Researchers discover ways to maximise their intellectual capital

Protecting Intellectual Property and identifying ways to optimise its commercial potential are among the topics UQ researchers and Research Higher Degree students will cover at this year’s research commercialisation "boot camps" run by UQ’s main commercialisation company, UniQuest.

These intensive, two-day, off-campus workshops help researchers gain a better understanding of how to translate their ideas, inventions and expertise into products and services for the global market.

Researchers from all faculties and institutes are welcome to apply for the limited free places.

Both workshops will be held at the Radisson Palm Meadows Resort, Carrara:

RHD Students’ Workshop - Thursday-Friday, March 18-19
Academic Researchers’ Workshop - Wednesday-Thursday, April 14-15

Applications for both workshops are currently being accepted online: www.uniquest.com.au/workshop.

Workshop costs are covered by UniQuest, including transport to and from the St Lucia campus.

Over the past seven years nearly 800 UQ researchers have attended the workshop, gaining practical knowledge of the processes, pitfalls and potential rewards of commercialising their innovations and expertise.

Informative and insightful speakers’ presentations are complemented by creative group-work sessions and pitching practice with experienced commercialisation professionals.

UniQuest Managing Director Mr David Henderson said feedback from previous workshops indicated that the program and calibre of speakers really helped participants understand how they could achieve their academic goals whilst embarking on commercialisation pathways to influence widespread adoption of their ideas.

“The workshops are not just about how to take a scientific discovery and turn it into a commercial prospect," Mr Henderson said.

"The program covers a range of topics that academics and research students need to consider, whether or not they have a project they’re working on right now that could become a marketable product.

“All workshop participants – whether they are from Life Sciences, the Arts, or a multi-disciplinary team – gain valuable insights about what investors are looking for, why government and industry look to universities for expertise, and how engaging in commercial activities can enhance an academic research career.”

The RHD students’ workshop includes a panel discussion on career opportunities in commercialisation, and presentations from academics who became involved with commercialisation during their student years.

UQ academics currently involved in commercialisation projects also share their experiences at the workshop for research staff. Professor Ian Frazer will be the guest speaker at the workshop dinner.

The workshops also facilitate opportunities for networking with colleagues from UniQuest’s research collaboration partners: James Cook University, Mater Medical Research Institute, University of Tasmania, University of Technology Sydney and University of Wollongong.

Applications close on February 12 for the postgraduate students’ workshop and on 12 March for the academic researchers’ workshop. More information is available on the UniQuest website: www.uniquest.com.au.

Enquiries: Leanne Wyvill (3365 4307, 0409 767 199).