Industry partnerships

Forming links with industry partners is an increasingly important aspect of sustaining a successful university research program. In recent years, Flinders has dedicated itself to forging strong relationships with numerous industry partners, from both public and private sectors, through research collaboration and funding.

Below are examples of some of the important project-based industry partnerships Flinders has formed.

• Flinders Bioremediation Pty Ltd
• National Institute for Labour Studies (NILS)
• Adelaide Hills Face Zone Cultural Heritage Project
• The Magistrates Research Project
• AusStage
• Cooperative Research Centre for Bioproducts
• Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development (PHC RED) Program
• Centre for Remote Health
• Marine Innovation SA (MISA) Program
• Biodiversity and ecology
• The Loss and Grief Centre
• Community Perceptions and Experiences of Recycled Water Study
• Clinical Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Virtual Reality Laboratory

Flinders Bioremediation Pty Ltd

Flinders Bioremediation Pty Ltd is a Flinders University-based company dedicated to providing innovative and cost-effective solutions for a cleaner environment.

Among a range of projects involving industry partners is a recent study of options for the reuse of septage waste in the Adelaide Hills. Commissioned by the Mount Lofty Ranges Biosolids and Green Waste Reuse Regional Working Party, the project involves representatives from Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker Councils in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority and commercial stakeholders. Funding was obtained by the working party through a local government research grant, and the Onkaparinga and Torrens Catchment Water Management Boards.

National Institute for Labour Studies (NILS)

NILS is the pre-eminent labour studies research centre in Australia. Recently, the Institute has carried out research projects for a range of public and private organisations, including the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

South Australian Centre for Economic Studies

The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies is a joint venture between Flinders and the University of Adelaide. The Centre provides contract research and consulting services across a broad range of applied economic issues. Services are provided to government and private sector clients, including the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, the Local Government Association of South Australia, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of Treasury and Finance, SA Business Vision 2010, and the Victorian Gambling Research Panel.

Adelaide Hills Zone Cultural Heritage Project

The aim of this study is to document Indigenous and European cultural impacts on the landscape of the Adelaide Hills Face Zone.

Industry partners on the project are:

• Boral Resources (SA) Ltd
• National Parks and Wildlife (SA)
• Planning SA
• Adelaide Hills Council
• Burnside City Council
• Mitcham City Council
• Onkaparinga City Council
• Tea Tree Gully City Council
• South Australian Tourism Commission
• Marion City Council

For futher information see Adelaide Hills Zone Cultural Heritage Project.

The Magistrates Research Project

The Magistrates Research Project is the first study of its kind to document the foundations and structure of Australia's Magistrate Court system. It is being conducted in collaboration with all Australian magistrates and local courts and the Association of Australian Magistrates (AAM).

Financial support is provided by the Australian Research Council (ARC), with further financial and practical support from the AAM, all magistrates and local courts, and the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA).

AusStage

AusStage is an online resource which provides an index of every Australian performing arts event. Flinders was the lead institution involved in its development. The database contains more than 25 000 events held in more than 2500 venues, and aims to reach a total of over half a million events.

Other partners involved were:

• University of Queensland
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of New South Wales
• University of Newcastle
• University of New England
• La Trobe University
• University of Western Australia

The project also incorporates partners from the theatre industry, the public sector and libraries.

Cooperative Research Centre for Bioproducts

The collaborative projects being carried out under the Cooperative Research Centre for Bioproducts program, Flinders University's Medical Biotechnology Plant Cell Bioprocessing laboratory to the Departments of Botany and Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, CSIRO Food Science Australia, Tridan-Albright and Wilson, and the New Zealand Crop and Food Research Institute.

Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development (PHC RED) Program

The PHC RED Program is a Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing initiative which aims to develop and strengthen research and evaluation capacity in primary health care. The program aims to contribute to improved policy and practice by increasing the exchange of information between researchers, practitioner organisations, policy makers and consumer organisations.

Centre for Remote Health

The Centre for Remote Health is a joint venture of Flinders University and Charles Darwin University. It is one of a network of University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to improve the health status of populations in rural and remote areas by appropriate preparation of the health workforce, thereby improving recruitment and retention levels.

Marine Innovation SA (MISA) Program

The MISA program is designed to support the ecologically sustainable development of the state's fisheries, aquaculture and marine eco-tourism industries by integrating education and research and development applications with marine sciences. It is a joint venture between Flinders, the SA Research and Development Institute (SARDI) , the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Museum. It also has links with the Australian Seafood Industry Council, the Tuna Boat Owners Association of Australia Inc, and the SA Marine Finfish Farmers Association Inc.

Biodiversity and ecology

Biodiversity and ecology researchers work closely with National Parks and Wildlife, the Plant Biodiversity Centre (formerly the State Herbarium), the SA Museum and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) on conservation projects and biodiversity surveys. They have also formed links with the Animal and Plant Control Commission, the Department of Environment and Heritage, CSIRO, and universities in the United States, Canada, Switzerland and South Africa.

Adelaide Coastal Waters Study

The Adelaide Coastal Waters Study comprises 6 major research studies into various aspects of the impact and action of contaminants along the eastern coast of the Gulf St Vincent. Commissioned by the CSIRO's Environmental Projects Office, the project will involve the Centre for Water Research at the University of Western Australia, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences and Adelaide University as collaborating partners.

The Loss and Grief Centre

The Loss and Grief Centre is a program of Anglicare SA in partnership with Flinders which helps services to help those dealing with loss. It provides education for students and practitioners and opportunities for research and enquiry about loss and grief issues.

Community Perceptions and Experiences of Recycled Water Study

The Community Perceptions and Experiences of Recycled Water Study investigates community opinions on using recycled water in their homes to determine the feasibility in the future. The research was supported by United Water International, the company responsible for Adelaide's water and sewage management.

Clinical Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Flinders has a leading role in the Clinical Diagnosis of ADHD study which compares normal and abnormal brain function to establish a more reliable, evidence-based set of markers for the clinical diagnosis of ADHD. As well as Flinders University, the study involves scientists and clinicians at:

• Brain Sciences Institute in Melbourne
• Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital
• Brain Dynamics Centre
• The Children's Westmead Hospital in New South Wales.

The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Brain Resource Company, based in Sydney.

Virtual Reality Laboratory

The Virtual Reality Laboratory is helping to tease out the similarities and differences between learning in real and simulated environments. Research on navigational abilities is involving organisations such as the Defence Science and Technology Organisation as industry partners.