Griffith University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Fugitive Traces: Reconstructing Yulluna experiences of the frontier. Focussing on oral histories held by a prominent Aboriginal family whose history is deeply enmeshed with the Qld Native Mounted Police, this project aims to consider family history in the broader context of colonial settlement and the complexities of frontier conflict. Through a collaboration of Indigenous peoples, archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, museum curators and educators, the expected outcome will be the first sustained history of a hitherto elusive Aboriginal experience of the frontier. In doing so it will provide fresh insights into a contentious period in Australia’s past. Its chief benefit will be to contribute in a practical way to reconciliation. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology The chief benefit of this project will be to contribute in a practical way to national reconciliation. Australia’s frontier history is complex and multi-layered. Talking about and understanding different viewpoints of this history is critical for reconciliation. This project will foster greater appreciation of the complexities of cross-cultural relationships between Aboriginal people and settlers, contributing to a better understanding of modern Australia. It will nurture a productive alliance between Aboriginal Traditional Owners, archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, and museum staff. It will create opportunities for the wider Australian community to engage with frontier histories and learn about Australia’s unique shared cultural history. The project will deliver long-lasting social and cultural benefits for the nation by generating accessible reconciliation opportunities for all Australians, promoting public understanding and community wellbeing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Art at a crossroads: Aboriginal responses to contact in northern Australia. This project aims to investigate historical Aboriginal responses to ‘contact’ with newcomers to their land. It will generate new knowledge using systematic recordings of rock art and bark paintings created during the last 400 years in western Arnhem Land. The analysis of these key visual first-hand records of Australia’s history, together with documentation from digital archives and other media, will lead to new ways of understanding Aboriginal history. Drawing on multiple forms of media, we will examine how Aboriginal people used graphic systems to navigate threats and opportunities in northern Australia, with the main benefit to Australia being a more comprehensive and inclusive written history. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology This research will raise awareness of rock art as a rare visual record of human history and experience and contribute to improved conservation and management outcomes. Importantly, this research aims to help build pride in Aboriginal history, heritage and culture both within local Aboriginal communities and across Australia by highlighting the lives, achievements and challenges faced by artists and their families in western Arnhem Land. This project aims to generate benefits for cultural heritage management programs, the Northern Territory tourism industry and school programs, as well as to provide new insights into the relationship between cultural heritage and Indigenous health and well-being. By generating and promoting this unique archive of Australia’s history, this research will speak to an international audience eager to learn from the Australian experience in order to better understand, interpret and protect their own cultural heritage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Developing an integrated device for on-farm detection of sugarcane diseases. Pathogenic organisms cause yield losses of more than $150M pa to the Australian sugarcane industry and many millions more worldwide. Partnering with Sugar Research Australia, this project aims to develop a novel on-farm diagnostic device, comprising new nanotechnology and magnetism-induced microfluidics with naked eye observation and electrochemical detection. This device is expected to enable improved disease management strategies through the prediction of potential risks and rapid and effective actions to mitigate impending yield loss. In turn productivity and sustainability of Australia’s sugar industry will be enhanced. The new platform device has great potential for improved disease management in other crops in Australia and globally. Field of research: 1001 - Agricultural Biotechnology Crop and plant diseases adversely affect the quality, nutrient content, and yield of agricultural products and impact the economic growth of the agricultural and food sector. These diseases also pose a significant risk to biosecurity, environment and biodiversity. This project aims to develop a novel, portable on-farm diagnostic device for the early, rapid and accurate detection of two major sugarcane diseases. Improving the speed and accuracy of the diagnostic methods can be highly beneficial for monitoring these diseases in the field at regular intervals, allowing treatment to be adjusted in a timely manner, and thus improving overall disease management strategies. The technology will bring enormous benefits to the Australian agricultural sector through rapid, accurate and early detection of plant diseases, thereby predicting potential risk and enabling appropriate strategies to mitigate the impending yield loss and maintains a steady productivity. This project will generate direct economic benefits through improved knowledge translation and commercialisation with our partner Sugar Research Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Manipulation of non-wetting droplets for cell culture. We have recently discovered an innovative and interdisciplinary approach for manipulating non-wetting droplets called “liquid marbles” as a platform for three-dimensional cell culture. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental physics underpinning the electrostatic handling concept of this platform technology. The project is expected to deliver an inexpensive but sophisticated cell culture platform that is well-suited for high-throughput drug screening and preparing cells for implantation therapy. Significant benefits for end users in pharmaceutical industry, life sciences research and hospitals are expected from the project and the application of the developed technology. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Genetic Basis of Variable Expression of Glycan Xeno-Autoantigens by Cattle. Meat and dairy products from cattle contain sugar structures (glycans) that are not made by humans. These structures can be recognised by the immune system and lead to allergic reactions, inflammation and potentially cancer. These non-human structures are called xeno-autoantigens or XAs. We have discovered individual cattle that do not produce one of these XAs. We will study the gene required to make XA in the XA-free cattle to find the underlying mutation. The same approach will be used to look for natural XA-free individuals in other food species. This knowledge may enable us to create a test to facilitate the natural breeding of non-GMO, XA-free livestock to benefit Australian primary producers and provide safer food for consumers. