Sydney recently played host to the EQUS Showcase, an event celebrating Australia’s quantum research and innovation and the conclusion of 14 years of Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) research efforts in Sydney. Held at the Sydney Opera House, the showcase brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and industry figures to reflect on the achievements of EQUS. “The Sydney Showcase events celebrated 14 years of EQUS’ breakthrough science, our transformative approach to translation and our wonderful quantum community. The University of Sydney’s support is integral to this success and we are excited about our new initiatives that will accelerate this impact” said EQUS Deputy Director, Dr John Bartholomew.
Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s former Chief Scientist, congratulated EQUS on their scientific achievements and national leadership that have been so important to grow the Australian quantum ecosystem. Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW’s Chief Scientist and Engineer, highlighted EQUS’ role in shaping the state’s quantum ecosystem and its future direction. As EQUS concluded at the end of May 2025, the showcase underscored the need for continued investment in quantum research and industry collaboration. Professor Anika Gauja said “The Centre has definitely delivered on its promise. It has been bold, outstanding and generous.”
Professor Stephen Bartlett, EQUS CI and Director of Sydney Nano, presented the impacts of training through Sydney Quantum Academy and FLiQC on the Australian quantum ecosystem. He also spoke to research translation’s role in adding to ecosystems through newly launched initiatives like Quantum Australia and start ups, such as Iceberg Quantum. Dr Kerstin Beer, EQUS Deborah Jin Fellow, discussed the cultural and engagement initiatives that have strengthened the quantum community and the event concluded with the much anticipated announcement from EQUS CI Professor David Reilly, launching Emergence Quantum, a new R&D quantum company, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to quantum innovation.


A key highlight of the multi-day event was the Quantum Futures session at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub at the University of Sydney, where Professor Andrew Doherty, a distinguished theoretical physicist at USYD, engaged in a deep-dive conversation with Ms Bernie Hobbs. Professor Doherty shared insights into his career, the evolving quantum landscape, and the balance between academia and industry.
The Quantum Futures Panel, moderated by Hobbs, further emphasised career pathways and choices within quantum physics, featuring Senior Quantum Scientists’ Cassandra Chua, Emergence Quantum and Claire Edmunds, Q-CTRL, as well as Sam Roberts who Leads Fault Tolerance at PsiQuantum. The discussion underscored the importance of fostering talent and opportunities to maintain Australia’s competitive edge in the global quantum ecosystem.


With USYD playing a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s quantum future, the event reaffirmed the USYD Quantum Science Group’s ambition to advance quantum science and technology.