A key pillar of the SSEAC Strategy 2024–2029 is research excellence. The SSEAC Grand Challenges Program will enable SSEAC researchers to focus on areas where the University is well positioned to make a substantial contribution to major challenges confronting the region and the world. This approach aligns closely with the University’s Sydney in 2032 Strategy, a key aspiration of which is research excellence that “tackles the greatest challenges and contributes to the common good”.

Our Grand Challenge themes build on the multidisciplinary excellence of University of Sydney research teams that work in the region, tackling highly complex problems where solutions require a range of disciplinary perspectives. 

Themes

• Climate change resilience and the clean energy transition 
• Agricultural development and sustainable use of natural resources
• Healthy and resilient societies
• Digital transformation and AI
• Shared pasts and shared futures

Grand Challenge Champions

Our Grand Challenge Champions help advance the University of Sydney’s strategic engagement with Southeast Asia by fostering multidisciplinary research and academic leadership.