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics Meat and dairy products from cattle contain certain sugar structures that can be recognised by the immune system and may lead to allergic reactions, inflammation and potentially cancer. These non-human structures are called xeno-autoantigens or XAs. We have discovered individual cattle that do not produce one of these XAs. We will study the gene normally required to make this XA to discover why these cattle are naturally XA-free. A test based on this new intellectual property may allow breeders to produce naturally bred (non-GMO), XA-free cattle that will benefit Australian primary producers and also deliver safer food for consumers. We will also use the same basic approach to look for lack of XAs in other commercial food species. The closest analogy to this general approach and potential benefit is the development of the "A2 milk" product. Like our observation, cattle were identified that naturally produce only the A2 milk protein, instead of the potentially inflammatory A1 protein. Screening for A2 production generated dairy herds that produce this healthy and profitable (A2M: ASX) product.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The “New” Biochemistry of Polyamines: When Metabolic Pathways Collide. Basic biochemistry and the metabolic regulation of proliferation remain as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge in cell biology that have enabled breakthrough advances in biology and medicine. Polyamines are unique and ubiquitous low-Mr amines that play vital roles in many biological processes, including proliferation, DNA/RNA synthesis, etc. This proposal will mechanistically dissect the "new" biochemistry of polyamines, as we have discovered that polyamines are regulated by iron at 2-major levels, involving >10-key polyamine pathway proteins. This proposal represents first-in-field studies specifically designed to dissect mechanisms involved in this relationship. Our Central Hypothesis is that iron regulates polyamine metabolism. Field of research: 1101 - Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics This is basic science proposal that will mechanistically dissect the intricate biochemistry of polyamines and how they interact with other pathways vital for a plethora of processes. This is critical, and represents a "treasure trove" of biochemistry with vital implications for understanding the basic mechanisms of life eg., growth. Such knowledge is vital to dissect, as altered polyamine levels are involved in disease development and will enable innovative breakthroughs & commercial exploitation for designing new technologies. Indeed, CI Richardson strongly commercialises novel technologies into translatable products after dissecting mechanism (17 patents/3 patent suites). This proposal provides the training/mentoring of outstanding early-mid researchers for the Australian scientific workforce ie, PI Lane (49 Publs. with CI Richardson), PhD & Honours student. It also stimulates collaboration with outstanding international & national investigators, to fortify the strength of Australian science. Our proposal will contribute to the Australian National Science and Research Priority of "Health" (Section B1)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Minimising Human Efforts to Fight Fake News and Restore the Public Trust. Our modern society is struggling with an unprecedented amount of online fake news, which is recently driven by misused artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This project aims to build the first real-time system integrating algorithmic models and human validators to counter such falsehoods, especially those AI-fabricated false stories. This project expects to deliver a series of cost-effective and streaming methods empowering a Web-based observatory dashboard of fake news propagation. This achieves significant benefits for media organisations, governments, the public, and academia via timely alerts, data-journalism reports, and novel data visualisations of social media landscape to distinguish between legitimate and deceptive contents. Field of research: 0806 - Information Systems

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Controllable Synthesis of Defects in Catalysts for Electrocatalysis . This project aims to address the most critical issue of electrocatalysis: identification of active sites for carbon-based metal free catalysts (CMFCs). Through the development of new methodologies, this proposal will, for the first time, controllably synthesise the vacancy defects that are the major active sites for CMFCs. The expected outcomes from this project include in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of electrocatalysis: the reactivity of active sites and the catalytic performance with the number of active sites; which will not only significantly advance knowledge but also achieve breakthrough technologies that greatly benefit to the society and economy both for Australia and worldwide. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering Hydrogen energy is becoming a huge market, particularly since fuel cell vehicles were introduced into the market. It is expected that the market for fuel cells alone will exceed $100 billion by 2030. The outcomes of this project will lead to catalysts with sufficiently high activity to replace Pt and Ru in fuel cells; for hydrogen production from water; and to include in metal-air batteries. The wider use of environmentally friendly, clean energy will significantly reduce the current dependence on fossil fuels, thus reduce the air pollution and greenhouse emissions, improving quality of life and environmental sustainability. These catalysts and devices also have high commercialisation potential, which will bring huge benefit to the hydrogen energy industries of Australia. It will also contribute to the hydrogen export chain, announced by the Australian government as one of the Australian economic priorities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Aboriginal rock art and cultural heritage management in Cape York Peninsula. The Laura Sandstone Basin of Cape York Peninsula hosts one of the richest bodies of rock art in Australia and the world. It documents the life-ways of generations of Aboriginal Australians from their original settlement, through major environmental changes, to European invasion. This vast area, much of which is now jointly managed as National Parks by Traditional Owners, remains virtually unexplored archaeologically. This project aims to record this unique rock art so that its testimony remains for future generations. This will provide a framework for its sustainable management and findings will have profound implications for our understandings of the cultural behaviour and dispersal of the earliest modern humans to colonise Australia. