JCU Ideas Lab Our Purpose

Our Purpose

Welcome to the JCU Ideas Lab, a place of creation, connection and collaboration.

JCU Ideas Lab

The JCU Ideas Lab transforms the innovation ecosystem in Far North Queensland by enabling regional digital transformation. This will translate JCU’s teaching and research expertise into innovations that generate jobs and foster economic growth for Cairns and the broader region. The ultimate aim is to create products and processes with real commercial application that can drive economic growth and diversity for northern Australia.


Our Culture

At our very core, we are innovators who are driven by the goal of making a global impact through leveraging world-leading research and state-of-the-art technologies. Within this space we nurture a culture to:

Ideas lab culture infographic.

Meet the JCU Innovation Team

Dr Sam Horseman

Dr Samantha Horseman
JCU Innovation Facilitator; Chairperson, AI Consortium; Vice President, Australian Creative Electronics Society

Sam is leading HDR Innovation and Industry at James Cook University (JCU), where she connects academia, research development, and industry to create and support a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

With over 20 years of experience as an inventor, innovator, and entrepreneur at Aramco, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human-machine interface, artificial intelligence, and industry/business development across the JCU campuses.

Sam's mission is to develop exemplary researchers, next-gen innovators, and startup founders who can contribute to economic growth and job creation in the region.

She does this by designing and delivering solutions and programs such as the IMPACT 10X simulator, the Founders-in-Residence portfolio, the Venture Growth Consultancy, and the Lab 2 Market initiative.

Sam also shares her insights and learnings through publications and speaking engagements. She is proud to have a portfolio of 60 granted patents, 15 prototypes, 47 publications, and 25 local, regional, and global awards. She is also a board member and Director of the Cairns AI Hub, a platform that connects, promotes, and grows the capability of artificial intelligence across Queensland.

Get in contact with Sam: innovation@jcu.edu.au