Systems, capabilities and mechanisms for change
Transitioning infrastructure requires an understanding of the systems which form the industry, determining how we plan, design, build, operate and re-use or recycle infrastructure. Within these systems are the institutions and people whose decisions every day determine the future of infrastructure. Research in this theme seeks to develop greater knowledge of the systems, institutional capabilities and initiatives required and experience of individuals in industry transitions.
Current projects
- Informing industry transitions through systems dynamics modelling and LCA (2022-2023)
- Preparing the infrastructure workforce for digital and sustainability transitions (2022-2023)
- Procurement models for circular economy in infrastructure (2021-2022)
- Evaluating industry transitions: A case study of the Infrastructure CoLab (2021-2023)
Informing industry transitions through systems dynamics modelling and LCA (2022-2023)
To help shape the conversation between stakeholders, and foster collaboration and innovation, global leaders from industry and academia are working together on a unique project to create new knowledge in the domain of hydrogen infrastructure. Systems Dynamics models (informed by Life Cycle Assessment - LCA) will facilitate interdisciplinarity (Mattila, 2005) and a shared understanding of the potential problems and solutions paving the way to a resilient, sustainable energy future.
Simulation modelling and group model building approaches will be used to integrate the developing knowledge bases for upscaling hydrogen, and support the collaborative production of new knowledge as industry navigates a green gas energy future. The hybrid SD model will allow decision-makers to experiment with different courses of action providing both dynamic impacts and system-wide insights into trade-offs and interventions. This exciting project is part of the SIRH’s aim to increase the evidence base on the role of infrastructure in the transition to decarbonised, circular and resilient economies and communities.
Project staff
Dr Sue McAvoy
Senior Research Fellow
Systems Dynamics Lead
Dr Cristyn Meath
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and IT
Miss Agnes Toth-Peter
Senior Research Assistant
Systems Dynamics, Digitalisation and Circular Business Models
Preparing the infrastructure workforce for digital and sustainability transitions (2022-2023)
How do we prepare the workforce in the infrastructure industry to be successful as their work changes, both as a result of digitalisation and the need to transition to sustainable infrastructure?
The change to a sustainable infrastructure focus will require technical and process changes to enable design, delivery and maintenance of infrastructure assets in a decarbonised and circular economy. Increasing digitalisation of all of these processes will be both an opportunity and a challenge for the industry. Workforce adoption of both digital technology and sustainability practices by the infrastructure industry will be central to the success of this transition. This challenge will need to be met by the many players in the full infrastructure value chain, from owners, designers and constructors to users and maintainers over the asset lifecycle.
The UQ Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub (SIRH) and global professional services firm ARUP, brought a group of interested stakeholders together to discuss the urgency to improve sustainability outcomes in the infrastructure industry. Find out more about the event outcomes.
Project staff
Dr Tracy Martin
Research Fellow
Workforce Transition Lead
Dr Cristyn Meath
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and IT
Procurement models for circular economy in infrastructure (2021-2022)
This project investigates different infrastructure project procurement models and their influence on circular economy outcomes across the project lifecycle. Leveraging circular economy outcomes will assist the industry to manage resource scarcity, increasing waste costs and growing requirements to improve sustainability of projects.
Project staff
Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and IT
Dr Cristyn Meath
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Mr Lawrence Miles-Mwangangi
Senior Research Assistant
Infrastructure Procurement and Risk
Evaluating industry transitions: A case study of the Infrastructure CoLab (2021-2023)
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a collaboration lab - the Infrastructure Colab (ICL) - to support Australia's infrastructure industry to transition to a decarbonised and circular economy. The ICL brings together various industry, government and academic parties to work together to create the required transition solutions.
Visit the Infrastructure CoLab website to find out more about this initiative.
Project staff
Dr Cristyn Meath
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Miss Syvannah Wilson
Senior Research Assistant
Evaluating Transitions