Melbourne Connect

Over 50 companies are developing humanoid robots, but experts say the real challenge isn't building a robot that looks human, it's one that can handle the unpredictability of everyday life. A UNSW researcher explores what's driving the race in The Conversation → theconversation.com/humanoid-hom...

How is AI changing the way we make and experience music?Join Prof. Georgina Born (UCL), director of the MusAI research program, as she shares insights from bringing together music researchers, engineers and data scientists → www.melbconnect.com.au/events/ai-at...

Since 2021, we're home to world-class researchers, startups and creative hubs like Science Gallery Melbourne and The Creator Space. With the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Engineering and IT at its core and multiple 6 Star Green Star ratings, it’s an ecosystem built for connection and impact.

Should we stop saying “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT to save energy? Researchers say the real question is: how AI infrastructure is powered, how water use is managed, where data centres are located, and how growing demand competes with other social needs → www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/do...

Prof. Eduard Hovy, Executive Director of Melbourne Connect, joins IPAA Victoria vodcast to explore how AI handles complex, sensitive material while keeping human judgment at the centre. He emphasises that AI augments, not replaces, public sector expertise → www.vic.ipaa.org.au/insights/ai-...

We're hosting an AI Practitioners Community of Practice session with Lachlan Brooks, Engineering Manager at Jora, where he'll share insights on building agentic AI experiences for jobseekers at scale. If you're building with AI, this is a great chance to meet fellow practitioners.

Five years ago, we opened with a bold proposition: that the best ideas emerge when exceptional people share a space and a purpose. Today, that proposition has become a community with Melbourne Connect reaching its fifth year this March. Follow along as we celebrate our community and growth.

“Chameleon-inspired materials in buildings is fundamentally shifting how we approach energy and climate control,” says Dr Mohammad Taha, Research Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology.

Learn how it all works: www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/ho...

As we approach #MelbConnect5Years, we’re celebrating the community who’ve shaped our innovation precinct. Bern Hall joined in 2021 to lead Mediators for Science Gallery Melbourne. Now, five years on, DISTRACTION is her first exhibition as Lead Curator. → www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/fa...

A new ARC Centre of Excellence unites 7 universities + 16 industry partners to develop scalable, affordable, renewable tech. Prof. Michael Brear says a systems level approach is key to delivering impact & unlocking a major economic opportunity ↓
www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/ne...

It was fantastic having medtech innovators from Kyoto University visit Melbourne Connect recently as part of the Global Navigator Japan–Melbourne 2026 program by ACMD & Medtech Actuator. Clinicians explored Melbourne's cutting-edge translation facilities, including The Validitron.

"It becomes really psychedelic," says Dr Shaanan Cohney, calling the activity on Moltbook both entertaining and concerning. The platform offers surprising insights into artificial intelligence behaviour and safety as AI agents chat among themselves. → pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/wha...

Did you know that air pollution is now one of the greatest threats to human health, according to WHO? Researchers found that reducing shipping fuel emissions has inadvertently worsened coral bleaching. But, Australia is leading the way with a solution.
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Cle...

Innovation isn’t always about building something new, but making it useful for others. Co-located at Melbourne Connect, Liquid Instruments is delivering new measurement tools for scientists and engineers so they can focus on the problems that really matter → www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/mo...

Andrew Leigh: The Shortest History of Innovation official book launch Melbourne Connect is a world-class innovation precinct at The University of Melbourne, fostering collaboration between research, industry, and startups.

Join the official launch of the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP’s latest book, The Shortest History of Innovation, at Melbourne Connect on 17 February. Explore the story of innovation, the forces that suppress them, and the surprising ways ideas travel across borders.
→ www.melbconnect.com.au/events/andre...

AI is rewriting the rules of academic writing. Researchers warn that language quality can no longer reliably indicate research merit. Is AI-generated ‘slop’ inevitable? What safeguards do you think are essential to maintain research quality?
theconversation.com/what-the-hyp...

University of Melbourne researchers have joined NASA and international scientists to investigate the critical role of plants in long-term space exploration, working together to produce a roadmap for breakthroughs for sustaining human life on the Moon and Mars.
www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/au...

Happy Holidays! Thank you to our incredible community for the ideas, conversations, and collaborations that shaped an amazing year. We wish everyone a safe and restful break and look forward to what we’ll achieve together in 2026. 🎄 Stay connected: bit.ly/melbconnect-...

Medtech company Epiminder lists on the ASX, with a market cap of $290M. Founded by Faculty of Engineering and IT Prof. Mark Cook AO, Epiminder emerged from a research collaboration between The University of Melbourne, Bionics Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital → eng.unimelb.edu.au/ingenium/uni...

What does it take to shape the next generation of engineering? For Prof. Thas Nirmalathas, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and IT, it’s about thinking beyond technical expertise. Discover his recent work: about.unimelb.edu.au/news-resourc...

In 2025, we’re proud to look back on a truly groundbreaking year. Whether it’s connecting industry with researchers or spotlighting new ideas, the precinct has been a space where people come together to experiment, share, and build things that make a difference.

Global research from The University of Melbourne reveals that a staggering 66% of employees who use AI at work have relied on its outputs without evaluating them. So what can we do to reduce AI 'workslop' and use these tools more responsibly? → www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/ai...

We were very proud to host Informa Australia's 2025 National Health & Innovation Precincts Summit. Together, we brought Australia’s leading health precinct and innovation districts leaders under one roof to chart a smarter path forward for medical research and precinct-driven healthcare innovation.

Researchers at The University of Melbourne have developed a new AI tool that builds virtual patient “twins” and predicts individual health trajectories. It’s already being hailed as a potential gamechanger for clinical trials.
www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/ai...

At Melbourne Connect, we’re committed to fostering a safe, equitable, and welcoming space, celebrating the contributions, creativity, and perspectives of people with disability today and beyond. Explore resources and events: about.unimelb.edu.au/diversity-in...

Over 194 countries gathered at COP30 to tackle the worsening climate crisis. With wins & setbacks, what can we learn? Hear first-hand from Professor Jacqueline Peel of The University of Melbourne & Director of Melbourne Climate Futures, who was on the ground.
→ www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/th...

It’s been a big few weeks at the precinct, packed with standout startup showcases and visits from international speakers, including Oracle, NUS, and Tsinghua University. Check out our highlights below. Never miss a precinct event — sign up to our newsletter: bit.ly/melbconnect-...

Based at Melbourne Connect, Kali Healthcare is building AI-driven technology to protect maternal and foetal health. Led by University of Melbourne electrical engineer Dr Emerson Keenan, the team is developing continuous remote monitoring. www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/ho...

What does inclusive technology actually look like?
Join us with for our latest Connected event on Monday 1 December to explore how inclusive collaboration can drive the design of accessible technologies for people with disabilities. → www.melbconnect.com.au/events/conne...

Liquid Instruments, a leader in reconfigurable test instrumentation at Melbourne Connect, has partnered with Breakthrough Victoria and The Creator Space at The University of Melbourne to donate three Moku:Go devices for use across their learning programs. www.melbconnect.com.au/discovery/li...