UNSW's Engineering the Future

UNSW Engineering
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UNSW’s Engineering the Future podcast is a space for thought-provoking conversations about the bold ideas that will impact society over the next two decades. From exciting developments in nuclear technology and major transformations in the mining industry, through to the universal impact of Artificial Intelligence, we speak with leading academics and industry leaders about the technological marvels that will define our future. Together, we’ll discover how world-changing action starts with fearless thinking in innovative engineering.

  1. 1d ago

    Beyond Solar: Changing The Way We Power Our Homes

    More than one in three Australian households now have rooftop solar, but powering our homes with renewable energy isn’t as simple as putting more panels on roofs. As solar, home batteries and electric vehicles become a part of the electricity system, how do we keep the grid stable, energy affordable and the benefits accessible to everyone?  In this episode of Engineering the Future, STEM journalist Neil Martin chats with UNSW Associate Professor Anna Bruce about the growing role our homes play in Australia’s energy transition.   They explore how rooftop solar and household batteries interact with the grid, why renewable energy doesn’t automatically mean lower electricity bills, and how virtual power plants could harness thousands of household batteries to support the wider energy system.  They also look at one of the transition’s biggest challenges: making sure everyone can benefit. From the barriers facing renters and apartment residents to plug-in solar, smarter buildings and automated energy use, Anna explores what needs to change - and what the Australian home could look like in 20 or 30 years.  Visit our website for A/Prof. Bruce's bio and a full transcript of the conversation. Read more of our stories on solar technology for households: Testing the next generation of solar panelsThe secret to better solar cells? Think like a baker⁠ ⁠‘Balcony solar’ and plug‑in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change⁠We can’t air-condition our way out of a hotter future, says UNSW expert⁠ ⁠UNSW technology to help bring solar and battery storage to apartments⁠ Let’s connect:  Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    Beyond Solar: Changing The Way We Power Our Homes

  2. Sep 22 ·  Bonus

    Power Shift: Inside Australia’s Energy Transition

    Australia’s energy system is undergoing one of its biggest transformations in generations. But shifting to renewable energy is about much more than building more solar and wind farms. It also means changing how we power our homes, businesses, transport and industries – while making sure the energy system remains reliable, affordable and accessible.   In this special episode of Engineering the Future, UNSW Engineering Dean Professor Julien Epps sits down with the Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Assistant Minister for Emergency Management, to discuss Australia’s energy transition and the technology, policies and collaboration needed to deliver it.  From rooftop solar and household batteries to electrification, green industry and climate resilience, they explore the opportunities and challenges ahead as Australia works towards net zero emission targets – and why research, innovation and a skilled workforce will be critical to getting there.  Visit ⁠our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ ⁠for more information on the speakers and the full transcript of the conversation.  Read more of our stories on the energy transition:  The secret to better solar cells? Think like a baker ‘Balcony solar’ and plug‑in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change We can’t air-condition our way out of a hotter future, says UNSW expert UNSW technology to help bring solar and battery storage to apartments Can Australia green its heavy industry? It’s hard – but necessary  Let’s connect:  Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    Power Shift: Inside Australia’s Energy Transition

  3. Aug 17

    What Our Voices Reveal About Us

    Our voices reveal much more than the words we say. They carry clues about our identify, emotions, and even our health.  In this episode of Engineering the Future, Neil Martin speaks with Associate Professor Beena Ahmed about the rapidly evolving field of speech processing and how technology is learning how to decode the information hidden in our voices.  From voice assistants and authentication to healthcare and personalised education, they discuss how speech processing is already embedded in our everyday technology – and explore the challenge of distinguishing real voices from increasingly sophisticated AI-generated speech. Visit ⁠our ⁠website⁠ ⁠for A/Prof. Beena's bio and the full transcript of the conversation.  Read more of our stories on Telecommunications:  Turning speech therapy into child’s play Dr ChatGPT: How AI could help us live longer ChatGPT for medical data? Predicting the future of population health Hey Google, it’s time you listened closely to what our kids are saying Smartphone app to screen for early signs of dementia  ⁠ Let’s connect:  Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    What Our Voices Reveal About Us

  4. Jul 20

    How 6G Could Bring Holograms, Smarter Cities and Improved Healthcare

    Imagine talking to a friend thousands of kilometres away who looks, sounds and feels as though they’re right in the room with you. That’s the promise of 6G: networks that don’t just communicate, they’ll also sense, understand and respond to the world around them.  In this episode of Engineering the Future, Neil Martin chats with Associate Professor Shaghik Atakaramians about how the next generation of telecommunication will deliver far more than just faster downloads. By combining connectivity with intelligence, future networks could their environment, predict changes and respond in real time.  Together, they explore how these technologies could enable safer autonomous transport, smarter cities, remote healthcare and education and even life-sized holographic communication.  Visit our ⁠website ⁠for A/Prof. Atakaramians's bio and the full transcript of the conversation.  Read more of our stories on Telecommunications:  Six things you need to know about 6G ‘Don’t scare the cat!’ Engineers find smarter way to measure quantum systems How ‘digital twins’ could help prevent cyber-attacks on the food industry Quantum technologies aren’t just the future – they’re already here and making an impactReimagining infrastructure through digital twin modelling Let’s connect:  Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠UNSW Engineering⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    How 6G Could Bring Holograms, Smarter Cities and Improved Healthcare

