In May, I had the pleasure of attending Collaborate Innovate 2025, hosted by Cooperative Research Australia at the stunning Melbourne Connect precinct. As someone who works every day at the intersection of science and industry, it was genuinely inspiring to be in a space filled with people who believe, as I do, that collaboration is not just a “nice to have” but a fundamental driver of innovation and progress.
This year’s theme Bold Ideas, Brave Ventures: Collaborate to Compete in a Changing Environment, couldn’t have been more timely. The room was buzzing with energy and ideas, with more than 300 delegates from across the research, government, industry, and innovation sectors. From panel discussions on research translation and commercialisation to conversations about national research infrastructure and talent development, the event was full of insights that are directly relevant to the work we’re doing at Poultry Hub Australia.
One of the most valuable aspects for me was hearing how other Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) are building long-term, trusted partnerships and ensuring that research leads to action. Whether it’s precision agriculture, sustainable packaging, climate resilience, or regional innovation, the principles are the same: we need deep engagement between researchers and end-users, and we need systems that support both discovery and delivery.
That resonates so clearly in the poultry sector, where issues like animal welfare, workforce development, antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity require a multidisciplinary, integrated response. Our role at PHA is often to be the bridge between the research and the farm gate and it’s a role I take immense pride in. This conference reinforced that our approach is not only valid but essential in today’s rapidly shifting innovation landscape.
I left Collaborate Innovate 2025 reminded that the most meaningful outcomes come when science and industry are aligned from the outset when end-users are part of the question-making, not just the answer-receiving. For me, it wasn’t just a networking opportunity (although I did connect with some fantastic people doing exciting work); it was a moment to recalibrate and reflect on the big picture. We’re part of a much larger national story of innovation, one where poultry plays a crucial role in feeding the world, sustainably and ethically.
And as we continue to grow our partnerships and explore new frontiers in poultry research and production, I’m more confident than ever that we’re on the right path. Events like this help us see not only where we are, but where we need to go together.
