University's world-class facilities:

  • BioResearch Building — state-of-the-art facilities improving how disease is diagnosed and treated.
  • Electron Microscopy and X-ray Facility — specialised scientific equipment supporting advanced material manufacturing, next-generation energy storage, environmental remediation, and biomedical research.
  • Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials — facilities harnessing nanotechnologies creating innovations in material science.
  • Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) — dedicated services and facilities supporting the highest quality medical research, fighting illnesses and inspiring new discoveries.
  • Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources — generating transformational solutions across energy, resources, food, and water.
  • NUbots – Newcastle Robotics Laboratory — home of the team behind multiple RoboCup world championship titles.