PODCAST · science
WoodChat
by WoodChat
WoodChat is a podcast produced by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA). We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au
Episodes
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Episode 45 - Women in Forestry: Dr Pene Mitchell
In this episode of WoodChat’s Women in Forestry series, Dr Penelope 'Pene' Mitchell shares the career journey that led her to forestry, wood science and sustainability. Pene reflects on the changing role of women across the sector, the progress she has witnessed and what organisations can do to...
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Episode 44 - From Data to Decisions: Revisiting how data and information are empowering the industry
How does data help shape the future of Australia's timber and wood products industry? In this episode of WoodChat, we explore the critical role data plays in supporting better decisions across the supply chain, from informing business investment and industry planning to strengthening policy,...
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Episode 43 - Women in Forestry: Tolita Davis-Angeles
In this episode of WoodChat's Women in Forestry series, we speak with Tolita Davis-Angeles, a Cobble-Cobble woman from the western Bunya Mountains in Queensland who grew up on Butchulla Country. As Chair of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Indigenous Working Group, Tolita shares her…
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Episode 42 - Framing the Future with the Future Framing Initiative
The Future Framing Initiative is the industry's blueprint for building more homes, faster, using modern methods of construction and lightweight timber framing. In Episode 42, we speak with two people who understand what it takes to move an industry forward. Ian Tyson spent a decade as CEO of...
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Episode 41 - Women in Forestry: Professor Tripti Singh
Episode 41 of WoodChat features Professor Tripti Singh, a globally recognised expert in timber durability and wood protection. With more than 20 years of experience leading collaborative, multi-million dollar research programs, Tripti has played a significant role in advancing how the industry...
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Episode 40 - Biophilia Revisited: Why timber workplaces feel different
Biophilia, biophilic design and timber buildings are back in focus in this episode of WoodChat, revisiting the theme of our very first episode from 2018. We explore how biophilia and biophilic workplace design use natural materials such as timber to support human wellbeing, reduce stress and...
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Episode 39 - Climate, Collaboration and Capability: an interview with AFWI’s Dr. Joseph Lawrence
In this episode, WoodChat speaks with Joseph Lawrence as he approaches one year leading Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI). Joseph discusses AFWI’s national strategy and how the institute’s work aligns closely with FWPA’s mission to strengthen Australia’s forest and wood products...
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Episode 38 - The power of genetics and genomics: a closer look
In this episode of WoodChat, we take a deeper look at how genetics is reshaping Australia’s forestry sector. Building on our FWPA article 'The power of genetics: growing stronger, more productive plantations', we explore the science and strategy behind improving forest stock, boosting yield and...
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Episode 37 - The importance of Codes & Standards for industry, economy and environment
Periodically, WoodChat places a focus on presenting the latest work around building safely in bushfire-prone areas, in particular highlighting the work of the Codes and Standards team. During this episode, we wanted to speak to Boris Iskra, National Manager Codes & Standards at Forest and Wood...
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Episode 36 - Australia, California & beyond: Building safely with timber in bushfire zones
At WoodChat, we explore a diverse array of forestry and timber-related topics. Some episodes have greater relevance to the Australian industry, while others have global significance. This episode is focused on bushfires. At the time of recording in January 2025, the catastrophic Los Angeles...
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Episode 35 - Feeding Trees: Essential Nutrition for Long-Term Forest Productivity
In the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast, listeners are invited to explore the transformative role of nutrition in enhancing forest productivity across Australia. This insightful episode features researcher John McGrath, who shares insights about three pivotal projects, with the potential...
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Episode 34 - How Data and Information Are Empowering The Forestry Industry
Explore FWPA's Statistics & Economics program by listening to the latest episode of our WoodChat podcast series. Join us as we chat with Dr Erick Hansnata, FWPA Statistics and Economics Program Manager, to gain insights into the organisation's newly enhanced Data Dashboard - an essential tool…
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Episode 33 - Working with Traditional Owners to build capacity in native forestry
WARNING - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this episode may contain the names or voices of deceased people. A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory led by...
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Episode 32 - Exciting times ahead as Centre for Timber Durability & Design Life enters new phase
In 2023, the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh. With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs,...
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Episode 31 - Protecting Australia's forests from the threat of exotic pests and diseases
This episode we take a focus on biosecurity. You’ll hear about three exciting research initiatives aimed at improving Australia’s protection measures to help mitigate the risks posed to our forests by exotic pests and diseases. Lucy Tran-Nguyen, GM of Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health...
