Global experts convene to tackle societal challenges through research infrastructure

The world’s leading research infrastructure conference has an extensive program featuring 90 global research experts speaking across the three-day event in Brisbane, Australia. 

The critical role of research infrastructure in addressing complex global challenges – from climate change and food sustainability to pandemic preparedness and understanding the universe – will be explored in the world’s leading research infrastructure conference taking place in Brisbane, Australia, this December.  

The International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI 2024) has released its full program with 90 global experts speaking across more than 20 sessions from 3 to 5 December 2024.  

ICRI 2024 will showcase the world’s best strategies and networks for efficient, effective and accessible infrastructure, and explore how it can help confront global challenges, improve collaboration, and deliver societal impact.  

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is delivering ICRI 2024 in cooperation with the European Commission and the Australian Department of Education. Professor Elanor Huntington, CSIRO’s Digital, National Facilities and Collections Executive Director, said ICRI will bring together the world’s leading research infrastructure experts from across diverse geographies and scientific disciplines. 

“By providing an opportunity for the ongoing exchange of information, ideas and talent it will increase the capacity of research infrastructures to respond to, and cooperate on, complex and global societal and research challenges,” Professor Huntington said. 

Sessions will cover pandemic preparedness, how research infrastructure can address climate change over the next 30 years, the global energy transition, and developing new crops and management systems suited to changing climates.  

For the first time ​ICRI will cover Indigenous knowledge.  

Maori, Lakota, Sami, and Australian First Nations peoples will discuss how to build ethical, meaningful and respectful collaborations with local and Indigenous communities.  

“Attendees will gain practical insights into fostering equitable and impactful research infrastructure alongside Indigenous communities,” Professor Huntington said.    

“Speakers will describe how to develop partnerships that secure community buy-in, building capacity, and uphold Indigenous rights in data management while respecting traditional values and knowledge systems.” 

Claire Sainsbury, Assistant Secretary of Research Policy and Programs at the Australian Department of Education said Australia was proud to be hosting this landmark event.  

“Australia is hosting ICRI 2024 to ensure the greatest possible attendance from our Southeast Asia and Pacific neighbours, to increase their ability to network and collaborate with the global research infrastructure community,” Ms Sainsbury said.  

“It is also a chance to showcase Australian research infrastructure and the globally recognised National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) model that underpins so much of it.” 

The role and future uses of large-scale facilities such as synchrotrons, lasers, neutron sources, electron microscopy, quantum and high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence, and astronomy will be highlighted. 

ICRI 2024 will also consider the future RI workforce, with a focus on developing the next generation of leaders, and hear from global Early Career Scientists as they pitch their visionary ideas for the research infrastructures the world will need by 2050. 

ICRI 2024 will be a hybrid event, held both in person and online, to ensure the greatest possible level of global involvement and benefit from the sessions held. 

Those attending the conference in person will be able to make further connections through side events, meetings and site tours designed to enhance engagement, foster networking opportunities, and deliver valuable insights.  

View the ICRI 2024 program.