What is commercialisation?

Technology commercialisation is one way of transferring creations to the broader community. This process is also called ‘technology transfer’ or ‘research translation’.

Other ways of transferring creations include:

• publishing research
• exchanging ideas at conferences
• forming relationships with industry
• sending educated students and trained staff into the workforce.

On this site we use the word 'commercialisation' to mean the licensing of creations. Creations are also called 'intellectual property', or 'IP'. We license IP to third parties, usually industry.

At the University, we have professionals to help guide you through this process.

Commercialisation is an important way to achieve impact from your research. Apart from contributions to academia, you can use your research to contribute to:

• the economy
• society
• culture
• national security
• public policy or services
• health
• the environment
• quality of life.

There are many reasons to get involved in commercialising your research. For example, you might want to:

• play a significant role in achieving impact from your research
• feel a sense of personal fulfilment
• achieve recognition and financial reward
• generate lab, department or centre funding
• meet the obligations of a research contract
• attract research sponsors
• create educational opportunities for students
• explore an alternative career to academia
• discover and lead new research ideas and directions
• link students to future job opportunities.