Research Directions Forum

James Cook University (JCU) researchers from Cairns and Townsville joined an in-person forum at the JCU's Bada-Jali campus on September 23 and 24 for a university-wide plan to progress Research Direction 8: Regional and Community Transitions (RD8).

This was a joint initiative of the JCU Research Division and The Cairns Institute (TCI). The forum, led by Professor Allan Dale (TCI) and Associate Professor Taha Chaiechi (CITBA), also featured external stakeholders to help set the community and industry context.

These included:
• Professor Ross Garnaut (University of Melbourne) to discuss the opportunities facing Central and Northern Queensland in the coming energy transition;
• Mark Olsen (Tourism Tropical North Queensland) to discuss the sectoral transitions needed in the Tourism Industry;
• Maria James (Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone) to discuss the regional transitions facing the North West of Queensland;
• Amy Braes (Mareeba Shire Council) to discuss community scale opportunities and pressures facing Mareeba Shire;
• Tania Jones (Green Gravity) to discuss a major new green energy project; and
• Shaneen Fantin (University of Queensland) to discuss household scale climate and energy transitions.

Researchers from across TropWater, The Cairns Institute, the Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) Drought Resilience Hub and the Colleges of Science and Engineering (CSE), Business, Law and Governance (CBLG) and Art, Society and Education (CASE) were in attendance.

Focal Areas of Discussion
Forum discussions were organised around five major focal areas:
1. Regional and Community Transitions - supporting governance processes, social licence, and community agency in transition;
2. Facilitating Resilient Landscapes in a Decarbonised and Nature Positive World - integrating terrestrial, aquatic and marine systems for regional and local decisions;
3. Transitioning Industry Sectors & Business Development - rethinking sectoral and enterprise scale transitions in agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, critical minerals, and manufacturing for sustainable futures; and
4. Tropical Energy, Critical Minerals and Circular Solutions – embedding new and innovative technologies and innovation to drive affordable, low-carbon energy and resource circularity.
5. Workforce Development and Education – building regional and community skills through micro-credentials, education, and next-generation workforce programs.

JCU’s Role and Capacity
A recurring message was the critical role of regional universities in supporting adaptation and transition. Some of JCU’s key strengths
were seen in:
• Applied Research and Innovation: Delivering practical, evidence-based solutions for industries and communities;
• Workforce Development: Designing bridging programs and flexible training to meet urgent regional skills needs;
• Partnerships and Co-Design: Embedding researchers in communities and co-developing solutions with councils, industry, and First Nations groups; and
• Policy Influence: Acting as a thought leader and critical friend to government and industry through data, modelling, and scenario analysis.

Examples raised included JCU’s contributions to energy transition modelling, economic modelling, restoration and green economy strategies, regional planning in agriculture and aquaculture, and social science expertise in governance and resilience alongside the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). These illustrate how JCU anchors complex transitions across multiple scales and sectors.

Outcomes and Next Steps
The forum confirmed that RD8 will be central to JCU’s research impact agenda. Outcomes included:
• A shared commitment to finalise the RD8 Implementation Plan by the end of 2025, ensuring alignment across disciplines and regions;
• Progression towards major initiatives in the MITEZ corridor and TNQ tourism sector;
• Recognition of the need for strategic investment in crossdisciplinary projects that integrate environmental, social, and economic perspectives; and
• A strong consensus that JCU must be visible and present in communities and to be a partner in shaping resilient and sustainable futures.

The forum showcased JCU’s role as an enabler of tangible, place-based impact and reinforced the university’s responsibility to stand alongside the regions it serves as they navigate major transitions.

The input received will see the RD 8 Plan developed and finalised by the end of 2025.

November 2025