Professor Michael Blumenstein. Photo: Andy Roberts
How would you describe research in FEIT?
We’ve got two tracks of ground-breaking research going on across the faculty. We’ve got the fundamental research side of things where we’re forging ahead with some really innovative, dynamic work with impact.
What sets us apart is our focus on research that’s responsive to industry and commercial needs. A phenomenally high number of our researchers are partnering with corporations, government agencies and other businesses. We get really glowing reports from industry on their experiences working with us. We’re fortunate to have big picture people who are engaged with whole sectors and government to deliver real outcomes to end users.
A key part of this is forging embedded partnerships in our facilities where we have partners on the ground working side-by-side with us. Tech Lab is a massive incubator for these partnerships.
Sometimes the partnership is so close, you can’t see where the UTS work ends and the partner’s work begins. I’ve been down to Botany and seen two scientists working next to each other – one wearing a UTS logo and the other a Boral logo.
So when people talk about research translation, it's bread and butter to us.
What areas of research does the faculty excel in?
UTS has been ranked number 1 in Australia and 11th in the world in Computer Science, and we’re also top nationally in Telecommunications Engineering. We’re the undisputed leaders in these fields that are really driving the future. The applications of artificial intelligence, data and the Internet of Things are really boundless in this digital world of ours. We’ve got businesses embarking on ambitious digital transformations and government driving digital adoption across the board.
FEIT is also taking the lead in some emerging verticals of the future. We’ve got a number of substantial projects coming through in defence, around technologies to improve truly defensive capabilities for the government. Our leadership in the local space race also acknowledges our strength in telecommunications and engineering, and UTS was recently awarded the Space Research Network in this area.
This work is on top of our work in using our research expertise in areas like AI, data science and water technologies in unexpected industries such as agriculture.
What are some of the most interesting research projects that have come across your desk recently?
One that I’ve personally been working on is a project with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade using drones for search and rescue in Vietnam. It’s a great one because it brings together the adoption of our technology with humanitarian purpose and social impact. And it’s working with a great industry partner and forging strong international relationships.
Another fascinating project is the brain-interface work of Professors CT Lin and Francesca Iacopi – a project that’s almost been completed. They’ve creating some really cutting-edge technology that’s tangible and will have a real benefit in supporting people in the armed forces.
Then there’s also some genuinely exciting work happening in water where we’ve gotten some big grants recently including from the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund and Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Hub funding. Then we also got some other recent ARC funding for work on termite control and producing low-cost wireless antennas. The list goes on!
What are some of the faculty priorities for the year ahead?
FEIT’s priority has always been to focus on taking our peaks of excellence and being precise in where we target these capabilities. There’s a lot going on in the university at the moment and I’m confident we’re going to emerge from this with a sharper vision and focus on our priorities.
To give you an idea of where these are, I’ll rattle off a quick list. Right now, we’re continuing our leading work in data science, establishing our new research centre for advanced manufacturing, leveraging our ARC Training Centre for Collaborative Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing with the Queensland University of Technology, and building a couple of new facilities at Tech Lab for algae technology and an Industry 4.0 microbrewery. Then we’re looking to kick off the research networks around space and connectivity that we’re recently won. There’s the Digital Central initiative leveraging the emerging tech precinct around us, we’ve got streams of activity around smart cities, robotics and transport.
We’re the biggest faculty at UTS and have so much going on. It’s all possible because of the hard work and commitment of our truly outstanding researchers. I can’t thank our amazing people enough for the work they’re all done over the past year under the most challenging circumstances. It made me so proud to be a small part of it. Now to be coming out the other end of that is so promising for the future.