Veracity Technology Mission – Calling for Expressions of Capability

The selected researchers are expected to attend a series of wholly on-line workshops between September and November 2020 together with Māori and industry/sector representatives to establish the team that will develop a Veracity Technology research proposal. 

The novel to New Zealand Concept-Knowledge (C-K) process for initiating disruptive science will be used throughout these workshops so applicants should be willing to engage with this new process. The Mission design process will conclude when a formal research proposal is submitted to the SfTI Board.

More information about the background of this Mission, eligibility, criteria and the EoC process can be found within the ‘Veracity Technology Expressions of Capability document’ and further down this page.

Veracity Technology EoC background

SfTI’s Veracity focus is on developing technology that enables New Zealand to prove we are delivering on our claims, and how exactly we can prove the truthfulness of the data, the people, and the place.

Discussions about the Veracity Technology Mission have revealed enthusiasm for this area of exploration, with potential benefits identified. In particular, there is recognition that such technology could:

• support New Zealand’s exporters to achieve ‘cut through‘ in crowded markets and attract premium prices for goods and services
• minimise opportunities for counterfeiting
• help consumers navigate the buying process safely
• help solve big global problems such as climate change
• maximise opportunities inherent in social movements such as online crowdsourcing.

Specific factors identified as important in developing a programme of research around Veracity Technology include:

1. Having an appreciation of the fundamentals of trust and veracity.
2. Understanding the context and need for veracity technology solutions.
3. Ensuring solutions are fit for purpose and future focussed.

Read more background information in the Veracity Technology Expressions of Capability document.

Eligibility

The purpose of the EoC is to identify and assemble researchers with relevant research expertise so that SfTI can form a ‘best’ national research team. We welcome applications from researchers at New Zealand based organisations. The EoC provides a summary of the process and what to expect.

Criteria

We are interested in the expertise and experience you will bring to the research team and to addressing the Veracity Technology Mission, for example, through your theoretical and methodological background, and/or experience in multi-disciplinary/collaborative teams. A willingness to participate in team formation, using the novel to New Zealand Concept-Knowledge (C-K) process for initiating disruptive science is critical.

See the application form for more information.

Please note, we do not accept investigator-led research ideas and proposals for the development of mission-led Spearhead projects.

Key dates and process

• Veracity Technology EoC released – Monday 20 July 2020
• EoC Applications close – Monday 17 August 2020
• EoC submission outcome confirmed, and Workshop invitations sent via email to researchers – Friday 28 August 2020
• Cycle 1 C-K Workshops* begin – mid-September 2020
• Cycle 2 C-K Workshops* begin – early-October 2020
• Cycle 3 C-K Workshops* begin – early-November 2020
• Veracity Technology Spearhead research proposal approved and project commences – from early-mid March 2021

* The CK process will have three cycles, with an average of two 90-minute and one 60-minute workshops per cycle.

Contact information

EoC applications to be emailed to: sftichallenge@callaghaninnovation.govt.nz

If you have any questions about the EoC process, email Rafaela Rabello, Research Fellow, University of Otago: rafaela.costacamoesrabello@otago.ac.nz

For all other questions relating to Veracity Technology, expertise and capability, email SfTI Leadership Team members:

• Bruce MacDonald: b.macdonald@auckland.ac.nz
• Stephen MacDonell: stephen.macdonell@aut.ac.nz

More information

• You can also find out more about the current Spearhead projects, and how we form our Spearhead projects.
• Further information on our plans for Phase two (Tranche two funding) are outlined in our Forward Strategy which can be read in either its summary, or full form as submitted to MBIE.