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Are you part of a standards committee working on critical technologies? Keen to broaden your knowledge of Australia’s interests and learn how to better influence outcomes?

We are offering a Tech Standards Training Program to help develop skills and knowledge in: 

  • negotiation
  • cultural intelligence
  • geopolitics.

We want Australia to be at the forefront of new technologies. That’s why we’re supporting Australian experts to develop high-quality international technical standards. Our goal is to shape how we develop and adopt new technologies. We want international standards for technologies on our List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest to reflect Australia’s interests and expertise. 

Training on different topics will be on offer until June 2026. You can apply at any time to join the program.

Upcoming training 

We’re running highly interactive online training sessions involving theory and practical components. Leading experts in their subject areas will run each workshop. 

The Geopolitics of International Standards 

This 2.5 hour seminar-style workshop will cover: 

  • the concept of geopolitics 
  • how geopolitical rivalry in technology is reshaping the international system 
  • an analytical framework to observe and understand how standards can be sources of geopolitical power 
  • discussion on how to preserve the core principles of standards setting.  

Advanced Negotiation for Standards Committees 

This one-day workshop will cover: 

  • the principles of influence in multi-party negotiations 
  • how to engage across cultural barriers, using the universal skills of influence, trust-building, coalition-building and negotiation 
  • a tailored case study, exercises and discussion of the specific challenges that standards makers encounter, and how best to apply these skills. 

Cultural Intelligence 

This 6-hour workshop will run over 2 days and cover: 

  • exploring one’s own and other cultural contexts, driving values and communication challenges   
  • strategies to maximise effective communication in international standards forums 
  • practising cultural competency skills in the virtual classroom  
  • guided group discussion with other Australian standards makers, linked to your own cultural experience. 

About the training providers 

  • The Australian National University (ANU)
    ANU scholars Professor Anthea Roberts and Dr Darren Lim will draw on their knowledge of the geopolitics of technology standards to deliver this training. They will offer Australian standards makers academically rigorous and multi-disciplinary views. This will help standards makers better understand their own work in the fast-changing geopolitical landscape.

    Dr Darren Lim is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations at ANU. He is the primary investigator on the research project ‘Standards-taking power in Southeast Asia’. He is working on topics such as the geoeconomics and geopolitics of critical technology standards, Australian economic statecraft and economic coercion.

    Professor Anthea Roberts is a professor at the School of Regulation and Global Governance at ANU. She was the primary investigator on the research project ‘The geoeconomics of critical technology standards in Southeast Asia’. She is working on issues about governing in complexity, including policymaking at the intersection of economics, security, social issues and the environment. 
  • Beasley Intercultural
    Beasley Intercultural work with public and private sector clients to create cultural capability and build global workforce development solutions. It helps clients be more effective when working in diverse and global workplaces. 

    Beasley Intercultural’s team will tailor the Cultural Intelligence workshops to members of international standards forums. Beasley’s specialists come from many backgrounds: cultural, professional and academic. 
  • Negotiation Partners
    Negotiation Partners are a diverse team with over 40 years of experience. Senior members Kath Murphy, Dr. Matt Lohmeyer and Mark Spatz coach and consult enterprise and government organisations in negotiation, persuasion and influencing. They work with teams in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. 

    Negotiation Partners has a range of outcome-focused training programs in their field of expertise. They cover areas including: negotiation, persuasion and influencing, effective communication, stakeholder management and trust-building.

Learn more or apply to join the training program

Read the program guidelines to find out if you are eligible. Applications are open at any time.
Read the guidelines

Security clearance for standards setters

Our Tech Standards Security Clearance Program also supports Australian experts setting international critical technology standards. We’re sponsoring and funding Australian Government security clearances to support classified information sharing between industry and government. This Program aims to broaden your situational awareness of tech standards development.

We have funding until June 2026 for security clearances. You can apply at any time to take part. 

More information

Read more about our work to shape critical technology standards
Read the Australian Government’s plan to be a world leader in designing, developing and using critical technologies