Research in Action Symposium explores impactful research with industry collaboration

Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA)’s inaugural Research in Action Symposium on  4-5 June 2025, brought together industry, researchers, and PhD candidates in an ambitious two-day program dedicated to practice-led, interdisciplinary and impact-driven research. Designed to strengthen relationships between academia and industry, the symposium demonstrated MADA’s commitment to producing real-world solutions across architecture, design, art and emerging technologies.

Spearheaded by Professor Nicole Kalms (Associate Dean, Research) and Associate Professor Jess Berry (Associate Dean, Graduate Research), the symposium reflected MADA’s interdisciplinary ethos and deep commitment to public impact.

Speaking at the opening Industry Evening, Dean Professor Mel Dodd highlighted the significance of the event: “This symposium is a celebration of the way our research labs collaborate across disciplines and with industry, government and community to co-create solutions to pressing real-world problems,” she said. “We hope this event opens the door to new conversations, collaborations and innovations.”

Professor Mel Dodd's welcome to Research in Action

Day One’s Workshopping with MADA Research Labs saw each of the faculty’s labs present current research in collaboration with partners across government, community and private sectors. The Design Health Collab shared its work with Micro-X on portable CT imaging for emergency settings. XYX Lab presented gender-inclusive safety tools such as YourGround, while the Mobility Design Lab explored sustainable transport systems in peri-urban contexts. The Monash Urban Lab reflected on their work with Housing Choices Australia and NMBW Architecture Studio on public housing prototypes. SensiLab and the Emerging Technologies Lab introduced speculative and interactive projects that rethink our relationship with technology.

Workshopping event as part of Research in Action.

At the Industry Evening, each lab hosted a floor talk with invited industry guests. Architecture firm Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB) Architects reflected on their collaboration with the Future Building Initiative on construction systems and productivity. Luke Wilson of JCB spoke to the value of data-driven design in realising faster, more sustainable housing. MAP (Monash Art Projects) discussed the recent public art installation ‘The Birds’ with MUMA (Monash University Museum of Art) and Informal Cities Lab shared updates from its ongoing RISE project in Makassar, Indonesia. Grimshaw Architects spoke with XYX Lab about the importance of ‘Queer Cities Buildings’, whilst Cate O’Kane from Alfred Health spoke with the Emerging Technologies Research Lab about the role of technology in improving the care of patients.

Luke Wilson from JCB Architects in conversation with Duncan Maxwell, Director of Future Building Initiative.

The afternoon also included Common Ground Critiques—informal reviews of postgraduate research conducted by cross-disciplinary panels of academic and industry leaders, including contributions from AKQA, Grimshaw, and DesignInc. These sessions allowed candidates to gather critical feedback and build networks beyond the university.

Earlier that day, the PhD Mini Milestone Presentations showcased innovative research in spatial care at riverfronts, gender equality and mobility in peri-urban Victoria, architectural advocacy for gig economy workers and deployable healthcare design as well as photomedia and ruins. This was followed by the Alumni Roundtable, which focused on the PhD in practice. Pannelist Dr Kate Rhodes shared insights from her curatorial PhD and the acclaimed Show of Shows exhibition, whilst Dr Damian Madigan an academic and registered architect, spoke about bridging practice and teaching across institutions and Dr Lisa Fu now Associate Innovation Director at AKQA, traced her journey from Monash’s Mobility Design Lab to global digital design leadership.

“Across the board, what we saw here was research in action—a demonstration of how our research dissolves disciplinary boundaries to imagine real, transformative change,” said Dodd.

The symposium concluded with the Tomorrow Party—a celebratory forum for speculative futures—and the PhD Graduate Exhibition, spotlighting the latest MADA research-driven work in art, design, architecture and curation.

With vibrant discussion, cross-sector critique, and shared agendas for impact, the Research in Action Symposium affirmed MADA’s role as a leading site of creative innovation and strategic industry engagement.

To learn more about partnering with MADA for research, contact the individual Research Labs here