FWPA were proud to support the annual WoodSolutions Industry Academia Workshop, an event that continues to play a vital role in strengthening the future capability of Australia’s forest and wood products sector.
Hosted last week by the Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) and the University of South Australia, the two-day workshop brought together researchers, educators, industry leaders and technical experts to connect research with real-world industry needs. By fostering collaboration across the value chain, the event is helping to build the skilled, innovative and sustainable future that FWPA members are striving for.
Connecting industry and research for practical impact
For FWPA members, the workshop delivers tangible value by aligning academic research with the sector’s real-world challenges and opportunities, identified through FWPA’s extensive stakeholder engagement, including the Growers Research Advisory Committee (GRAC) and, in future, the Softwood Manufacturers Advisory Committee (SMAC).
Building Future Capability: WoodSolutions Industry Academia Workshop
FWPA were proud to support the annual WoodSolutions Industry Academia Workshop, an event that continues to play a vital role in strengthening the future capability of Australia’s forest and wood products sector.
Hosted last week by the Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) and the University of South Australia, the two-day workshop brought together researchers, educators, industry leaders and technical experts to connect research with real-world industry needs. By fostering collaboration across the value chain, the event is helping to build the skilled, innovative and sustainable future that FWPA members are striving for.
Connecting industry and research for practical impact
For FWPA members, the workshop delivers tangible value by aligning academic research with the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector THAT FWPA HAVE IDENTIFIED THROUGH ITS EXTENSIVE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES INCLUDING BODIES SUCH AS FWPA’S GROWERS RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE (GRAC), AND IN THE FUTURE, THE SOFTWOOD MANUFACTURUERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SMAC).
Research teams, PhD candidates and early-career academics engaged directly with professionals working across forestry, manufacturing, design, construction and education, ensuring future research efforts are grounded in practical relevance.
Key discussions centred on:
- fibre availability and resource security
- market demand and product innovation
- designing durable, sustainable homes
- responding to low-carbon construction requirements
- embedding timber knowledge in STEM learning and tertiary pathways
This direct dialogue helps ensure the research ecosystem is supporting the sector’s long-term needs—ultimately driving better tools, technologies and knowledge that benefit FWPA members.
Sharing industry insights and innovation
The workshop opened with a field tour hosted by ForestrySA, taking participants from UniSA City West to Mount Crawford Forest for a hands-on look at plantation establishment, harvesting operations and fibre supply.
For many academics and students, the tour provided invaluable context on the processes underpinning sustainable fibre production—context that strengthens future research and teaching.
Over the two days, the program showcased real innovation across the built environment, manufacturing and research. Industry presenters shared case studies highlighting new technologies, improved design practices and ideas ready for translation into commercial outcomes.
Members benefit from this cross-pollination of ideas, as the workshop accelerates pathways for innovation to move from research into practice.
Addressing national challenges through timber
A major theme of this year’s workshop was the role of timber in tackling Australia’s housing shortage.
Sessions explored how the construction sector can use timber to deliver faster, more sustainable and more cost-effective housing solutions, an area where FWPA members stand to play a leading role.
By bringing researchers and industry together around this national challenge, the workshop helps generate the evidence, skills and collaboration needed to drive meaningful change.
Supporting skills, capability and the future Workforce
The workshop also focused on strengthening talent pipelines for the sector.
Discussions explored strategies to keep timber visible in STEM curricula, improve career pathways and ensure students understand the role of timber in modern construction and low-carbon design.
For FWPA members, this work is critical: a skilled, informed workforce underpins the sector’s long-term capacity, competitiveness and innovation potential.
A collaborative platform for sector growth
FWPA’s WoodSolutions program continues to play a central role in building capability across the forest and wood products value chain. The Industry Academia Workshop is a clear example of how coordinated collaboration between research and industry can deliver long-term benefits for members.
By strengthening relationships, guiding research priorities and supporting innovation, the workshop helps ensure the Australian timber industry remains forward-looking, technically strong and ready to meet the growing demand for sustainable construction.
FWPA encourages members to stay engaged with future workshops and related initiatives, as they continue to shape the capabilities and opportunities that will drive the sector forward.
