The James Martin Institute is a NSW government and university creation

The James Martin Institute will bring universities and policymakers together to solve complex problems.

University of Western Sydney vice-chancellor Barney Glover.

A new think tank named for a former NSW premier will aim to solve difficult public policy challenges through collaborations of world-leading researchers, policy­­makers, academics, industry and community groups to transform public policymaking.

The James Martin Institute for Public Policy, launched on Monday, has been funded by the NSW government for $10m, matched in cash and kind collectively by the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University and the University of Technology Sydney.

Issues under consideration will include future jobs and empowering communities.

Institute chairwoman Patricia Azarias said the collaborative model was intended to “tap into the best each has to offer”.

NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes, Sydney University vice-chancellor Mark Scott, WSU VC Barney Glover and UTS VC Attila Brungs welcomed the launch. Professor Brungs said partnerships were needed as public policymaking was evolving to match society’s increasing complexity.