Challenges that Go Beyond the Established Framework of Research in Industry, Government and Academia

The healthcare sector, the primary industries, and related technological innovators are key pillars of New Zealand’s and Australia’s economy. However, in most cases, breakthrough innovation is the result of intensive transdisciplinary research and development, often drawing on insights from disciplines that may lie beyond the focus of attention and the capabilities of a particular organisation, faculty, or government initiative.

In order to be successful on the world stage, and to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges that lie ahead, New Zealand and Australian researchers and innovators must create and nurture a collaborative culture that encourages diversification, and  that bridges organisational boundaries and traditional research silos.

To nurture such a collaborative culture, and to catalyse intensive interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research,  the Colab AUT , S23M , and the RMIT College of Business have joined forces to host and sponsor the quarterly unConference on Interdisciplinary Innovation and Collaboration (CIIC).