Optofab Adelaide Hosts Successful NCRIS SA Networking Event
On Thursday 13 March 2025, ANFF Optofab Adelaide proudly hosted a networking event for all NCRIS-supported research infrastructure facilities based in South Australia. This initiative, started by a representative of the Australian Research Data Commons, has the goal of bringing NCRIS representatives together, helping us understand the ecosystem and create long-lasting bonds.
Held at The Braggs Building, University of Adelaide, the gathering brought together more than 40 participants from across the state's research infrastructure landscape for an afternoon of collaboration, conversation, and connection.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for NCRIS facilities to share updates, learn from one another, and strengthen partnerships. With the support of the Optofab Adelaide team, the event was designed to keep things short, engaging, and focused on relationship-building.
The session opened with a presentation from Anita Gibson on Research Infrastructure Connected (RIC), highlighting the broader vision of interconnected national capabilities. Each attending NCRIS facility then delivered a concise two-minute overview, sharing their focus areas and a standout example of recent impact. We heard from:
- Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem presented ANFF Optofab Adelaide
- Craig Priest presented ANFF South Australia
- Ben Kay presented AuScope
- Sara King presented Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet)
- Kerry Mora presented the Australian Access Federation (AAF)
- Richard Dickmann presented the Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN)
- Kerry Levett presented the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC)
- Lyall Weir presented Intersect
- Sarah Harmer presented Microscopy Australia (MicroAU)
- Jason Gummow presented Phenomics Australia
- Jane Rathjen presented the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
- Jane presented the National Imaging Facility
- John Salamon presented Bioplaforms
The session concluded with remarks from Professor Craig Simmons, Chief Scientist for South Australia. After hearing the range of challenges, case studies, and capabilities presented by the NCRIS facilities, he spoke about the importance of making these stories more visible—not just to the government, but also to the broader public. He emphasised the need to highlight the critical work that often happens behind the scenes, noting that the public perception of NCRIS should reflect its true value.
Sharing NCRIS stories is one way to safeguard the expertise and infrastructure that underpin our national research efforts, especially at a time when global uncertainty makes such foundations more vulnerable to shifting political priorities.
The participation of South Australia's Chief Scientist, who offered insights into the strategic role of NCRIS and its importance for the state’s research ecosystem, was the highlight of this session.
The event concluded with a catered networking session and a guided visit to the Optofab Adelaide facility, where guests learned more about the hub’s specialist expertise in advanced manufacturing, optical fibre, and glass science.
The group also visited two labs in Quantum Photonics researching groundwater and in Molecular Life Sciences, which benefit from the ANFF infrastructure made available to the research groups via NCRIS.
This successful gathering demonstrated the strength and collaborative spirit of South Australia’s NCRIS network. Optofab Adelaide was proud to bring this community together and looks forward to continuing to support innovation through shared knowledge, facilities, and partnerships.