UNSW Sydney has officially launched an ambitious new initiative, Progress Partners, designed to confront and address some of society’s most pressing and complex problems. This groundbreaking project signifies a major step forward in tackling deep-rooted and systemic challenges through enhanced collaboration across diverse sectors.
A New Era of Collaborative Problem-Solving
The initiative, unveiled at a special event titled "Progress through Partnership" in Sydney’s CBD, marks a new phase under UNSW’s overarching “Progress for All” strategy. Progress Partners aims to deepen collaboration with business, government, and the community to address complex societal challenges at scale, recognising that no single institution can effectively solve these multifaceted issues alone.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, highlighted the initiative's significance. "Progress Partners is a practical expression of UNSW’s Progress for All strategy," he stated. "It creates a platform where the University can lead and work alongside industry, government and community partners to address complex problems that no single institution can solve alone." Professor Brungs emphasised UNSW’s role as a natural convenor, capable of bringing together varied stakeholders to tackle major challenges effectively.
Foundations in 'Progress for All'
The "Progress for All" strategy places partnership as a core pillar of UNSW’s mission, alongside its commitments to transformative education and innovative research. Through Progress Partners, UNSW intends to leverage its extensive academic expertise and established networks. The goal is to bring together partners from across different sectors and systems, facilitating the translation of evidence into actionable policy, improved industry practices, and tangible community outcomes.
Professor Verity Firth, UNSW’s Vice-President for Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, underscored the necessity of collective action in the face of contemporary challenges. "When we launched Progress for All alongside our Societal Impact Framework, we were clear that our ambitions are bigger than any single institution," she explained. "Progress Partners connects our research excellence and networks to industry, government and community groups so we can co-design practical, evidence-based solutions and turn big societal ambitions into real outcomes."
Addressing Financial Abuse: The First Progress Challenge
The inaugural Progress Challenge, launched under this new platform, focuses on a critical and pervasive issue: reducing financial abuse in Australia. Financial abuse is a complex problem with devastating effects on individuals, families, and the broader society, often intertwined with other forms of domestic and family violence. This challenge exemplifies the type of "wicked problem" that Progress Partners is designed to address.
The initiative will mobilise UNSW’s diverse research capabilities, from psychology and law to economics and public health, to develop comprehensive strategies. These strategies will likely involve creating new policy frameworks, developing educational resources for vulnerable populations, and working with financial institutions and support services to identify and intervene in cases of financial abuse. The aim is not just to understand the problem but to implement sustainable, evidence-based solutions that lead to measurable reductions in financial abuse across Australia.
Broader Impact and Future Aspirations
Beyond the initial focus on financial abuse, Progress Partners is poised to tackle a wide spectrum of societal issues. UNSW has identified key research strengths that align with its commitment to societal impact, including:
- Clean Energy: Driving innovation in renewable energy sources and sustainable energy solutions.
- Climate Adaptation & Built Environment: Developing strategies to build resilient communities and infrastructure in the face of climate change.
- Technology for Good: Harnessing the power of technology to address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
- Healthier Lifespans: Advancing medical research and public health initiatives to improve well-being and longevity.
- Equity, Security & Prosperity: Working towards a more just, secure, and prosperous society for all.
These strategic areas will serve as focal points for future Progress Challenges, allowing UNSW to direct its considerable intellectual capital and collaborative power towards solving critical global and national issues. The university is actively seeking partnerships with organisations that share its vision for a better future, offering opportunities for co-design, joint research, and shared investment in impactful projects.
A Call to Action for Collaboration
The launch of Progress Partners by UNSW Sydney represents a significant commitment to moving beyond traditional academic boundaries. By fostering a culture of proactive engagement and co-creation, the university is positioning itself as a vital catalyst for positive societal change in Australia and beyond. The success of this initiative will depend on the active participation and shared vision of its partners, working together to build a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.
