Living Labs
Our Living Labs are real-life experimentation hubs that see researchers, industry, community and governments work together to identify challenges and develop solutions that improve our lives.
Living Labs are a place to explore new possibilities, where constant reflection and evaluation are built into the discovery process.
Activities associated with each living lab are driven by its purpose and its participants. As a result, living labs can exist on a University or industry campus, in a community, in aged care facilities, on the sports field or in our own homes.
Central Coast Health & Wellbeing Living Lab
The Central Coast Health & Wellbeing Living Lab is a real-life experimentation hub designed to help us live better, healthier lives in our homes as we age.
It’s a is a collaboration between the Central Coast Local Health District, the University of Newcastle and the people of the Central Coast.
It will see older people and carers work side by side with researchers, healthcare professionals, aged-care providers, businesses and entrepreneurs to find solutions that help us live satisfying and engaged lives in our homes as we get older.
Circular Economy Living Lab
The Circular Economy Living Lab is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie City Council and Dantia – Lake Macquarie City’s economic development company.
As Australia’s first Living Lab dedicated to the circular economy, this collaboration focuses on projects that take waste from the Lake Macquarie local government area and convert it into new or alternate materials.
The ultimate aim is to reduce the region’s carbon footprint, generate new employment and industry opportunities, and harness untapped opportunities in the waste stream.
Health Innovation Living Lab
The Hunter region’s first purpose-built Health Innovation Living Lab is based at John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct.
The Living Lab is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, the Hunter New England Local Health District and the broader community.
It brings researchers, clinicians, University students, startups, and industry and community members together to develop, test and deliver innovations that improve health outcomes for people in regional and rural communities.
The Living Lab has a specific focus on digital health, sustainability in healthcare, medical technology, and healthcare operations and logistics.
Moata'a Living Lab
The University collaborates with partners in Samoa to conserve and regenerate the local mangrove environment, which is critical to the region’s culture and economy.
The Moata'a Living Lab is a community-led environmental education and eco-tourism demonstration site aimed at building the resilience of the Moata’a community and improving the ecosystem and socio-economic wellbeing of villagers.
Academics and students from the University of Newcastle and the National University of Samoa work with alongside staff from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Samoan Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to support the Living Lab.
The collaboration is part of the University's Pacific Node initiative, which aims to enhance capacity in the region, with a focus on environment and climate change resilience, ecosystem protection, waste management and pollution control, environmental governance, public health, and inclusive education.
Newcastle Airport Living Lab
To support our ambition of being a world leader in aviation and aerospace, the University of Newcastle has partnered with the Newcastle Airport for a unique Living Lab designed to improve airport operations and passenger experience.
The Newcastle Airport Living Lab sees University students working alongside airport staff to improve baggage handling systems, enhance the airport’s freight precinct, and identify other initiatives that will improve experiences for the 5 million passengers that flow through the airport each year.
ResTech Living Lab
The University of Newcastle, Ampcontrol and ResTech have established a Living Lab to accelerate the development and commercialisation of advanced manufacturing solutions for the energy, infrastructure and resources industries.
The new facility – which opened in late 2023 – is based on the grounds of our Callaghan campus and sees engineering students from the University work alongside industry partners on real-world challenges in the electrical and electronic engineering fields.
From stand-alone power systems designed to replace the traditional ‘poles and wires’ grid connections, to support for the electrification of mining operations, the ResTech Living Lab uses design thinking to solve complex energy problems and support decarbonisation.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.