RMIT AWS Innovation Lab (RAIL)

The RMIT AWS Innovation Lab (RAIL) is a strategic collaboration between RMIT and Amazon Web Services (AWS) designed to accelerate translational research, innovation and industry engagement through advanced cloud technologies.

RAIL builds on the success of the RMIT Advanced Cloud Ecosystem (RACE), and strengthens RMIT’s capability to deliver cloud and AI-enabled research, prototypes and digital solutions. By combining cloud specialists, research subject experts, and structured innovation processes, the RAIL is designed to shorten the pathway from research concept to deployed solution. 

The RAIL provides researchers, students and partners with access to scalable AWS cloud and AI services, enhanced data capabilities, training opportunities and hands-on project support. 

RAIL Vision

To empower and accelerate users to solve real-world problems with cutting-edge cloud technologies.

What we offer

  • Access to scalable AWS cloud services
  • Structured project support from concept to deployed solution
  • Student internship opportunities
  • Hands-on training workshops and cloud innovation hackathons
  • Annual RMIT–AWS Innovation Showcase 

Key research areas

The RAIL will initially focus on four core research themes:

Digital Health

Connected Futures

Aerospace, Security and Resilience

Public Sector

How we work

RAIL sources high-impact research challenges through two pathways:

RAIL Merit Allocation Scheme

A competitive process to identify and prioritise research challenges from across RMIT's colleges, evaluated by senior academics and AWS specialists.

Bring Us Your Challenge

An open call for government, industry and not-for-profit partners to collaborate with RMIT on solving real-world problems using AWS cloud technologies.

People

Team

Dr  Robert Shen

Dr Robert Shen

Director, RAIL

 Chris Mano

Chris Mano

Account Executive Education, AWS

 Olivia Serna

Olivia Serna

Senior Customer Solutions Manager, AWS

Professor Mark Easton

Professor Mark Easton

Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Infrastructure

Advisory Committee Members

Chair

Professor Calum Drummond

Professor Calum Drummond

Deputy Vice-Chancellor R & I & Vice-Pres

Members

Professor Mark Easton

Professor Mark Easton

Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Infrastructure

Professor Karin Verspoor

Professor Karin Verspoor

Dean, School of Computing Technologies

 Diana Bowman

Diana Bowman

Dean, School of Law

Professor Matt Duckham

Professor Matt Duckham

Director, Enabling Impact Platform (Information in Society)

 Fiona Notley

Fiona Notley

Chief Operating Officer and Vice President

Dr Robert  Shen

Dr Robert Shen

Director, RACE

 Valerie  Singer

Valerie Singer

General Manager, Global Education, AWS

 Louise Stigwood

Louise Stigwood

Managing Director, ANZ Public Sector, AWS

 Kevin Bell

Kevin Bell

Head of Higher Education and Research, AWS

 Chris  Mano

Chris Mano

Account Executive Education, AWS

 Olivia Serna

Olivia Serna

Senior Customer Solutions Manager, AWS

Partnership

Powered by AWS logo.

Contact

Dr Robert Shen

Director, RAIL

rail@rmit.edu.au

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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