Highlights from the third Steel Research Hub symposium
The Steel Research Hub's third Annual Symposium was held last week (Wednesday 5 February to Thursday 6 February) at the University of Wollongong (UOW). The event brought together a diverse array of over 80 participants from the Australian steel innovation community.
This dynamic gathering included major industry players, university partners, and dedicated UOW research personnel, creating a lively atmosphere of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The symposium's overarching theme, Research translation and utilisation, provided a strong framework for the discussions that unfolded.
Academic and industry leaders, along with researchers, showcased R&D highlights within the framework of the Hub's four major programs:
- Process Integration and Sustainability
- Product Innovation and Technology
- Advance Corrosion Performance and Operational Efficiency
- Steel Supply Chain Transformation.
On day one breakout sessions were held across each program, which was an excellent opportunity for program members from industry and academia to meet and discuss technical aspects, highlights and the year ahead.
Participants at the symposium in 2025
Later that day, Entre/Intrapreneurship Workshop Teams' Final Pitch was held before the cocktail dinner at the Wollongong Golf Club. The final pitch consisted of two teams who delivered a steel business idea to the audience, similar to a 'shark tank' concept.
The pitch event was the final activity following a four-day Entre/Intrapreneurship Workshop that was delivered by the Hub in November 2024. The aim of this workshop was to assist in the training of the future leaders and to help the participants communicate their business ideas to their two-up managers.
On day two the symposium was opened by Hub Director Paul Zulli, followed by each program providing an overview of their project activities, impact and highlights. These sessions were also enriched with the participation of PhD candidates who presented their cutting-edge research. Over lunch the PhD's showcased posters that captured the Hub's commitment to fostering emerging talent.
The third Annual Steel Research Hub symposium proved to be a significant success. The event not only allowed for technical discussions but also fostered leadership and entrepreneurial spirit through activities like the pitch event.
The combination of technical sessions, program sessions, PhD candidate presentations, and the collaboration between industry and academia is a great model for advancing steel research. The event effectively set the stage for the Hub's future direction.
