Greg Hearn

Greg Hearn is a Research Professor at QUT's School of Design within the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice. His work focuses on social and business dimensions of innovation adoption, particularly in advanced robotics and manufacturing. He leads research in the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub and is a Chief Investigator in the ARC Training Centre for Collaborative Robotics. With a PhD and BSc(Hons) from the University of Queensland, Hearn has extensive teaching experience across multiple disciplines including Communication, Media, and Management.

His research interests span creative industries policy, digital disruption, and the future of work. Notable publications include co-authored works on creative work pathways and knowledge economies. Hearn actively engages in executive education and has collaborated with government agencies and private sector entities.

Recent studies explore urban governance in virtual spaces (e.g., Metaverse), inclusive disaster communication through co-creative storytelling, and comparative analyses of creative industry networks in Brisbane/Shenzhen. He advises on topics like Industry 4.0 education and has contributed to policy discussions on remote work and urban planning post-pandemic.

Current initiatives include revitalizing urban industrial precincts and leveraging short-video platforms (e.g., Douyin) to bridge Australian food producers with Chinese consumers. Hearn’s work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical urban and industrial challenges.