On September 2025, CABER hosted its first Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting, marking a key milestone in our commitment to aligning academic research with the needs of industry, government, and society. The meeting brought together a diverse group of professionals to reflect on CABER’s research direction and explore opportunities for collaboration and impact, and on a longer term, to help ensure that our research is addressing the right issues, aligned with sector priorities, and delivering meaningful impact.
The discussion was framed around CABER’s three research themes: Digital Built Environment; Sustainable Design, Materials and Building Performance; and Property and Land in a Changing World. Here are some of the key takeaways generated within a very interesting couple of hours:
Addressing Practical Barriers to Innovation
The panel broadly agreed that while CABER’s research themes are well chosen, there’s a need to focus more explicitly on the real-world barriers that prevent innovation from being adopted in practice. These include time and budget constraints, particularly at the client level, which often limit the ability to experiment or implement change. Overcoming these barriers requires not just technical solutions, but also a cultural shift—one that highlights the tangible benefits of innovation, including financial, environmental, and operational gains.
Emphasizing the Human and Social Dimensions
Several contributions underscored the importance of incorporating social science and interdisciplinary approaches into CABER’s work. Innovation in the built environment is not just about new technologies or materials—it’s about people. Understanding how to influence mindsets, engage stakeholders, and shift behaviours is essential for sustainable transformation. This includes considering the client perspective, the role of end users, and the broader societal context in which construction and development take place.
Providing Evidence for Policy and Practice
There was strong support for CABER’s role in generating evidence-based insights that can inform policy and industry standards. Topics such as whole life and embodied carbon, maintenance strategies, and climate resilience were highlighted as areas where research can have direct impact. The panel encouraged CABER to continue producing data and analysis that can support decision-making at both strategic and operational levels, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation.
Unlocking the Potential of Digital Innovation
Digital technologies, including AI and robotics, were discussed as promising tools to address challenges like the skills shortage and housing affordability. However, the panel cautioned that the success of these technologies depends on data quality, integrity, and accessibility. Effective information management, secure data storage, and open sharing practices are essential to ensure that digital innovation can be safely and meaningfully integrated into construction workflows.
Enhancing Research Impact
To increase the impact of CABER’s research, the panel proposed several strategies. These included developing short courses for industry professionals, integrating research with delivery mechanisms, and engaging with insurers and professional institutions to build the business case for innovation. Real-world case studies were also suggested as a way to ground research in practical contexts and demonstrate its relevance to current challenges.
Next Steps
Following this first meeting, CABER will continue to work closely with the IAP to ensure our research remains relevant, impactful, and responsive to the evolving challenges of the built environment.