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Episode 30 - Awards, VR & Drones ... ForestLearning takes students from classroom to forest! - Pt 2
Today we bring you the second part of our focus on the latest initiatives from the FWPA-supported ForestLearning program. Tune in for everything from ForestLearning resources that utilise the latest technologies, to award wins, outstanding feedback from kids and teachers, and much, much more!
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Episode 29 - ForestLearning continues to use latest tech to bring forestry to the classroom! - Pt 1
In today's episode, we focus on the latest achievements of the FWPA-supported ForestLearning initiative. And with so much exciting news to report - from new and highly innovative resources, to award wins, glowing testimonials from kids and teachers, the embracing of new technologies such as…
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Episode 28 - Creating a culture of smart manufacturing for wood products in Australia
During the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series, listeners will hear from two thriving Australian forest and wood products companies adopting smart manufacturing principles. Applying these principles during the wood processing stage brings a range of benefits, including increased...
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Episode 27 - Modelling the future to help minimise the impacts of bushfire events on forestry
In the face of a climate likely to become hotter and drier in the future, and with bushfires continuing to pose a significant threat, a variety of forestry-related research initiatives are currently underway across Australia. As an industry, forestry is particularly vulnerable to bushfire threat,...
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Episode 26 - Big tick for FWPA supported research centre to continue vital work
A hugely positive mid-term review of the FWPA-supported National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life has resulted in the extension of the Centre’s important research activities for a further five years, with the potential for three more. The latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast…
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Episode 25 - PhD scholarships supporting vital grower research, and boosting sector capacity
Discover how new research into priority areas identified by Australian forest growers will be addressed, thanks to six new PhD research scholarships at the University of Tasmania. The research projects were selected for funding by a working group of FWPA and forest grower members, known as the...
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Episode 24 - Showcasing Australian forestry’s environmental stewardship
Discover an approach that will enhance the Australian forestry industry’s sustainability credentials through improved use of natural resources. Learn more about a recently completed FWPA-commissioned report which lays out a series of sample ecosystem accounts for use by the forestry industry.…
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Episode 23 - How technology is being used to make Australian forests smarter
Take a deep dive into some exciting Australian projects focused on the fusion of forestry and technology to help shape and strengthen the forests of the future. Listeners are invited to discover how scientists are working to make smarter, healthier and more productive forests, utilising…
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Episode 22 - Future-proofing the forestry industry against the impact of bushfires
Listeners will hear about research efforts to increase the Australian timber industry’s bushfire preparedness, and capacity to minimise the adverse impacts of future fire events on forestry plantations.
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Episode 21 - Re-imagining the log and woodchip export supply chain for improved efficiencies
Listeners will hear about a research project that took an in-depth look at the various elements of Australia’s log and woodchip export supply chain, and how it can most effectively be managed. The team behind the comprehensive FWPA-supported study reviewed optimum conditions for logs during...
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Episode 20 - A digital forest? The future is coming!
In this episode we consider the potential for technologies to be installed permanently within forest environments, to inform better decision making and support optimal forest management. During the episode, listeners will hear about advanced technologies currently being used in Tasmania to…
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Episode 19 - Ensuring forestry continues to work in harmony with threatened Tasmanian species
The latest episode of our WoodChat podcast series takes a look at a new research project that is monitoring the impact of forestry activities on a number of iconic at-risk Tasmanian species, such as wedge-tailed eagles, masked owls, giant freshwater crayfish and Tasmanian devils. During the...
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Episode 18 - Supporting Indigenous communities in the NT to create a sustainable forestry industry
The latest episode of WoodChat focuses on a new research project investigating the potential for commercial Indigenous forestry in the Northern Territory’s East Arnhem Land. The goal of the research is to support and empower the Traditional Owners to facilitate a sustainable forest-based livelihood.
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Episode 17 - Boosting forestry knowledge amongst young online learners during COVID-19
This episode focuses on ForestLearning, a program of online learning options to educate children about the sustainable nature of forestry. The program includes various resources developed to enable school children to engage with and understand the world of forestry, and even pay virtual visits to...
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Episode 16 - New business models to inspire investment in trees on farms
This episode focuses on the development of new business models that could see areas of Australian farmland utilised for planting trees. A team of researchers have developed and tested a number of new business models for commercial tree plantations, which could yield mutual financial, social and...
