Forest Research Institute Showcase | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Forest Research Institute Showcase

27-29 November, 2024 at Innovation Centre, UniSC Sunshine Coast
Join us at the Forest Research Institute for a free research showcase featuring leading national and international experts in Forestry, Forest Products and Forest Science. Hear Institute members and our talented HDR students present their research, and enjoy valuable networking opportunities. This event is open to all with an interest in forestry research.

Event Program

Student Development Day - Wednesday 27 November

Attendance is open to students who have passed confirmation.

8.30–10.30am
Student research presentation. All students having completed more than two years of study will present for five minutes on their research.

10.30–12pm
Student poster session. All students must submit a poster for this session.

12–1pm
Lunch

1–5pm
From Brand to Network: Your Path to Professional Success - presented by Michelle Redfern.

5–7pm
Social event and networking at the Bower Tree, Sippy Downs

Day One - Thursday 28 November

8.30–9.30am
Arrival and registration

9.30–9.35am

Opening address, Professor Ross Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

9.35–10am
Welcome and scene setting, Professor Mark Brown, Director, Forest Research Institute

10–10.30am

Networking morning tea and poster display

10am–12.30pm
Keynote address: Strategic Vision: Where the sector should be aiming for 2050

  • Forest conservation and restoration
  • Where the Durable Timber and Wood Products Sector Should be Aiming for 2050 – Jeremy Mead, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Hyne
  • Research and innovation needs for plantation management and timber production to 2050 – Steve Walker, Chief Operating Officer, HQPlantations

12.30–1.30pm
Networking lunch and poster display

1.30–3.30pm

Institute presentations: Timber durability
Chair: Professor Tripti Singh

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • Accelerated decay testing methods for low durability Australian hardwoods – Juan Vargas Garcia
    Copper indicator’s detection limits in solution and slash pine sapwood for timber quality assurance – Dr Tengfei Yi
  • Fire behaviour of Australian hardwood timber species for possible classification as BAL 29 species – Dr Luis Yerman
  • Enhancing Timber Circularity in the Frame and Truss Industry: Transforming Unused Materials into Valuable Resources – Dr Pene Mitchell and Kersten Gentle (CEO, Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association)

3.30–4pm
Networking afternoon Tea and poster display

4–5.30pm

Institute presentations: Forestry and wood production 
Chair: Professor Mark Brown

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • A Forest Pest Management Research Consortium to optimise pest control solutions in forestry – Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck
  • Collaboration: the building blocks of resilient forest health and biosecurity – Dr Madaline Healey
  • Radiata Pine thinning residue fire risk mitigation – Dr Martin Strandgard
  • Overview of the non-destructive wood quality research using Resi– A/Prof David Lee and Dominic Kain (HQPlantations)

5.30–7pm
Networking and poster display

7pm 

Close, Professor Mark Brown

 

Day Two - Friday 29 November

8.30–9am
Arrival and registration

9–11am 
Institute presentations: Nature based solution, carbon and forest management in a changing climate
Chair: Professor John Herbohn

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • Improving carbon gains and reforestation efficiency for Nature Based Solutions by incorporating tree water use dynamics into plantation design – Dr Adriana Vega Grau
  • Processes for gaining FPIC and working with communities – insights from Project Tarsier implementation and application to other areas within Shell – Dr Dora Carias Vega
  • Capacity building of project staff and communities to achieve planting targets – A/Prof Grahame Applegate
  • Drone and remote sensing research for carbon projects – Dr Nick Kokkas

11–11.30am
Networking morning tea and poster display

11.30am–1.30pm

Natural forest restoration and conservation
Chair: Professor John Herbohn

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • Carbon stocks and sequestration potential of community forests in Bhutan - Sigyel Delma
  • Climate, size and competition: interactions explain growth of Tasmanian eucalypts – Dr Alexandra Catling
  • Policy Initiatives, Regulatory Burdens, Market Mechanisms, Illegality, and the Wicked Problem of Tropical Forest Degradation – Professor Francis (Jack) Putz

1.30–2.30pm
Networking lunch and poster display

2.30–3.30pm
Panel: The Australian forestry research environment into the future emerging priorities, focus, and vision from here to 2050 

3.30–4.30pm
Panel: The Australian forestry research environment into the future emerging priorities, focus, and vision from here to 2050 

3.30–4.30pm
Roundtable discussion

4.30–4.45pm

Showcase summary

4.45–4.55pm

Closing remarks and presentation of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) student poster awards
Professor Ross Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

4.55–5pm

Close, Prof Mark Brown

Meet the Presenters

About the Forest Research Institute

UniSC’s Forest Research Institute undertakes work in the broad spectrum of forestry research areas that make direct and meaningful contributions to the sustainability of our wooded landscapes. This includes important areas of studies such as smallholder and forest conservation-based research, along with work to ensure industries are meeting regulatory requirements and public expectations.

The Institute is comprised of three Centres. Each has an individual identity and research focus but they work collaboratively for greater impact.

Contact

Forest Research Institute Administration
Email: FRIAdmin@usc.edu.au