Month: July 2026

Industry Placement in PhD Training – A National Study of Student and Advisor Experiences

Posted on by Kath Williamson

New Report Released: Industry Placement in PhD Training – A National Study of Student and Advisor Experiences

How can Australia better prepare PhD graduates for careers across academia, industry, and government?

As industry demand for research-trained professionals continues to grow, industry placements are playing an increasingly critical role in bridging doctoral education and the innovation economy. Yet, until now, insight into what enables successful placements for students, advisors, and host organisations alike, has remained fragmented and incomplete.

We’re pleased to share the release of Industry Placement in PhD Training – A National Study of Student and Advisor Experiences conducted through the ARC Training Centre for Information Resilience (CIRES) with endorsement from the Australian Government Department of Education.

Drawing on perspectives from PhD students and academic advisors across Australia, the report examines:

  • Participation pathways & placement models
  • Student & advisor expectations & experiences
  • Benefits for research translation, professional skills, & career development
  • Challenges relating to workload, supervision, funding, & administration
  • Evidence-based recommendations for universities, industry partners, & policymakers

The findings show that industry placements are a valuable component of doctoral training, helping students apply research in real-world contexts, build professional networks, and develop industry-ready capabilities. At the same time, the report identifies opportunities to strengthen support, alignment, and institutional processes to maximise outcomes for students, universities, and industry partners alike.

Thank you to our report authors: Prof. Shazia Sadiq, Prof. Marta Indulska, Dr. Xianxian Jiang, & Dr. Javad Pool.

Read the full report here.

Congratulations to PhD Graduate Dr Daisy Xu

Posted on by Kate Aldridge

We are excited to profile our first CIRES graduate, Dr Daisy Xu, who celebrated her PhD graduation yesterday at The University of Queensland!

Daisy’s PhD journey with CIRES and the UQ Business School explored a powerful question: what makes data truly valuable once it has been collected? Through her thesis, Three essays on data (re)use and value creation in organizations, and an industry placement with Mantel, she examined how organisations can make data reusable across teams, functions, and changing business contexts.

“My industry placement made the idea of impact much more tangible. It reinforced that research creates value when it addresses practical challenges and produces insights that can be embedded into the everyday ways organisations govern, reuse, and trust their data,” said Daisy.

“Daisy is a very dedicated and proactive researcher. She successfully engaged with a wide range of my colleagues to gather the necessary support for her research, demonstrating a strong ability to navigate and work within an industry environment,” said Emma Freya, Principal Consultant at Mantel.

As Daisy prepares for an exciting new chapter as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Copenhagen Business School, she shares her advice for current and future PhD students.

“Share and present your research early and often – the conversations you have along the way are where you really grow as a researcher, and where ideas are tested, refined, and strengthened. Equally important is staying connected with your peers, mentors, and research community, whose support and perspectives will keep you motivated and resilient throughout the PhD journey.”

Pictured above: Dr Daisy Xu on graduation day at The University of Queensland, July 2026.

Read Daisy’s Full Story