Robert Gorkin

Robert is an engineer and entrepreneur passionate about transforming innovative concepts to commercial reality with a focus on social good. He has navigated the academic-industry interface in Industry 4.0 across five continents, engaging with world-class institutes, global corporations, startups and non-for-profits.

His track record includes international grants awarded from both academic and commercial positions, contributing to over 100 publications/proceedings (2500+ citations), and direct involvement in disruptive startups leading to investment, products, sales, and community benefits.

Currently, Robert is an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong where he leads the team behind a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supported project developing revolutionary new condoms with a skin-like feel. In 2018, Robert cofounded Eudeamon.

Technologies in order to commercialize the condom work. Outside of UOW, he is the co-founder of the leading Australian Graphene solutions company, Imagine Intelligent Materials, where he manage Research Engagement.

In his various roles, he supports new education and business initiatives around the nexus of new technologies (IoT, VR/AR, Drones, Smart Materials, 3D/4D Printing, etc). He resides between the Australian Institute of Innovative Materials and iAccelerate – Wollongong’s premier incubator where as Researcher in Residence he is building links between entrepreneurial researchers and dynamic startups/SMEs and supports impact investing.