University of Canberra’s Research Festival 2024 Offers Insight into Real-World Impact of Innovative Studies
The University of Canberra has launched the full program for Research Festival 2024, which will see nearly 20 events and activities take place between 31 October and 28 November, celebrating the impact of the University’s research on the Canberra community.
Attendees can register through the Research Festival website, and explore a range of presentations, workshops, public lectures, panel discussions, community events, hands-on demonstrations and children’s activities.
“Research Festival 2024 will be a fantastic celebration of the impact of UC’s research on the capital and surrounding region and an opportunity to connect with the community that inspires and enables our work,” said Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Janine Deakin.
The Research Festival is designed to offer something for everyone. An annual event since 2022, this year’s iteration will take place on-campus and at locations across Canberra.
The event line-up includes a showcase of Poetry on Prescription for everyone interested in the healthcare benefits of the creative arts; a panel of thought leaders considering the state of deliberation in Australian democracy; and an evening with experts on women in sport research, reflecting the strong partnership of the University with the Australian Institute of Sport.
The Festival will begin with the launch of the Life of a CBRn installation in the Canberra Centre on 1 November, which will be open to visitors over the month. The installation is an experiential timeline of a Canberran’s life, and shows how the University’s research has interacted with or impacted them at different life stages.
The impact of the University’s research on Canberra’s public spaces and environment will be a major theme of the Festival, with the community of Ginninderry forming a key example.
“Our research helps to ensure that this wonderful new addition to Canberra’s suburban landscape encourages health and wellbeing, including active living, social connection and attachment to place,” said Dr Cathy Hope, who has led multiple place-making research and community projects in Canberra.
On Saturday 2 November, this work will come to life at Ginninderry Community Day, through a range of family-friendly and immersive activities held at Paddy’s Park in the suburb of Strathnairn. University research has been instrumental in shaping the Ginninderry community, through a partnership to inform the ongoing design of its parks, streets, playgrounds and other public spaces.
The event will also showcase the collaborative research between the Ginninderry Riverview Group and the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Centre for Applied Water Science (CAWS), which has been providing water quality monitoring and reporting services to the Ginninderry development team.
“The work represents a fantastic example of a collaboration between scientists and developers to generate outcomes for a better Canberra,” said CAWS’ Director Professor Ross Thompson. “The Festival provides a chance to showcase just a taste of this work.”
The Centre For A Better Canberra (FAB CBR), a University of Canberra think tank, will also share its vision for the ACT. The Centre’s interactive presentation on 26 November will discuss the Thriving Canberra 2024 project to stimulate the better and fairer use of community facility zoned (CFZ) land.
“Attendees can come and hear how architecture academics and students have reimagined CFZ land could be used, and how the policy options FAB CBR has developed can help make that happen,” said FAB CBR’s Academic Director, Professor Chris Wallace.
Professor Deakin emphasised that the University’s research is undertaken for the capital region and its people.
“Canberra is at the heart of our University, and the Research Festival is an opportunity to share some of the fruits of our labours with the people who matter most to us.”
When: Thursday 31 October to Thursday 28 November
Where: University of Canberra, Bruce campus, and locations across Canberra
Some highlights:
- Game Changers: Elevating women’s performance and health in sport, Thursday 31 October, 5.30–7pm in Theatrette 9A01, UC Campus
Hear from leading and up-and-coming researchers and Australian Institute of Sport experts about the value of investing in research surrounding women in sport. Explore how current research projects are helping level the playing field, with and for women in sport.
- Life of a CBRn pop-up installation, Friday 1 to Thursday 28 November, Canberra Centre, City
Explore some of the UC research that has impacted the lives of Canberrans at this pop-up exhibition – from engaging ways to teach children vital STEM skills, to working to reintroduce a native frog species to Canberra, and redefining aged care nursing for a new generation. An exciting range of activities and sessions will be held over the month.
- Ginninderry Community Day, Saturday 2 November, 10am–2pm at Paddy’s Park, Strathnairn
Join this family day out to explore the range of environmental and community initiatives backed by UC research undertaken at Ginninderry. Activities will include testing water quality, place-making, a kite festival, education activities and more.
- How Deliberative is Australian Democracy? Tuesday 19 November, 6.30–8.15pm at Verity Lane, Canberra city
How can we improve the quality of political conversations in Australia? The panel will unpack these questions and invite the audience to reflect on new ways of living together based on justice and mutual respect.
- Thriving, Creative, Connected, Tuesday 26 November, 5.30–7pm at Canberra Innovation Network, City
FAB CBR advocates in the interest of the Canberra community. This event will focus on the think tank’s role, including its work to make community facility zoned land more accessible and functional for Canberrans.