Geotechnical Engineering And Knowledge Transfer Through Academic-Industry Collaboration

There appears to be broad consensus among government, Academia and industry regarding the need to improve current low levels of academic-industry collaboration in Australia. In the authors’ view these low levels of cooperation, and the flow-on detrimental effects to innovation in the industry, are intrinsically tied to many of the discussion points raised in recent ISSMGE CAPG facilitated forums. While the problems are complex and varied, one of the main obstacles to enabling academic-industry collaboration in the geoprofession remains the inertia of industry and perceptions that academic-industry research fails to deliver tangible benefits to the company. The authors have highlighted some key issues relating to the debate regarding academic-industry collaboration while also reflecting on their own collective experiences to highlight the importance, and benefits, of academic-industry partnership and the role that learned societies can play in enhancing this collaboration.