Innovators meeting MPs: UNSW launches sustainability showcase at NSW Parliament

The showcase connected policymakers with UNSW’s world-leading research to accelerate progress on housing, energy and manufacturing.

UNSW Sydney hosted its first showcase at NSW Parliament, bringing together researchers, parliamentarians and industry leaders to tackle some of the state’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

Around 30 experts from UNSW shared their expertise with short talks and first-hand demonstrations, highlighting how research and innovation can inform policy that delivers tangible community outcomes.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the inaugural event highlighted the vital role of research in shaping a more sustainable future for Australia’s most populous state.

“The Sustainability Showcase is a fantastic opportunity to bring UNSW’s research and expertise directly into conversation with policymakers – to help the leaders enact real change in society,” Prof. Brungs said.

“By working together, we can accelerate solutions that benefit communities, advance clean energy, strengthen local manufacturing and create a more sustainable future for all.”

Driving solutions for state challenges

The showcase focused on the government’s major priorities – housing, net zero and energy transition and local manufacturing – and how UNSW-led projects and initiatives can help address them.

The University’s areas of focus align with the NSW Innovation Blueprint, which is a long-term plan detailing the state government plan to work with partners to boost innovation.

Housing has become one of the state’s most urgent challenges and the NSW government has said it is committed to driving investment in local manufacturing. At the same time, the state aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Vice-President, Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement, Professor Verity Firth said the event reinforced the importance of putting people, planet and partnerships at the heart of innovation.

“Events like this bring our researchers face-to-face with decision-makers, ensuring that world-class innovation translates into real change for people and communities,” Prof. Firth said.

“At UNSW, we are committed to working in partnership with government and industry to create a fairer, more sustainable future.”

Showcasing cutting-edge research

More than 30 UNSW researchers showcased their expertise at the event, spanning diverse fields from waste recycling to clean energy storage and bushfire resilience, including:

• Professor M. Hank Haeusler is developing sustainable construction technologies to advance 3D printed housing in remote environments.
• Associate Professor Mariana Mayer Pinto is safeguarding marine health through the living seawalls project.
• Ms Dani Alexander is leading research efforts to reshape Australia’s energy system to be clean, affordable, reliable and equitable.
• Professor Jason Sharples investigates bushfire dynamics and develops new educational and training materials for firefighters.

The CEO of UNSW’s Energy Institute, Dani Alexander, said harnessing the University’s research strengths would be key to delivering on NSW’s emissions targets.

“Our researchers are developing the technologies and solutions that underpin the pathway to net zero. UNSW is where modern solar technology was invented and is the home of other world-class energy research facilities, including one of Australia’s largest real-time grid simulation facilities,” Ms Alexander said.

“This showcase is about bringing UNSW’s energy research and technology breakthroughs to the forefront, ensuring it can directly inform the state’s policy and investment decisions, so we can move faster towards a sustainable and reliable energy future that benefits everyone.”

Collaborating for a better future

NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and UNSW alumna Penny Sharpe said UNSW researchers offered innovative solutions to significant local, national and international challenges.

“The opportunity to have MPs come face-to-face and hear about the work you're doing and the potential that it has is really exciting,” she said.

“I know that there's a lot of things we're working on collaboratively, and there's more in the future that we can continue to do that’s not just good for New South Wales, it’s actually world-leading, and it’s going to make a difference not just here but globally.”

UNSW Renewable Energy Engineering Co-op and Computer Science student Alannah Darling addressed the showcase, telling guests about her education journey and the role of the University in shaping future leaders.

“UNSW’s connection and engagement with industry is remarkable, and I’ve witnessed immense benefit,” she said.

“My studies have given me the mindset to see challenges not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for learning and innovation. It is with this mindset that I and my peers will help tackle the challenges we face in the march toward a sustainable future.”