Building bridges between industry and academia: The enduring legacy of John Norrish

In a quiet corner of the University of Wollongong's Building 39, Emeritus Professor John Norrish recalls his first impression of the university back in 1995. "It was paradise," he says. For someone who had traversed continents and spent decades bridging the gap between industry and academia, finding an incredibly supportive senior management and excellent research team in Wollongong was an ideal environment.

A journey sparked by innovation

John's path to UOW began in an unlikely place: in the 1960’s as a student -apprentice in a large heavy engineering company in the industrial midlands, then known as the “Black Country” in the United Kingdom (UK). He made the pivotal decision to specialise in welding technology. It was an early career choice driven by practicality and one that would shape John’s entire professional journey.

"I originally qualified as a metallurgists, a very common choice in the UK at the time" he reflects. "But I decideded to specialise in welding technology to improve my employment prospects." After graduating with a Welding Technology masters degree he started his welding career with the leading international industrial gas and engineering company BOC.

That decision led to an unexpected adventure when BOC seconded him to Australia to work with their company CIG in 1981. With three young children in tow the Norrish family relocated to Brisbane for a three-year adventure.

With the family based in the city John worked as a consultant welding engineer for CIG in the mining sector in central Queensland. Little did he know that this first taste of Australia would eventually lead to a permanent home at UOW.

^{The University of Wollongong campus in the 1990s. Photo: UOW archives.}

Building bridges between industry and academia

After their initial stint in Australia, the Norrish family returned home so John could take up a position at Cranfield University in the UK. After a productive decade at Cranfield, which included the initial development of robotic welding additive manufacture in 1992. A call from his former boss at CIG brought John back to Australian shores – this time to take up a prestigious chair position at UOW sponsored by an Australian Government Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

The timing couldn't have been better. Under the leadership of then Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton, UOW was fostering an environment that perfectly aligned with John's vision of bridging industry and academia.

"The CRCs are a brilliant idea," John says. "They foster important collaboration between university, researchers, industry and end users. It enabled us to build up a first class team of  researchers and students."

This collaboration led to groundbreaking achievements, including work on the Bushmaster vehicle – an Australian-made troop carrier that would later prove crucial in international military operations. The project showcased UOW's capacity to deliver real-world solutions, combining innovative programming technology with practical applications.

He is keen to acknowledge that none of the many positive research outcomes would have been possible without the talented and hard working team that was built up using the CRC & DMTC resources.

^{Former Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton in 1998. Photo: UOW archives.}

A distinguished legacy in welding innovation

The conferral of Emeritus Professor status upon John’s retirement in 2012 recognised not just his 17 years of service to UOW, but his transformative impact on the welding industry worldwide. Being named an Emeritus Professor acknowledged John’s exceptional contribution to both the university and his field – a contribution that continues even in retirement as he mentors the next generation of researchers.

With more than 200 journal publications to his name, John's research output is as impressive as it is influential. His work has fundamentally reshaped understanding of welding processes, particularly in automated and robotic applications. His prolific publication record places him among the most cited researchers in his field – concrete evidence of how his insights have guided and inspired countless others. 

His lasting contribution to welding technology extends far beyond academic papers. At UOW, he was instrumental in developing a postgraduate course that became internationally recognised, eventually gaining approval from the International Institute of Welding.

^{John was named an Emeritus Professor in 2012. Photo: UOW.}

Innovation, impact, and community connection

What makes John's legacy particularly remarkable is how his work has touched multiple facets of both industry and community life. Far from being confined to traditional welding technology, his research has explored the intersection of robotics, workplace safety, and public health.

"Welding sounds really boring and, you know, it's dirty and can be hazardous, but it's actually more than that," he explains. "There is scope for multidiciplinary work in physics, chemistry, engineering and more recently things like machine learning and robotics. So it's never boring."

John and his colleagues’ commitment to community welfare is evident in his collaboration with the Illawarra Health district, where he conducted research on welders' health, particularly examining the potential link between welding fumes and Parkinson's disease.

“This work took place under the CRC which shows how vital it was in using the University’s expertise to address real-world challenges that affect local communities.”

The evolution of welding technology under John's guidance has been remarkable, particularly in the field of robotics. "Robotics are so attractive now because it remove people from a potentially hazardous environment," he says.

But John is quick to address common concerns about automation.

"People worry about loss of jobs, but it doesn't do that. You still need people. You need people at a higher level probably, so they need to learn newer skills."

Legacy and future vision

John’s tenure at UOW officially finished when he retired in 2012, however he is still intrinsically linked to the University through research connections and his ongoing supervision of PhD students.

It was a fruitful 17 years and looking back on his time at UOW, John's impact extends far beyond the realm of welding technology. His daughter Sally now works at the University as a professional staff member – a family connection that symbolises the deep roots he's established in the UOW community.

^{John would like to see the University continue to maintain connections with industry as it looks to the future. Photo: Paul Jones.}

Acknowledging the changing higher education landscape and challenges ahead for the University, John’s passion for practical innovation continues to influence his vision for UOW's future.

"I am a firm believer in industry connections," he says. "Universities and researchers must work with end users, whether industrial, health, or community. It keeps people's feet on the ground and fosters innovation."

John's journey exemplifies the University's role in transforming lives and fostering innovation over its 50-year history. As the university looks toward the future, his legacy reminds us that the most impactful achievements often come from combining practical experience with academic excellence – a philosophy that continues to guide UOW's mission today.