Cruxes Innovation Turns Six

Research and innovation can enable just, sustainable and flourishing economies and societies.

This year, as we celebrate Cruxes Innovation’s sixth birthday, we’re shining a light on the people who make research impact possible from the inside out: the researcher development professionals, innovation program managers, and engagement and collaboration leads who make it their mission to create better pathways for researchers.

These are the changemakers working within universities, CRCs, Centres of Excellence and institutes, quietly and consistently building the scaffolding that supports researchers to connect, translate, and thrive. Without them, our programs wouldn’t exist. And more importantly, without them, thousands of researchers would be left without the support, coaching, and organisational frameworks needed to take their work further. 

The champions behind the scenes

We’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside these champions. Every Trek Program and Base Program we deliver, every cohort of impact-curious researchers we coach, every translation journey we support starts with a collaboration. Often initiated by one or two passionate internal advocates who see the need and make it happen.

They bring us in to complement their own strategic efforts. They co-design workshops, champion the importance of impact capability, and fight for the budgets and resources to make it all real.

It’s their belief in researchers and in building systems to support them that powers our work.

What we’ve built together

In 2025 alone, we’ve partnered with more than 17 universities and 15 research organisations and centres to design and deliver structured support for research translation, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement.

Each one of these initiatives was sparked by someone inside the system who saw what was possible.

We’re for systems thinkers and changemakers

As we look to 2026, we continue to grow not just as program designers and facilitators but as enablers, advisors, and architects of systemic change. We work with leaders, teams, and organisations who understand that building a high-performing, impact-focused research culture takes more than a single capability development program. It takes courageous champions and visionaries who have the tough conversations that span boundaries, hustle to acquire the necessary resources, and intentionally build mutually beneficial partnerships.

So, here’s to the people who make that possible.

You know who you are. We believe in you and we’re so grateful for you.

Thank you for letting us be part of your journey. We look forward to climbing up that next hill alongside you.

— The Cruxes Innovation Team.