UNSW joins open innovation challenge seeking your big ideas

UNSW has joined the nation wide ideas competition called My Big Idea which is focussed on creating positive change for Australia.

A better future begins with good ideas – ideas that for instance contribute to greater social equity, safer communities, boost creativity and access to opportunity regardless of one’s background. 

My Big Idea encourages all Australians to submit ideas on ways to improve many aspects of our country and vote for other ideas that they feel passionate about. The top 100 ideas will go before a judging panel, with 10 winning concepts being developed and brought to life, thanks to the support of some of Australia’s leading organisations.

Another outcome is that 500 Australians who submitted an idea will be invited to take part in a 3-month innovation capability-building program.

UNSW is committed to the betterment of society just as the partners in the My Big Idea initiative aim to improve key aspects of the country, including boosting economic growth, caring for the disadvantaged, and looking after our natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. 

While the project has just launched it has already received hundreds of proposals, including suggestions how to: assist people living alone without access to care; turning underused sections of cities into green spaces; and improving communal urban living arrangements to meet needs of young, old, and disabled people. 

Do you have an idea about how to improve access to quality health care and education? How to make housing affordable? How to change attitudes toward domestic violence?  How to lift single parent families out of poverty?  How to improve living standards for people living in disadvantaged communities?  UNSW would like to encourage you to submit and share your idea with My Big Idea. 

The process is multi-faceted to encourage greater community participation. Organisers want you to submit an idea, encourage others to do so, host a brainstorming session, and, of course, to vote.

The 10 winning ideas will be funded and developed by project organisers and supporters.  

Submissions close 3 August.

UNSW organisations supporting and participating in the challenge include: UNSW Innovations, Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, the faculties of Business and Art & Design