TRP Workshop Series: Empowering Scientists for Industry Transition

The EQUS TRP Workshop Series, led by Michael Harvey, recently took place at the University of Western Australia (UWA) on March 17, Macquarie University (MQ) on March 21, and the University of Queensland (UQ) on March 24. Over 50 EQUS members and guests attended the workshops, which offered invaluable insights into transitioning from academia to industry, with a special focus on responsible innovation. 

The full-day workshops covered essential topics, beginning with sessions on crafting industry CVs and pitching research to potential employers. A key highlight was the panel discussion on industry transition, which featured different experts at each location. The WA panel included Jo Hawkins from the University of Western Australia, the Sydney panel featured Jim Rabeau from DeteQt and Tara Ritchie from the University of Sydney, and the Brisbane panel included Kate Lomas, Liz Bridge from Quantum Brilliance, and Peter Starling from OnTalent, alongside Gabi Skof & Michael Harvey. These experts shared their insights on navigating the shift into industry roles, giving participants a broad view of the opportunities available. 

The day concluded with an interactive workshop on responsible innovation, a critical issue for the future of quantum technologies, AI, and synthetic biology. This session was led by Gabi Skof, and it provided participants with the tools to consider the ethical implications of their work in emerging technologies. 

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting that the sessions provided practical advice and boosted their confidence in making the transition to industry. The responsible innovation workshop, in particular, prompted discussions about changing approaches to work, with some participants noting they would rethink how they approach innovation moving forward. 
"The EQUS TRP workshop was extremely valuable at giving a broader perspective to academics and students about the possibilities that await them in the rapidly changing industrial landscape of quantum physics. Whilst providing very practical and actionable tips for acquiring a job within industry, a great deal of time was also devoted to what’s involved in creating and keeping a start-up running, including insightful anecdotes from people with first-hand experience. A discussion on responsible innovation highlighted the roles that researchers can play in ensuring appropriate messaging is used such that the eventual use-cases of their inventions are ethical and inclusive, and that we can do more than just put things out into the world and ignore the consequences.

Overall, I felt there was a genuine belief in the room that a PhD in physics, and quantum in particular, can lead to many other things beyond an academic career pathway. We want to train students with a desire to change the world, not just become professors", concluded Jeremy Bourhill.