The Launceston Institute is on a mission: to spark innovation, drive growth, and respond to the evolving social and economic needs of Northern Tasmania by building strong bridges between research, industry, and community.
That mission continued on 24 August at the River's Edge at Inveresk campus, where the Tasmanian Policy Exchange hosted a full-day workshop titled Policy Impact for Researchers. Designed for University of Tasmania researchers, the event offered a rare chance to explore how academic work can shape real-world policy.
One of the day’s highlights was a lively lunchtime panel discussion, convened by the Launceston Institute and facilitated by Dr Robert Hortle, Deputy Director of the Tasmanian Policy Exchange. Fifteen research staff and students gathered to engage directly with seasoned policy professionals, including Dr Tony McCall from the Office of the Coordinator General, Alina Bain, CEO of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, and Sarah McRobbie from the City of Launceston.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for our researchers to unpack the complexities of policymaking with experts from government and business,” said Dr Hortle. “These conversations are essential as the University strengthens its impact across Tasmania.”
Dr Fergus Edwards, Lecturer in English and recent PhD graduate, reflected on the significance of the event.
“Access to policymakers is always valuable—but this was a first for Launceston-based HDR and Early Career Researchers. With such a diverse group of researchers in the room, each bringing unique perspectives and expectations, the potential for unexpected collaborations and fresh ideas was enormous. Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a much longer dialogue” Dr Edwards said.
Angela Robinson, PhD candidate, praised the workshop’s structure. “The ‘Writing Punchy Policy Papers’ session was the perfect lead-in to the panel. It gave us a practical foundation before diving into a rich discussion about how policy shapes our environment, economy, and society," Angela said.
The Launceston Institute is excited to continue creating spaces where research meets real-world impact. If you’re a researcher eager to connect with industry and policy leaders, reach out to Launceston Engagement Lead, Naomi Walsh at Launceston.institute@utas.edu.au.
