Beyond new products and services, innovation includes new ideas, paradigms and methods that significantly change our productivity and our lives
Research area overview
When does the innovation cycle begin and where does it end? Where does that first spark come from and how does it cause ripple effects beyond an intended use? From a linear perspective, every idea builds on prior knowledge, gets tested, becomes a prototype or proposal, pilot program through to adoption by ‘end-users’.
From a complex systems perspective, there are feedback loops and opportunities for the innovation to change direction at each step along the way. Outcomes are not predictable and can provide abnormal returns. It's a team effort, involving many stakeholders who each need to value an innovation for it to have lasting change.
Project and theme highlights
- ‘Refugee and migrant entrepreneurship’ – exploring and helping to shape large-scale refugee entrepreneurship initiatives across Africa and South America.
- ‘Incubators and accelerators’ – exploring ways to amplify and support the start-up ecosystem across New South Wales.
- ‘Innovation districts’ – investigating how innovation and entrepreneurship emerge within specific places and creating cohesive, encompassing ‘blueprints’ that help cultivate and foster innovation.
Other research streams and topic areas in this theme include:
Transforming University–Business Collaboration
UTS is reimagining how universities and businesses work together to solve complex challenges. Through our unique transdisciplinary research approach, we integrate academic expertise with industry knowledge, lived experience, and policy insight to co-create solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and future-focused. This approach goes beyond traditional partnerships and stakeholder scope and inclusion – fostering deep collaboration that drives sector-wide change, supports sustainable innovation, and builds resilient systems. Whether tackling productivity, workforce wellbeing, or social impact, our research empowers organisations to evolve with purpose.
Accelerating Health Innovation
UTS is pioneering new ways to implement health innovations that are effective, equitable, and scalable. By integrating expertise from clinical practice, policy, design, data science, and lived experience, our transdisciplinary team address the real-world complexities of healthcare systems. This approach enables us to co-create solutions that move beyond prototypes – embedding innovation into everyday practice and improving outcomes for patients, providers, and communities. From digital health tools to precision medicine, our research is reshaping how health innovation is understood, adopted, and sustained.
Driving Energy Efficiency Through Leadership and Systems Change
UTS is exploring how leadership and organisational change can accelerate energy efficiency across industries and communities. Through a transdisciplinary lens, this research integrates environmental science, business strategy, policy, and behavioural insights to uncover the systemic barriers and enablers of energy transformation. By working collaboratively with government, industry, and civil society, the team is developing practical frameworks and tools that support sustainable decision-making, foster innovation, and build capacity for long-term impact in the transition to a low-carbon future.
Reimagining Business Models for Sustainable Development
UTS is advancing transdisciplinary research to reshape how businesses contribute to sustainable development. By integrating systems thinking, socio-cultural insight, and design-led innovation, researchers are co-creating new business models that prioritise environmental stewardship, social equity, and long-term resilience. This work goes beyond profit-driven frameworks – exploring how organisations can embed sustainability into their core strategies and operations. Through collaboration with industry, government, and communities, the research aims to accelerate the transition to regenerative, inclusive, and future-ready economies.
Contact us
At TD Research, we don’t just study problems – we work across disciplines and public and private sectors to co-create solutions and navigate positive paths forward. Our approach blends systems science, socio-cultural insight and design-led innovation to tackle challenges that no single field can solve alone. This is one of our competitive advantages and what makes us so unique.
By partnering with us, you gain access to a world-class team that’s skilled in navigating complexity, fostering collaboration and turning bold ideas into actionable strategies. Together, we can shape a more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking society.
To learn more and to see how TD Research can help you and your organisation, email TDResearch@uts.edu.au.