Earlier this month, the ATN team travelled to Canberra to host the 2026 ATN Conference: Industry and Education – Meeting Australia’s STEM Needs.
Across two days, the conference brought together leaders from higher education, industry and policy to explore the future of STEM education, research and workforce capability in Australia.
The conference program featured a wide range of discussions on STEM capability, artificial intelligence, applied research, university-industry collaboration, policy and funding reform, and Australia’s position in international education.
The conference opened with an examination of Australia’s STEM shortage by Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos and Professor Sally Cripps. This was followed by a panel exploring universities rebuilding social licence through impact with Professor Jessica Vanderlelie, Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, Professor Iain Martin and Dr Andy Marks. A session on international education and Australia’s global footprint included contributions from Dr Alek Voninski, Professor Penny Martens, the Hon Phil Honeywood (IEAA) and Christine Samy (Nous Group).
Afternoon panellists included Professor Harlene Hayne CNZM and Auckland University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa, joined by Professor Calum Drummond and Professor Andrew Norton, who explored STEM skills in a changing policy landscape. Lucinda Longcroft (Tech Council of Australia) and Dr Jodie Trembath (ACCI) also presented a panel focused on STEM pathways to improved productivity.
The day concluded with final reflections from ATN Universities Chair Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, alongside Dr Alana Piper
The ATN team would like to thank all attendees, speakers and partners who contributed to the success of the event. We look forward to continuing these important conversations in the future. Watch this space for our next event soon!
