EQUS’ annual Idea Factory workshops brought early career researchers together to building collective collaboration and research communication skills.

Beginning in 2016, cross-disciplinary and cross-node teams met on North Stradbroke Island to establish possible research collaborations. Science communication training was developed and exercised by the different workgroups, leading up to a final presentation to a panel of judges.

Idea Factory workshops proved to be an excellent opportunity to meet other young researchers, learn more about science communication and proposal writing, and to put forward new ideas and projects.

The Idea Factory was open for all EQUS PhD Students (2nd year and beyond) and all EQUS postdoctoral Research Fellows.

From 2018 to 2023, the EQUS Idea Factory was expanded to include another Centre of Excellence, with researchers from Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET) joining in, expanding members’ networking opportunities and expanding even further the diversity of science being discussed.

Each year, the Idea Factory program would focus on particular aspects of early career researchers’ skill sets, with external trainers brought in when needed to supplement expertise from the two Centres of Excellence.

For example the 2019 Idea Factory brought in expertise from  CSIRO’s ON program, design to build researchers’ skills and aptitude to create real-world positive commercial, environmental and social impact.

EQUS and FLEET participants applied these insights to their research areas in advanced materials and quantum technologies, pitching a ‘product’ to a panel of entrepreneurs and local high-school students. (Many researchers were surprised to find it was more daunting and more difficult to present to the high-school students than to the seasoned entrepreneurs – excellent practise for pitching to future non-physics investors.)

The 2021 Idea Factory focused on building scientific communication, grant-writing, and presentation skills, facilitated by Dr Merryn McKinnon of the ANU Centre for Public Awareness of Science.

The 2022 Idea Factory brought in trainers from research impact consultancy Cruxes Innovation, teaching practical tools, and helping participants develop an action plan for translating their research and ideas into impact.

Such tools and frameworks set participants up for future success, with a mindset of laying out a ‘pathway to impact’ for not just their current work, but for every future research project.