Research for What?

Rom Bouveret
Research for What?

Hello and welcome to Research for What? The podcast that discusses scientific research, its purpose and impact. I am your host Rom Bouveret.    Each week I will interview recognised thought leaders who share the same passion for science and research and invest their energy, time or money!!   We will talk about the challenges and opportunities for research. I am also very keen to find out how experts define impact and what methods are used to measure impact. Every week, I will ask the question: Research for what? Photo by Shalaka Gamage on Unsplash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Cochlear - smart research and commercialisation

    04/16/2023

    Cochlear - smart research and commercialisation

    In this new episode of Research for What?, I am very privileged to discuss with Dig Howitt, CEO and President of Cochlear Limited, one of Australia’s most celebrated advanced manufacturing success stories. Cochlear Limited was established in 1983 as a subsidiary of Nucleus, to commercialise the cochlear implant, also known as the bionic ear, an innovative technology developed by Professor Graeme Clark at the University of Melbourne. After more than 40 years of innovative research and sustainable commercialisation, cochlear implants have made significant strides in improving hearing outcomes for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. To date, Cochlear Limited has provided more than 720,000 people with cochlear implants and has a global market share of more than 60%. Their commitment to advancing technology and improving patient outcomes has led to numerous breakthroughs in cochlear implant technology. In this episode, Dig Howitt explains why excellent research and development combined with smart commercialisation, are key elements of Cochlear’s innovation and success. A must listen!! For direct access to your preferred platform, go to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify or Google Podcasts. Note: this episode was recorded before the last federal election so any reference to the current government actually applies to the former Government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  2. Bringing art and research together to bring down barriers for people with disabilities

    09/02/2021

    Bringing art and research together to bring down barriers for people with disabilities

    TRANSCRIPT In this week’s episode of Research for What?, I learn about the work of legally-blind artist and researcher Dr Erica Tandori. Erica creates artwork to exhibit science to people with vision or hearing impairment, who traditionally don’t have access to research. Erica has spent the last couple of years in the Rossjohn Lab at the Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University to understand, articulate and exhibit research and science using multiple senses like vision, touch, sound and smell. Here, Erica describes the similarities and parallels between art and research. She explains how bringing both together, in harmony, can be relatively easy and immensely rewarding. Erica’s mission and unique approach to making knowledge accessible to everyone are impressive and inspiring. In this episode, we are also joined by audio-designer and composer Stuart Favilla from the School of Design at Swinburne University. Erica and Stu produce extraordinary pieces, which not only touch artists and members of the public who are not familiar with research and its practice, but also speak to scientists and clinicians. They help researchers, who have been studying fundamental mechanisms and diseases for years, to see their work differently, as artists, turning structural biology models into sculptures.  Erica and Stu recently launched a multisensory book titled ‘My Goodness’ (preview here). My Goodness is a series of 10 interactive ‘books’, combining tactile artworks, audio sonifications, braille-inspired protein molecules, large print, audio narration and braille supplements, which allow low-vision, blind, hearing-impaired and general audiences alike, to explore research on gut health, nutrition and immunity. It even comes with a pop song that can be heard at the end of this episode! Find more examples of Erica’s and Stu’s artwork including: Erica’s websiteThe Monash Sensory Science initiative (video of the 2019 Sensory Scientific exhibition here)Covers of scientific journals that Erica created (here)The HIV data projection project (video here) and the HIV CousCous Project (video here) For direct access to your preferred platform, go to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify or Google Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  3. Who Needs a Mentor?

    12/17/2020

    Who Needs a Mentor?

    In this episode of Research for What?, I find out who needs a mentor. And how to find a great mentor! This recording is from a live free panel discussion with three inspiring experts and scientists: Dr Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan, an EMBL Australia group leader at the EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science at UNSW Sydney. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor in the Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. She is passionate about mentorship both as a mentee and a mentor. Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, Executive Director of the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) at the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and the co-founder and CEO of Women in STEMM AustraliaDr Melina Georgousakis, founder of Franklin Women, an Australian women's organisation for women working in health and medical related careers. Melina also works as Policy and Research Manager for the Bupa Health Foundation.   The 3 fantastic panellists share their passion and experience and give lots of practical tips to find a great mentor! Some of the quotes in the chat were: "thank you so much .. such a great session"; "I’m hoping to start my PhD in 2021, and have found this discussion to be hugely helpful. I will definitely be actively seeking mentors as I move forward. Very grateful to each of the speakers for your practical tips and insight!""Thank you to all presenters for a wonderful session! I am one newly minted PhD grad who is now feeling very inspired!" This event was supported by SMS, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Imaging and Research for What?.  Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify or Google Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  4. How to Maximise Research Impact?

    09/18/2020

    How to Maximise Research Impact?

    How can researchers boost their scientific discoveries for the benefit of our broader society?  This virtual event was part of National Science Week and was recorded on the 21st August 2020. Designed primarily for research staff and students, this event was centred on a hypothetical scenario where a researcher, Dr Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan from the Indian Institute of Science, was seeking opportunities to boost the impact of a scientific discovery. Five experts from different specialties, ranging from academia, publishing and commercialisation, made their pitches: Marcel Dinger, Head of School and Professor at the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at UNSW, will represent academiaJustin Gooding, editor-in-chief of ACS Sensors, will represent publishingJulio Ribeiro CEO of Inventia Life Science will be our start-up founder and entrepreneurNatasha Rawlings investment manager at Uniseed will be our early-stage investorMarthe D’Ombrain, Senior Director and Head Global Research Innovation at CSL, will represent the giant global biotech company On-call is Nicholas Milne, Engineer, Patent and Trade-Mark Attorney at Patentec. Nicholas was here to answer any questions about Intellectual Property. Experts called on Nicholas when they needed any clarification about Intellectual Property. In the final act, Erin Rayment, Chair of Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia and Director Engagement at the Queensland University of Technology, brought her expertise and experience to help our researcher clarify impacts. Which pathway did the researcher follow? You can also watch the video here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

About

Hello and welcome to Research for What? The podcast that discusses scientific research, its purpose and impact. I am your host Rom Bouveret.    Each week I will interview recognised thought leaders who share the same passion for science and research and invest their energy, time or money!!   We will talk about the challenges and opportunities for research. I am also very keen to find out how experts define impact and what methods are used to measure impact. Every week, I will ask the question: Research for what? Photo by Shalaka Gamage on Unsplash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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