Through collaborative partnerships and transdisciplinary expertise, ASPiRE is about driving industry transformation and cultivating a new generation of industry-ready researchers. UniSA Business is spearheading the ASPiRE initiative, dedicated to advancing sustainable production in resilient ecosystems by drawing together research expertise from across UniSA.
So what is ASPiRE all about? This project will continue to bring together business and management scholars interested in where, how, and with what effect technology, innovation, sustainability and human well-being collide.
Our own Professor Allan O’Connor says that it starts by looking at the advanced production ecosystems that form the basis of Industry 5.0.
“We want to create agile, innovative, and globally responsible manufacturing environments by integrating advanced technologies. The latest technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), AI and robotics, and advanced practices such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, digital supply chain integration, enable new management techniques, and demand new approaches that ensure sustainable manufacturing.
“And we want these to prioritise human well-being, this is what the evolution of Industry 4.0 to 5.0 is all about.
“ASPiRE explores how management and business practices integrate into global systems that enhance the innovation in manufacturing and production processes to create more agile and resilient manufacturing environments.”
Professor O’Connor spent many months across 2023 immersed in Industry 5.0, meeting with counterparts and research centres across Europe to deepen his understanding. What he reflects on his that Industry 5.0 reinforces the role and the contribution of industry to society.
“It’s more than just industry digitalisation and automation. Industry 5.0 is a shift to a more human-centric and sustainable approach. And ASPiRE will focus on these pillars of sustainability, human-centricity and resilience.
“ASPiRE will investigate the major challenges around skills gaps, safeguarding critical data infrastructure, optimising supply chains, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
“Not only are we looking to lead the change in transforming Australia's industrial landscape, but it is also about shaping Industry 5.0 leaders through HDR education and research. By integrating technology with sustainability and resilience, the ASPiRE program will equip researchers with the skills needed for innovative solutions.”
UniSA is leading the establishment of the ASPiRE Training Centre, a leading centre that fosters collaboration between industry and universities, offering practical training in an industrial context that will directly influence the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of Australian industry. It will pursue ambitious outcomes, which are evident in the form of researchers well-suited for the industry and commercial benefits for industrial sectors.
Engage with us
For more information, contact Professor Allan O’Connor.