  5. Jun 8

    Flying Cars, Self-driving Vehicles And The Limitations Of EVs

    Demand for electric vehicles is soaring in Australia and around the world. But in 30 years' time, will we still need to charge our cars before hitting the road, or will autonomous vehicles powered by new technologies become the norm? In this episode of Engineering the Future, STEMM journalist Neil Martin speaks with Richard Hopkins, UNSW Professor of Practice and former Head of Operations for the Red Bull Formula One team, about the advances set to transform the automotive industry.  From flying cars and smart technologies to cleaner, more sustainable forms of transport, they discuss the trends shaping the future of mobility - and what they could mean for the way we live, work and travel.  Visit our ⁠website ⁠for Richard's bio and the full transcript of the conversation.  Read more of our stories on cars: Onwards and upwards as Sunswift finishes fifth in Bridgestone World Solar ChallengeGrowing EV popularity is leading to queues at fast chargers. Could a kerbside charger network help? A new ad campaign is pushing Australians to use less petrol. Has this happened before? ‘Blood cobalt’ is disappearing from batteries – and cheaper, cleaner batteries are arriving Let’s connect:  Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠UNSW Engineering⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    Flying Cars, Self-driving Vehicles And The Limitations Of EVs

  6. May 17

    How AI can boost Australia's productivity

    From improving government services to boosting business efficiency and tackling inequality, artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we live and work. But could it help reverse Australia's productivity slowdown? In this episode of Engineering the Future, Dr Sue Keay, director of UNSW’s AI Institute, joins STEMM journalist Neil Martin to explore why Australia must embrace AI to stay competitive and improve living standards.  They also discuss why developing Australian-made AI would ensure the country benefits from the value it creates while strengthening national sovereignty. Visit our website for Dr Keay’s bio and the full transcript of the conversation.  Read more of our stories on productivity: Australia is showing how a rich country gets poorer UNSW Sydney lands $3m Defence project to build next generation AI ‘Dangerously unprepared’: UNSW expert says Australia must regulate AI and invest in research Humanoid home robots are on the market – but do we really want them? Let’s connect:  Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    How AI can boost Australia's productivity

  7. 10/19/2025

    Why diversity matters in engineering

    Engineering touches almost every aspect of our lives. From building our roads and powering our homes to developing the medical equipment that will help save lives — the demand for engineering skills continues to grow.  But Australia is facing one of its biggest skills shortages, with more than 60,000 engineers needed over the next decade. In the latest episode of Engineering the Future podcast, Professor Rita Henderson, UNSW Engineering’s Deputy Dean of Society Impact and Translation, and Kath Richards, Chief Engineer of Engineers Australia, chat with STEM journalist Neil Martin about what it takes to attract and retain diverse talent in engineering.  From sparking interest in schools to creating flexible, supportive workplaces, they explore how diversity drives innovation and why it’s so important in tackling the world’s biggest challenges. For the full transcript of the episode and to learn more about our speakers, visit our ⁠⁠⁠website. Read more of our stories on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UNSW: UNSW’s Gateway shines, as Education Minister announces rise in domestic enrolments Girls in STEMM 2025: Building circuits, racing cars and shaping tomorrow Hands-on engineering hits the road with UNSW Makerbus Meet Keira Moran: Engineering student and co-recipient of the 2025 Inspiring Student Award Honouring excellence: women engineers celebrated as distinguished Ada Lovelace Medal awarded Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    Why diversity matters in engineering

  8. 09/21/2025

    How quantum is moving from the lab to everyday life

    For more than a century, quantum mechanics has challenged how we understand the universe. Once confined to theory and thought experiments, quantum is now powering real technologies – and the next 20 years could redefine how we live, work, and connect. In this episode of Engineering the Future, host Neil Martin speaks with UNSW Associate Professor Jarryd Pla, and Professor Peter Turner from Sydney Quantum Academy, about the breakthroughs and roadblocks of the quantum world.  From GPS-free navigation and ultra-secure communications to the promise of quantum computing, we reveal where the engineering stands today, what’s coming next, and why Australia is uniquely placed to lead the charge.  For the full transcript of the episode and to learn more about our speakers, visit our ⁠⁠website. Read more of our stories on quantum technologies: This purple diamond could one day amplify signals from deep space How a world record ‘squeeze’ could offer comfort for dark matter hunters UNSW engineers help crack key challenge in scaling quantum computers This metaphorical cat is both dead and alive – and it will help quantum engineers detect computing errors Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠.   Acknowledgement of Country  We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

    How quantum is moving from the lab to everyday life
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UNSW’s Engineering the Future podcast is a space for thought-provoking conversations about the bold ideas that will impact society over the next two decades. From exciting developments in nuclear technology and major transformations in the mining industry, through to the universal impact of Artificial Intelligence, we speak with leading academics and industry leaders about the technological marvels that will define our future. Together, we’ll discover how world-changing action starts with fearless thinking in innovative engineering.

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