Tune in to the latest episode of WoodChat, which dives into the progress made at the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life.
First featured on Episode Three of the FWPA podcast series, this latest episode hears Professor Jeff Morrell, Centre Director, speak about the Centre’s work to-date in building research capacity in the timber industry, as well as exciting upcoming projects.
“The first few years were all about working with research and industry partners to identify their strengths and consider how we can best cross collaborate,” Morrell said.
“One area of outstanding success has been the engagement of students and post-graduates, and the education of the next generation of researchers in this field.
“An important focus of the next cycle will be on effective engagement with industry to ensure they see and appreciate the value of what we’re doing, and to help us understand their issues so our research is as relevant as possible,” Morrell said.
During the episode, Professor Morrell also discusses a planned focus on the circular economy, with efforts to develop strategies for the reuse of waste materials to add value and reduce costs.
In addition, listeners will hear from fire science expert Dr Felix Wiesner of the University of Queensland about his research collaboration with the Centre to develop insights around smoldering and timber durability in bushfire-prone areas.
Other interviewees include research scientists Dr Maryam Shirmohammadi and Lesley Francis from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, who discuss Centre-supported work involving field trials to improve the service-life prediction models of timber materials used for outdoor applications.
Hear all of that and more by checking out this latest episode!
WoodChat is available to listen and download through SoundCloud, iTunes and Spotify.
