January’s Gemini Call series takes the digital twin community on a world tour—from New Zealand’s national data standards to the UK’s government programme, Australian governance frameworks, and innovative applications protecting lives.
As we begin 2026, the Digital Twin Hub is proud to launch an international series of Gemini Calls that showcase how digital twin thinking is evolving across the globe. Throughout January, our community will hear from practitioners in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia, each bringing unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping our field.
The big picture: three emerging themes
Across all four sessions, we’re seeing consistent themes that transcend borders and sectors:
1. Foundations first: Data standards and governance matter most
Whether it’s Leroy Clarke discussing New Zealand’s “back to basics” approach to national data standards, or Shayne Whitehouse explaining why digital twins stall in “pilot purgatory” without governance frameworks, the message is clear: the unglamorous foundation work determines success.
The days of technology-first strategies are giving way to a more mature understanding that data quality, interoperability standards, and governance structures must be established before digital twins can deliver on their promises.
2. National-scale ambition meets local reality
From New Zealand’s cross-sector infrastructure standardisation to the UK’s National Digital Twin Programme, governments worldwide are pursuing ambitious national strategies. These sessions offer rare insights into what happens when national ambitions meet organisational realities, legacy systems, and diverse stakeholder needs.
3. Digital twins beyond infrastructure
Robert Walden’s presentation on securing dangerous drugs in veterinary work demonstrates how digital twin principles extend far beyond their traditional infrastructure and manufacturing domains. This innovative application shows technology serving human wellbeing, a powerful reminder that digital twins are tools for solving real problems, not ends in themselves.
The January Line-Up
Week 1: New Zealand’s National Data Approach
Tuesday 6th January | Leroy Clarke, LC Strategic Advantage
Leroy brings four years of frontline experience working with New Zealand’s water, transport, and health sectors. His presentation reveals the practical realities of developing and rolling out national data standards, the foundation work that determines whether digital twins deliver real value or become expensive disappointments.
Key insight: “The complete re-write and nationalised iterative approach is proving more effective than technology-first strategies.”
Week 2: UK’s National Digital Twin Programme
Tuesday 13th January | Alex Luck, Department of Business & Trade
A rare Q&A opportunity with the Programme Director leading the UK government’s centralised effort to grow national capability in digital twinning. This session moves beyond press releases to explore the practical reality of building national digital twin capability, the challenges, priorities, and trade-offs that don’t make it into official communications.
Key insight: Direct access to understand how government-led efforts align with industry needs.
Week 3: XD Thinking—Governance-First Framework
Tuesday 20th January | Shayne Whitehouse, UrbanTechplus
Shayne introduces XD Thinking, a governance-first framework spanning 2D policy through to 10D legacy and futures. Drawing from Brisbane 2032 Olympic precinct planning and federated twin deployments across Europe and Asia, this session reveals why governance at the core transforms digital twins from visualisation tools into whole-of-life platforms that deliver measurable outcomes.
Key insight: “Starting with governance, standards, and contracts—rather than technology—determines whether digital twins scale beyond pilot projects.”
Week 4: Digital Twins Protecting Lives
Tuesday 27th January | Robert Walden, Engineering the Blue Limited
An unexpected application of digital twin technology: safeguarding controlled substances and protecting veterinary professionals. This groundbreaking work, developed with the Royal Veterinary College, UCL, and Vets in Mind, demonstrates how connected devices and digital twin principles can address urgent workforce safety challenges.
Key insight: Technology serving human wellbeing, turning data collection into protective intervention.
Why This Series Matters
January’s international series isn’t just about showcasing what’s happening elsewhere, it’s about learning from different approaches to common challenges. Whether you’re grappling with data standardisation, seeking clarity on national policy direction, frustrated by pilots that won’t scale, or exploring new application domains, these sessions offer practical insights from practitioners who’ve been in the trenches.
The digital twin community continues to mature, and with it, our understanding of what makes digital twins successful. Hint: it’s rarely the technology itself.
Join the Conversation
All Gemini Calls take place Tuesdays at 10:30am GMT and are free for Digital Twin Hub community members. Can’t attend live? All sessions are recorded and available for continued learning.
The Gemini Call series connects the digital twin community every week, hosted by Digital Twin Hub | Connected Places Catapult.
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