Western Sydney University researchers have been named recipients of prestigious Policy Challenge Grants from the James Martin Institute for Public Policy (JMI).
Dr Thomas Longden from the Institute for Culture and Society and Professor Srinath Perera from the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment will both receive $150,000 to support their innovative projects in electric vehicle (EV) charging and construction digitalisation.
The funding, which includes dedicated support from JMI to maximise the policy impact of the research, is part of the Institute’s annual program which recognises policy-focused research with the potential to address critical challenges, foster policy innovation and improve lives.
Professor Deborah Sweeney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise and International, congratulated the researchers and their project teams on the funding success.
“I congratulate both teams on their success, innovation, and for tackling some our most pressing public policy challenges,” said Professor Sweeney.
Dr Thomas Longden leads the EV-ready apartments project which aims to identify the technical and policy obstacles that have hindered the installation of EV chargers in apartments in New South Wales.
As policy interventions to improve EV charging infrastructure have typically overlooked those living in apartments, the project seeks to identify strategies that should be implemented by national, state, and local organisations to get apartments EV-ready.
Professor Perera leads the Leveraging digital technologies to boost productivity in the construction sector project which focuses on how digitalisation can improve productivity and performance issues in the New South Wales 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 SME businesses, using a multifaceted methodology that combines a horizon scan of emerging digital technologies and stakeholder and expert forums to explore grassroots demand.
The DigiCon Policy Framework developed through this project will position the state as a leader in digital construction practices and foster economic growth, sustainability, and improved infrastructure outcomes.
An independent, non-partisan policy institute with charitable status, JMI forges collaborative networks and drive innovative solutions to complex challenges. The Institute’s approach enables policymakers to harness a wide range of expert advice and ensures that researchers can effectively inform policy development.
To celebrate this year’s winners, an awards ceremony will take place in November 2023 at the State Library of New South Wales, with The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP providing keynote remarks.
