Connected Continents: A New Era of EU–Australia Research Cooperation through Horizon Europe – From Commitment to Collaboration

Australia and the European Union came together in Canberra on 10 June for Connected Continents: A New Era of EU–Australia Research Cooperation through Horizon Europe – From Commitment to Collaboration, marking an important new chapter in the research and innovation relationship between Australia and Europe.

Held at the Australian National University (ANU), the high-level event brought together senior representatives from government, universities, research organisations, the diplomatic community and the wider research and innovation sector. It provided an opportunity to reflect on Australia’s pathway towards association to Horizon Europe and to look ahead to what a deeper and more structured research and innovation partnership between Australia and Europe can deliver.

The event was organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Australia, the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, EURAXESS Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian National University Centre for European Studies.

A milestone for EU–Australia research cooperation

The event was moderated by Nishant Shandilya, Country Representative for Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific, EURAXESS Worldwide.

The programme opened with remarks and an Acknowledgement of Country by Professor Stuart Wyithe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), The Australian National University, followed by introductory remarks from H.E. Gabriele Visentin, European Union Ambassador to Australia.

The significance of the moment was then explored from both Australian and European perspectives.

Mr Anthony McGregor, Head of Division at the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Australia’s Chief Negotiator for Horizon Europe Association, spoke about Australia’s perspective on Horizon Europe and global research collaboration.

Ms Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Chief Negotiator for Horizon Europe Association, presented the European perspective, positioning Horizon Europe as a platform for global partnership.

Together, the two perspectives highlighted the opportunity to build on longstanding Australia–Europe research ties through a more structured and strategic framework for collaboration.

From commitment to collaboration

The two chief negotiators then came together for a high-level dialogue, “From Commitment to Collaboration: Delivering Impact Together”, moderated by Dr Anne McNaughton, Director of the ANU Centre for European Studies.

The discussion moved beyond the association process itself to consider what will be needed to translate political commitment into meaningful research and innovation outcomes, and where the greatest opportunities lie for Australia and Europe to work together in addressing shared global challenges through Horizon Europe.

The dialogue was followed by audience Q&A, providing participants with an opportunity to engage directly with the two chief negotiators.

Australian excellence in European research collaboration

The event also demonstrated how Australia–Europe research collaboration is already delivering tangible outcomes.

Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite, Program Leader for the Resourcing Decarbonisation Program and Director for the UQ Drone Research Platform at The University of Queensland, presented an Australian Horizon Europe success story through his involvement in m4mining – Multi-scale, Multi-sensor Mapping and dynamic Monitoring for sustainable extraction and safe closure in Mining environments.

The presentation provided a concrete example of Australian expertise contributing to a Horizon Europe collaborative research and innovation project, while illustrating the possibilities that closer engagement between Australia and Europe can create.

The formal programme concluded with remarks from Dr Anne McNaughton, followed by a networking lunch that enabled participants to continue the conversation and strengthen connections across the Australian and European research and innovation communities.

Continuing the conversation

The Canberra event was the first part of a two-day Connected Continents programme accompanying the visit of Deputy Director-General Maria Cristina Russo to Australia.

While Canberra focused on the strategic significance of Australia’s pathway towards Horizon Europe association and the transition from commitment to collaboration, the conversation continued in Sydney on 11 June with a complementary focus on moving from policy to practice and enabling participation.

Together, the two events reflected both the significance of the moment and the opportunity ahead: translating a strengthened framework for cooperation into new partnerships, projects and research and innovation outcomes connecting Australia and Europe.

Photos from the event