SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
$4.6m
in government ARC Linkage grants
UNSW topped the nation for ARC Linkage grants in 2024 - recieving nine grants for projects including solar energy, water quality and Aboriginal land rights.
2nd
UNSW ranked second in Australia for SDG 9 in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings.
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT)
Founded in 2008 by UNSW Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at UNSW works with industry, national and international research partners, and governments across Australia, on the development of innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges.
In 2018, the world’s first MicrofactorieTM that can transform the components from electronic waste (e-waste) items such as discarded smart phones and laptops into valuable materials for re-use was launched at the UNSW SMaRT Centre.
Recent achievements include joining an advanced manufacturing advice service as part of the Federal Government's Industry Growth Program, with two key SMaRT partners awarded almost $2.9 million in funding to boost the use of SMaRT's Green Ceramics MICROfactorieTM Technology.
Our work
Empowering Australia's entrepreneurs at every stage, from curiosity to global impact.
Who's Afraid of AI?
Asking ChatGPT to do your homework, or having an algorithm decide if you get a job interview are all part of the new normal. The AI revolution has reached a point where we live and work with AI-enabled devices – the line between AI and humans can be hard to find. AI expert Toby Walsh (Machines Behaving Badly) and journalist Tracey Spicer (Man-Made) explored what this new world means and discussed some of the big questions around ethics, bias and ownership of AI with Erik Jensen. This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
Torch Innovation Expo 2024
The Torch Innovation Expo was held in 2024, marking the 8th anniversary of the Torch Innovation Precinct. The Expo highlighted UNSW’s advancements in key areas that benefit global communities for a more sustainable future, including clean energy, health and biotech, digital technology, water and environment, advanced materials and manufacturing, and social sciences.
Nuclear Futures: Shaping Dialogue in a Changing World conference
In August 2025, world-leading nuclear experts convened at UNSW in a first-of-its-kind discussion on the future of nuclear technologies in Australia and globally.
Organised by the UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre (UNIC) in partnership with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the two-day summit examined the key issues facing nuclear power and the energy industry more broadly, with a particular focus on Australia.
63 selected delegates from 31 countries joined more than 200 early-career researchers, industry leaders, academics and government officials at the conference, which established long-term links to Australia and potential career opportunities in the Australian nuclear sector.
Powered by UNSW
In 2024, the second ‘Powered by UNSW’ event at the Australian Parliament House took UNSW’s world-class expertise to government and policymakers.
UNSW academic and professional staff welcomed Members of Parliament, agency staff and industry leaders to the ‘Powered by UNSW’ event, where the University’s leading researchers, innovators and educators staged a mini exhibition on how they help tackle society’s most pressing issues.
Experts shared their insights on a range of issues including solar energy, AI, affordable housing, sustainability and manufacturing.
Watch: Toby Walsh on AI's threat to intellectual property
Drawing from his recent essay in 'Griffith Review 80: Creation Stories', Toby Walsh offered a fascinating perspective on our increasing reliance on intelligent and autonomous technology and how we might ensure AI is harnessed as a force for good rather than for nefarious ends.
Podcast: Toby Walsh on the Artificial in Artificial Intelligence
As artificial intelligence takes root in everything from science and social media to politics and policing, world-leading AI expert Toby Walsh seeks to answer a pressing question: can we trust AI or will it increasingly deceive us? Listen to this fascinating perspective on our increasing reliance on intelligent and autonomous technology and how we might ensure AI is harnessed as a force for good.
Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety
Facilitates advanced research in all aspects of civil engineering infrastructure, including building structures, bridges, tunnels, roads, railways, pavements and materials.
Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation
Unites the wide range of transport research at UNSW and aims to pursue globally-leading interdisciplinary solutions for transport planning and management for positive societal impact.
Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub is an interdisciplinary problem-solving initiative at the heart of UNSW’s Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA). It works to solve problems, respond to opportunities and facilitate positive change.
Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMaRT)
The Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at UNSW works with industry, national and international research partners, and governments across Australia, on the development of innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges.
UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute
Many future challenges can be addressed with advanced materials and manufacturing technologies. The UNSW Materials & Manufacturing Futures Institute will transform materials and manufacturing research by transitioning serendipity-driven materials research methodology to property-driven materials design.
Engineering Ethics in the Age of Digital Advancement
The future of multiple industries is being impacted by the advancement of digitisation and AI. Our Civil Engineering industry is no different and the future holds significant change and opportunity as technology plays an ever-increasing role in our work. This advancement also brings up the question of ethics as we are asked to help shape this new future. What will this technology look like? How do we ethically build a model that works at all levels and inspires trust within our communities? And the biggest question of all, is how do we become greater ethical engineers ourselves?
Learn more in this Q&A with industry and academic experts.
UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report
This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2024.
