Digital Frontiers Research Lab
Bridging Gaps, Building Futures.
Vision
“Bridging Gaps, Building Futures” defines our vision at the Digital Frontier Research Lab.
We aim to facilitate partnerships between researchers, organisations, government agencies and communities to generate societal impacts and address the challenges posed by new and emerging technologies.
Mission
Forge partnerships with local and global organisations to drive digital innovation.
Deliver tangible solutions through rigorous, evidence-based research to address societal challenges.
Foster collaboration among diverse experts from different Schools and Disciplines to leverage everyone's strength.
Showcase UNSW Business School's role in driving scientific and practical impacts.
Products and projects
The Lab has specific expertise in digital strategy, system development and prototyping, accessible design, inclusive AI, and the future of work in the digital age.
The products and solutions we deliver include but are not limited to (1) a roadmap for the end-users in implementing a digital strategy, (2) a proof-of-concept such as in the form of mock-ups, wireframe and even functional platforms, (3) the formalisation and dissemination of knowledge in various forms, such as case studies.
The Lab will embark on a range of existing, upcoming, and new projects in collaboration with local and international partners, on three themes:
Theme 1: Digital governance and organising
- Digital innovation ecosystems: Exploring knowledge creation and exchange in the innovation ecosystem of autonomous and electric vehicles
- Smart industry and solutions: Enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability by digital means through a partnership with an Indonesian local government, thereby improving food security
- Financial technology: Examining technological features of financial technologies such as buy now pay later to balance consumer convenience with financial wellbeing
Theme 2: Digital inclusion and accessibility
- Digital rights: Developing innovative healthcare solutions to address the unique challenges faced by stateless populations in Southeast Asia, promoting health equity and wellbeing
- Inclusive digital service design: Partnering with Australia’s local councils to enhance access to digital services, with a focus on communities with low digital literacy, including older Australians and low socioeconomic status groups
Theme 3: Digital ethics and regulations
- Digital regulations: Analysing ethical challenges in regulating digital technologies, including the use of GenAI in social networking sites and content censorship and control
- Ethical design of digital products: Exploring ethical considerations in the design and development of digital products and services, including user interface design and persuasive technology in education technologies
- Digital wellness: Exploring the unintended consequences of prolonged digital exposure, addressing phenomena such as technostress
Current projects
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Funded by the Campbelltown City Council and supported by UNSW Centre for Social Impact, this project develops a framework with actionable recommendations to better understand the nuances of digital exclusion within the LGA and subsequently enhance the design of the council's online services to ensure inclusivity for all residents.
From the council:
Thank you for the update and I am thrilled the project has come to fruition and been a success. It’s wonderful to be able to partner with organisations to deliver tangible community benefit. Well done to you and the team.
- Ex-Director City Governance
I am glad to learn that it has had a much greater impact for so many.
Let’s look to continue pursuing similar collaborations in future.- Campbelltown City Councillor
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Partnered with MyWam Sdn Bhd, Iskul Sama DiLaut Omadal, and UNSW UNOVA Hub, this project investigated the digital underclass, a vulnerable population that is not only digitally excluded but also digitally invisible.
Sample products
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Customer Experience Digital Uplift - Campbelltown City Council | UNSW Sydney
UNSW collaborated with the local council in bridging the digital literacy gap among residents, empowering them to engage more effectively with online e-government services.
Our people
- Founders
- Research Director
- Research Leads
- PhD / Masters Students
Industry partners
- AspireWorks Holdings Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab, Mongolia
- Campbelltown City Council, NSW Australia
- Iskul Sama DiLaut Omadal, Malaysia
