Leveraging Global Innovation NetworksIn an increasingly globalised construction industry, creating stronger connections and sharing knowledge amongst industry researchers internationally is important for improved economic, social and environmental outcomes. At the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (SBEnrc) we place great emphasis on collaboration across organisational, state and national boundaries to develop a strong and enduring network of built environment industry research.Three years ago the SBEnrc Board approved seed funding for the project Leveraging R&D Investment for the Australian Built Environment. An additional $235,000 from an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant leveraged the initial SBEnrc seed funding into a three-year program of work, which enabled a broadening and deepening of project objectives and outcomes. This included the development of a Task Group (TG85: R&D Investment and Impact) with the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) , which helped maximise the relevance and impact of the research carried out. TG85 comprised more than 40 people across 19 countries who worked together to identify specific outcomes to deliver to industry. These outcomes have now been distilled into a book, R&D Investment and Impact for the Global Construction Industry, edited by Keith D Hampson, Judy A Kraatz and Adriana X Sanchez, and published by Routledge. This book explores how policy makers and industry leaders can better target future investment; and how industry practitioners and researchers can manage their efforts to improve productivity while addressing environmental and social needs of their communities. Case studies present projects where R&D ideas funded by both the private and public sectors have been translated from research into practice or policy, and examines drivers, successes and barriers to the delivery of R&D in industry. Importantly, it explains how industry, government and researchers can work to improve productivity while addressing the environmental and social needs of their communities. The book was launched at the SB14 World Sustainable Building Conference in Barcelona, Spain on 30 October. We are building on this work with the CIB by establishing a new Task Group 90: Information Integration in Construction (IICON). TG90 will help create a more effective and reflective industry and deliver benefits to public and private asset owners. This group will compliment activities of a new SBEnrc project, Driving Whole-of-life Efficiencies through BIM and Procurement and continue the research started in the project Integrated Project Environments. The activities of TG90 will help facilitate Professor Chubb’s strategy, as it focuses on creating a more effective and reflective industry and deliver benefits to public and private asset owners through:
This new international Task Group will build on the legacy of the individual and institutional partnerships developed through TG85. We are proud of the work we are doing at SBEnrc, and in particularly of our achievements that are helping create a more competitive Australia. This work would not be possible without the support of our Centre Partners and close collaboration with industry peak bodies, as well as the many others who help promote our work. Thank you. Best regards Keith
Dr Keith Hampson, Chief Executive Officer Our challenge is to continue growing the value and impact of our applied research more deeply and broadly across Australia and to secure a more durable financial base for built environment research. The Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (SBEnrc) is acknowledged as an excellent example of a CRC that has graduated into an independent organisation delivering unique industry, government and research collaboration. |
Dr Keith Hampson
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