Building future industry capability at the WoodSolutions Industry Academia Workshop
Bringing industry and academia together
On the 17-18 November 2025, WoodSolutions hosted its annual Industry Academia Workshop, a two-day forum designed to strengthen the connection between research, education, and the practical needs of the wood products sector. The workshop, hosted by the Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) and the University of South Australia, provided an ideal setting to explore the future of timber in the Australian built environment and its potential to drive innovation, sustainability, and growth across the sector.
Run by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA)’s WoodSolutions program, the event brought together researchers, lecturers, industry professionals, and technical experts to share knowledge, test ideas, and explore solutions that support the future capability of the sector.
Aligning research with real industry needs
A core focus of the workshop was ensuring research addresses the practical challenges and emerging opportunities facing the timber and construction sectors. PhD candidates and early-career academics engaged directly with industry professionals working across forestry, manufacturing, design, construction, and education.
Discussions explored fibre availability, market demand, and how timber can be used responsibly across the supply chain. Sessions on designing durable and sustainable homes considered how the sector meets performance requirements while responding to growing interest in low-carbon construction.
Participants also examined how industry and education providers can collaborate to build capacity, improve career pathways, and support future skills. This includes keeping timber and related disciplines visible in STEM curricula and ensuring students understand timber’s role in modern construction.
Sharing innovation and sector expertise
The workshop began with a field tour led by ForestrySA, taking participants from UniSA City West to Mount Crawford Forest. The tour included visits to the Forest Information Centre and key plantation and harvesting sites at Watts Gully and Charcoal Pits.
ForestrySA specialists provided practical insights into plantation establishment, harvesting operations, and fibre supply, giving participants a valuable understanding of the processes behind sustainable fibre production.
Over the two days, the program showcased collaborative projects and highlighted innovation across the built environment, research programs, and manufacturing. Industry presenters shared case studies demonstrating new approaches, emerging technologies, and opportunities to apply research to real-world challenges.
A key theme of this year’s workshop was exploring how timber can help address Australia’s housing shortage. Sessions sparked important conversations about how the construction sector can harness timber to deliver faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective housing solutions, highlighting opportunities for real impact across the industry.
Supporting sector growth and capability
The workshop reinforced the importance of collaboration in driving sector growth. By strengthening connections between academia and industry, WoodSolutions supports research translation, innovation, and the practical application of knowledge across Australia’s forest and wood products value chain.
Keep an eye out for future WoodSolutions events and opportunities to connect with industry and academia here.