2023 Activity Report Summary
Research Projects
In 2023, UNOVA undertook several projects across three core themes: Fintech & AI, Smart Cities, and Operations Management. These projects were carried out in collaboration with various partners.
Fintech & AI
UNOVA partnered with a digital business platform company to address the Fintech and Blockchain research domain. In the Fintech space, UNOVA collaborated with a fund management firm and the Digital Finance CRC to tokenise real estate assets, aiming to address housing issues in Australia. Additionally, UNOVA developed an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mapping framework with the Fintech AI Innovation Consortium (FAIC) to help financial institutions evaluate their investment portfolios.
The “Ignition Wealth Platform Design” project was conducted in partnership with an Australian software company in the Fintech and Blockchain research area. UNOVA also researched the most popular digital wallet in Vietnam, which has over 23 million active users, and developed a theory of super-app development.
Smart Cities
The “Customer Experience Digital Uplift” project was executed in collaboration with a City Council of New South Wales. This Smart Cities initiative aimed to enhance the Council’s customer experiences through strategic digital interventions. The project sought to understand the extent and complexities of digital exclusion within the local government area, with the ultimate goal of refining and optimising the design of the council’s online services to ensure inclusivity for all residents.
Operations Management
UNOVA collaborated with uDASH (the UNSW Data Science Hub) on the AI/ML-Enabled optimal pricing project for a logistics company, focusing on the company’s Supply Chain dynamics.
Additionally, UNOVA continued the project of Novel and Environmentally Sustainable Ultra-High Efficiency Micro-HVAC System, in collaboration with the CRC-P and a climate tech company specialising in air conditioning. The project aimed to improve air conditioning solutions for commercial applications.
In Action Design Research, UNOVA led two projects. The first, in collaboration with the MOTUS lab and The University of Sydney; the second, with a large health provider from Singapore. The Motus lab investigates applications of digital humans in business & entertainment, and a large group of healthcare institutions.
Lastly, UNOVA partnered with the UNSW Business Insights Institute for the project Human Digital Twin to better manage the Human Resources strategies of a large company.
In total, the projects carried out during 2023 in the three core areas of Fintech, Smart Cities, and Operations management, signify UNOVA’s commitment to advancing translational research.
UNOVA involved four HDR students in its projects and its Executive Team published 19 papers in 2023 on topics related to its core themes. UNOVA’s goals for 2024 include strengthening UNSW’s profile in impactful translational research, continuing to establish ties with industry, attracting research funding, and achieving publications in high-ranking journals across various domains.