AAF featured in Science & Technology Australia’s Ideas to Impact video series

Trusted digital access is helping researchers tackle complex challenges across disciplines and borders. A new video from Science & Technology Australia (STA) explores the role that the AAF plays in enabling secure research collaboration across Australia’s research ecosystem. 

STA’s Ideas to Impact series showcases the people, infrastructure, technologies and ideas strengthening Australia’s science and technology capability. Through stories spanning research infrastructure, emerging technologies, innovation and workforce development, the series highlights how Australian research is being translated into real-world outcomes. 

Launched in Canberra during National Science Week 2026, the series features AAF alongside Microscopy Australia, AuScope, National Imaging Facility, Phenomics Australia, RMIT University and Eppendorf, highlighting the diverse capabilities that support Australia’s research and innovation ecosystem.  

AAF’s featured video explores how trusted digital access helps researchers securely connect to the data, services and infrastructure they need to collaborate across institutions and borders. 

Expert perspectives from across the research ecosystem were presented by Dr David Stockdale (The University of Queensland and AusCERT), Dr Aiden Price (Queensland University of Technology and AURIN), Dr Conrad Leonard (Australian BioCommons), alongside AAF CEO Heath Marks and Deputy CEO Margie Jantti. 

Trusted access for secure collaboration 

In the video, Dr Stockdale highlighted the value trusted access brings to researchers. 

“It means they can actually get on with their research and can share appropriately,” he said. “Researchers can collaborate with confidence in who they’re collaborating with.”

Dr Stockdale explained digital trust is a crucial part of ensuring research is safe and that “the risks increase if you have multiple systems and you don’t have a common method of access.”

Trusted access to sensitive data 

Showcasing examples from population health and genomics research, the film also demonstrates how trusted access supports researchers working with complex datasets and sensitive information. 

As Dr Leonard explained, “We’re really dealing with quite sensitive information here, and that’s why we need to be super careful about how access to it is controlled.” 

Trusted access for national impact 

While AAF often operates behind the scenes, its impact can be seen in the research it enables, helping institutions collaborate securely and at scale.

“Ideas become impact when researchers can collaborate with confidence,” said Mr Marks.

“STA’s video series highlights the organisations, infrastructure and expertise that help Australia’s research ecosystem thrive.

“We’re proud to provide the critical trusted digital infrastructure that enables researchers to work together securely and tackle complex challenges across disciplines and borders.”