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Episode 15 - New technology to predict wood quality in standing trees
This episode focuses on the development of new technology, allowing growers to easily and affordably assess wood quality across their resources. The researchers have been developing processes and tools that will support decision making around location and management, improving the quality of…
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Episode 14 - Building with wood in bushfire-prone areas
In this episode, we share best-practice methods on building with wood in bushfire-prone areas, with a focus on the important work FWPA is doing to provide resources for the construction industry and consumers about building resilient homes with timber. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts
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Ep 13 - Aussie researchers on global stage
Today we focus on the exciting takeaways of FWPA and other Australian representatives who were amongst the 2,500 scientists from 92 countries at the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress. Hear directly from attendees who travelled to Brazil for the congress…
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Ep 12 - Collaborating for pest detection across industries
In a unique collaboration, Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has joined forces with Australia’s other agriculture and horticulture industries to develop exciting new diagnostic technology. The latest episode of WoodChat focuses on the move, which has the potential to change and speed up…
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Ep 11 - How Virtual Reality is being used to launch forestry into the future
Fascinating new projects are seeking to bring the seemingly opposing worlds of Virtual Reality (VR) and forestry together. The latest episode of Forest and Wood Products Australia’s (FWPA) WoodChat podcast focuses on an initiative from the University of Tasmania demonstrating how field operators...
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Ep 10 - How forestry is preparing its future workforce
Ongoing evolution and rapid advancements in technology have led the forestry sector to take steps towards preparing current and future workers for the changing demands of the industry. The latest episode of Forest and Wood Products Australia’s (FWPA) WoodChat podcast focuses on initiatives that…
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Ep 9 - How electronic tags can enhance construction benefits of prefabricated timber
The advantages of prefabricated timber systems in construction are being given a boost by researchers trialing Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking technology to improve on-site processes. In this episode of WoodChat we speak to Perry Forsythe, Professor of Construction Management at…
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Ep 8 - Emerging Australian leaders discover global timber advancements
Engineering students from across Australia have been benefiting from exposure to the most up-to-the-minute technical developments and innovations in timber construction, thanks to support from Forest and Wood Products Australia. This week, we speak to a number of students for a rundown of their...
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Ep 7 - 3D printing using timber waste for high-performance construction material
New research is showing positive results when harnessing 3D printing technology to combine timber waste products and recycled plastics, and create a high-performance construction element. In this episode, Professor Sandra Löschke, Director of Architecture Design and Technology at the University…
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Ep 6 - The increasing use of drones in forest management
We explore the use of drones or ‘Unmanned Ariel Vehicles’ (UAVs) in forest management, speaking to Dr Christine Stone of NSW Department of Primary Industries and Rod Meynink of MBAC Consulting Group, who have put UAVs into action. The technology presents opportunities to detect animal habitats…
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Ep 5 - Advocating the environmental benefits of timber in construction
Hosts Sam and Victoria speak to David Rowlinson - Make It Wood Campaign Manager at Planet Ark about his initiative to educate and encourage the increased use of responsibly sourced timber in construction, due to the variety of compelling benefits when compared to other materials.
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Ep 4 - Revolutionising seedling selection using DNA
Episode 4 of WoodChat sees hosts Sam and Victoria talk to Robert Southerton, Managing Director at Gondwana Genomics about the genetic DNA testing system they developed. The world-leading technology can predict key commercial attributes of a future adult eucalyptus tree using just a single…
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Ep 3 - Research centre to put Australia at forefront of best practice
In this episode, we meet with distinguished international academic and leading industry figure, Professor Jeff Morrell of Oregon State University. We discuss, amongst other things, his recent appointment as Director of Australia’s National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, and what he...
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Ep 2 - Predicting future growing conditions with the click of a mouse
Forest managers will now be able to gauge the likely effect of the climate on growing conditions in their specific areas, thanks to a new interactive online tool developed by the CSIRO. In this episode of WoodChat, we talk to CSIRO Research Scientist, Dr Patrick Mitchell, about the revolutionary...
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Ep 1 - Wood & Wellbeing in the Workplace
Biophilia is the principle that exposure to nature increases human wellbeing. In this episode of WoodChat, we talk to Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer of the University of Canberra about research that suggests bringing biophilic elements such as wood into the workplace can boost employee...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
WoodChat is a podcast produced by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA). We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does WoodChat have?
WoodChat currently has 45 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is WoodChat about?
WoodChat is a podcast produced by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA). We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au
How often does WoodChat release new episodes?
WoodChat has 45 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to WoodChat?
You can listen to WoodChat on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts WoodChat?
WoodChat is created and hosted by WoodChat.
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