Western Sydney University researchers have been named recipients of prestigious Policy Challenge grants from the James Martin Institute of Public Policy (JMI).
Dr Thomas Longden from the Institute of Culture and Society and Professor Srinath Perera from the School of Engineering, Design and the Built Environment will each receive $150,000 to support their innovative projects in the areas of electric vehicle (EV) charging and digitalisation of construction.
The funding, which includes targeted support from JMI to maximize the policy impact of research, is part of the Institute’s annual program that recognizes policy-oriented research with the potential to address critical problems, promote policy innovation, and improve lives.
Professor Deborah Sweeney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise and International Affairs, congratulated the researchers and their project teams on their successful funding.
“I congratulate both teams on their success, innovation and tackling some of the most pressing public policy issues,” Professor Sweeney said.
Dr Thomas Longden heads Project of apartments ready for the use of electric vehicles which aims to identify the technical and policy barriers that have prevented the installation of electric vehicle chargers in apartments in New South Wales.
Because policy efforts to improve EV charging infrastructure are typically overlooked by those living in apartments, the project aims to identify strategies that should be implemented by national, state, and local organizations to prepare apartments for EV use.
Professor Perera heads Using digital technologies to improve productivity in construction sector projects which focuses on how digitalization can improve productivity and productivity in the NSW construction industry.
The project will develop a policy framework for the digital transformation of the state’s construction sector, which is dominated by micro- and small- and medium-sized enterprises, using a multifaceted methodology that combines an analysis of the horizons of new digital technologies, as well as stakeholder and expert forums to explore the mass demand.
The DigiCon policy framework developed under this project will position the state as a leader in digital construction and promote economic growth, sustainability and improved infrastructure outcomes.
An independent, non-partisan policy institution with charitable status, JMI creates collaborative networks and proposes innovative solutions to complex problems. The Institute’s approach allows policymakers to draw on a wide range of expert advice and ensures that researchers can effectively inform policymakers.
To celebrate this year’s winners, an awards ceremony will be held in November 2023 at the State Library of New South Wales with the Hon. Member of Parliament Anulak Chanthivong gave the keynote address.
END
October 19, 2023
Average unit