We are proud to announce that our HDR Engagement and Partnerships Manager, Nilla Wen, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Australian HDR Industry Engagement Community of Practice (CoP) for the 2026–2027 term.
The Community of Practice includes representatives from HDR staff across all Australian universities, working together to bridge the gap between academia and industry and advance shared national goals.
This appointment is a strong recognition of Nilla’s leadership and standing in the Australian HDR industry engagement space. It also further strengthens Flinders’ national position as a leader in driving collaboration and innovation in HDR engagement.
Congratulations, Nilla, on this significant achievement!
Curious to know what inspires Nilla and where she sees HDR industry engagement heading next? She shared her thoughts on recent achievements, emerging trends, and her best advice for those starting out.
How did you first get started in your field, and what drew you to this type of work?
Completely by chance! I was working as an education agent helping international students, and my goal was to work at a university. In 2018, a friend recommended a temporary maternity cover role at the University of Queensland’s Graduate School as an Engagement and Development Officer. I had no idea what that job involved.
It was a crazy decision, but I left a secure, permanent job to apply for that eight-month maternity cover contract – just to get my foot in the door. I got that role, and my contract kept extending, and I spent nearly three years working with researchers, HDR candidates, and external partners.
Seeing candidates grow and their work valued beyond the university sparked my passion for building partnerships.
What’s a recent project or achievement you’re particularly proud of?
All projects are unique and impactful in their own way, so it’s hard to pick just one. However, a recent achievement I’m proud of is Flinders’ remarkable performance in the National Industry PhD grant applications. Since this government initiative began in 2023, we’ve consistently been in an extremely competitive position, and in the latest rounds, Flinders is at the forefront nationally with very successful application outcomes.
It’s not just about the numbers – it’s about the meaningful partnerships behind each project and the impact they create. I’m genuinely proud to be part of that.
What trends or changes do you see happening with industry PhDs that excite you?
Researchers are increasingly open to industry collaboration, and more industry partners are embracing co-designed HDR projects and recognising the value of research.
What excites me most is seeing truly interdisciplinary teams come together – like environmental scientists working with health professionals, researchers from the humanities and social sciences contributing to policy development, and engineers collaborating with social scientists.
These partnerships bring fresh thinking and innovation that benefits both industry and the broader community.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
If I had to give one piece of advice: just do it, and be can-do. If you enjoy problem-solving and helping people, you’ll find your way. This space is constantly evolving – no two days are the same. One day you’re driving change, the next you’re juggling stakeholder issues and skipping lunch.
You’ll deal with lots of people, learn new systems, and drink a lot of coffee. It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding when you see research partnerships turn into outcomes that make a real difference to industry and community.
So if you’re thinking about it – just do it, and be can-do!