Elsevier unveils groundbreaking analysis to guide strategic university-industry alignment and power South Australia’s economic transformation

Elsevier, a global leader in advanced information and decision support in science and healthcare, today announced the release of a landmark report mapping, for the first time, the alignment of university research strengths against the economic specializations of South Australia’s industry sectors.

The study, commissioned by Adelaide University, leverages Elsevier’s global analytical expertise to provide a robust, evidence-based framework for guiding investment and collaboration to drive innovation, productivity and sustainable growth across the state.

The report, ‘Strengthening South Australia’s Economy through Strategic Alignment Between Research and Industry’, introduces a new data-driven framework for stakeholders, integrating economic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics with advanced bibliometric analysis. This unique approach identifies where research and industry intersect, as well as untapped opportunities to maximise impact.

Elsevier’s analysis centers on Adelaide University’s five Signature Research Themes (SRTs) as focal points for academic-industry partnerships, each reflecting critical sectors for South Australia’s prosperity:

1. Agriculture, Food & Wine: South Australia’s agri-food ecosystem is globally competitive and strongly aligned with Adelaide University’s research, especially in agriculture and wine. Strategic opportunities remain in aquaculture, fisheries and food manufacturing, where targeted research investment could unlock new value.

2. Defence & National Security: South Australia’s defence, shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing sectors are reinforced by university expertise in engineering, AI and systems integration. Strengthening research engagement in shipbuilding, telecommunications and enabling defence sectors will be critical for future capability.

3. Sustainable Green Transition: The university’s leadership in water management, waste innovation and clean energy is closely aligned with South Australia’s ambitious renewable energy and net zero agenda. Further research focus in electricity, gas and hydrogen will accelerate the state’s green transformation.

4. Personal & Societal Health: Health care is the state’s largest and fastest-growing sector, with strong university–industry synergy in medical services, aged care and biomanufacturing. There is significant opportunity to deepen collaboration in hospital innovation and digital health.

5. Creative & Cultural: Adelaide’s status as a cultural hub is underpinned by university research and partnerships in digital creativity, design and cultural infrastructure. The report highlights the need to better capture non-traditional research outputs to further energise this sector.

The five SRTs are part of Adelaide University’s Research Strategy, which aims to accelerate at-scale research and its commercialisation.

A strategic tool for national impact

For policymakers, industry leaders, and research institutions across Australia, Elsevier’s report offers a clear, data-driven assessment of where research can most effectively fuel economic growth. This framework empowers stakeholders to make targeted investments, foster high-impact partnerships, and build innovation ecosystems that are both locally relevant and globally competitive. The insights and methodology detailed in the report and full analysis provide a blueprint for states and institutions seeking to maximise the social and economic return on research investment, translating academic excellence into broader national benefit. For more information on and to access ‘Strengthening South Australia’s Economy through Strategic Alignment Between Research and Industry’, please visit https://www.elsevier.com/promotions/adelaide-university-report.

Spokespersons’ quotes

Professor Anton PJ Middelberg FTSE FNAI, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research and Innovation, Adelaide University

“Elsevier has completed a challenging and new data-driven exercise on behalf of the University, joining disconnected data sets to provide actionable insights connecting economic activity with research capacity. It has been a privilege to partner with Elsevier to question how research capacity and economic activity connect. Through this report we can already see new ways focus our limited University resources toward driving greater economic impact and productivity through focused and collaborative research.”

Dr. Nick Fowler, Chief Academic Officer, Elsevier

“This landmark analysis demonstrates the power of systematic alignment between research strengths and industrial priorities. By integrating advanced analytics and evidence-based insights, Elsevier is proud to provide the strategic intelligence that can help drive South Australia’s economic transformation. Our findings underscore the unique interdisciplinary capabilities present in the region – spanning AI, engineering, health and creative industries – which are foundational for building a resilient and globally competitive economy. We are committed to delivering the evidence and insight that serve as engines of innovation, impact, and inclusive prosperity.”

About Adelaide University

Adelaide University is Australia’s new future-focused and global top 100 university created through the unification of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Built on 180 years of collective experience and achievement, it will deliver contemporary curriculum and reimagined research at scale to shape what’s next for a better world.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a global leader in advanced information and decision support. For over a century, we have been helping advance science and healthcare to advance human progress. We support academic and corporate research communities, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators across 170 countries in their vital work. We do this by delivering mission-critical insights and innovative solutions that combine trusted, evidence-based scientific and medical content with cutting-edge AI technologies to help impact makers achieve better outcomes. We champion inclusion and sustainability by embedding these values into our products and culture, working with the communities that we serve. The Elsevier Foundation supports research and health partnerships around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.elsevier.com and follow us on social media @ElsevierConnect.