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology This project aims to produce data of national scientific and social significance that will assist our understanding of the nature of Aboriginal settlement in northeastern Australia and the role of rock art in this process. This project aims to cement Australia as a world leader in rock art analysis and thus will have cultural benefits to the nation. This project intends to initiate and facilitate the development of a long-term strategic alliance between Aboriginal Traditional Owners, Ranger groups, researchers, and land managers. This collaborative partnership will greatly enhance and improve the promotion, conservation and management of cultural heritage in eastern Cape York Peninsula, thereby achieving long lasting national economic, environmental and social benefits. As part of the wider process of cross-cultural engagement and managing traditional lands through joint management and Ranger programs, the project aims to provide genuine economic, professional and social opportunities and benefits to Aboriginal participants, thereby promoting community well-being in a geographically remote area of Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Deep Learning Architecture with Context Adaptive Features for Image Parsing. This project aims to develop a novel deep learning network architecture with contextual adaptive features for image parsing that can improve the object detection accuracy in real-world applications. A number of innovative methods for deep learning, contextual features and network parameter selection will be developed and investigated. The impact of the proposed architecture and features will be improved object-detection accuracy and advances in deep learning network architecture for image parsing. The intended outcomes are deep learning network architecture, contextual feature extraction techniques and network parameter optimisation techniques for image parsing. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing Image parsing is one of the most important processes for many real-world digital imaging applications such as medical image analysis, surveillance systems and intelligent vehicle systems, so this project will have a huge impact on the Australian economy. The proposed approach will expand the knowledge base and research capability in image parsing and deep learning. The intended outcomes are new methods that will be employed in real-world industrial applications for object detection.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Youth Leadership and the Future of Peace and Security. This project aims to investigate the roles youth play in building inclusive and durable peace at local and international levels. It advances one of the first detailed studies of youth-led peacebuilding in three post-conflict contexts in order to generate new insights into best practice for including youth in peace and security policies. Expected outcomes contribute to growing global recognition of youth peace advocacy by providing richer understandings of how to support and empower youth in conflict-affected contexts. The project seeks to strengthen Australia’s leadership in peacebuilding initiatives and enhance policy efforts towards regional and global security and prosperity. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Prediction of new electrolytes for improved electrical energy storage. This project aims to identify new electrolyte solutions with suitable properties for use in improved electrical energy storage technologies. Identifying new electrolyte solutions is a crucial challenge for improving the performance of many technologies including energy storage. This project applies quantum mechanical calculation to develop a fast, accurate and predictive model of the properties of electrolyte solutions. High throughput computational screening based on this model can then identify new electrolytes that can be used in technologies such as energy storage. This should give Australia a competitive edge in the rapidly growing energy storage industry, while also accelerating the shift away from harmful fossil fuels. Field of research: 0307 - Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Persuading tourists to use fewer natural resources when on holidays. This project aims to bring sustainable reductions in resource use to mainstream tourism, one of the world’s largest, most resource-intensive sectors. The project challenges the view that pro-environmental attitudes are a pre-requisite for pro-environmental behaviours, and in doing so promotes redesigning social practices in accommodation to achieve greater sustainability outcomes. Using an experimental design, this project will provide empirical evidence on the efficacy of combining smart technology and interpersonal communication into a smart-service intervention to change guest resource use. The desired outcomes will be less resource consumption, greater guest satisfaction, and an evidence-based approach to a greener mainstream economy. Field of research: 1506 - Tourism This project contributes to Australia’s national interest by laying the theoretical foundation for a more sustainable service sector and empirically testing a means to combine economic growth, environmental sustainability (lower resource use) and social wellbeing within one of Australia so-called super growth industries, tourism. Current green economy initiatives focus on sectors such as energy and recycling, yet, the Reserve Bank of Australia (2017) lists the service sector as contributing more than 25% of the gross added value to our economy. This research will test ways of engaging consumers in significantly greener experiences, relying on much lower resource consumption and without impacting on their enjoyment or service satisfaction. The research will provide a blueprint for developing a mores sustainable economy based on a wellbeing approach. The findings will have implications for other service sectors in Australia, facilitating sustainable growth without impacting on consumer preferences.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Atomically Thin 3d Transition Metal Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The current industrial-scale hydrogen productions are reliant on high temperature steam reforming fossil fuels, consuming large quantity of energy and fossil resources, and emitting huge amounts of CO2. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful transition metal-based high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, enabling economically viable large-scale water electrolytic hydrogen production driven by renewable electricity. A theory-guided catalyst approach will be used to guide the efficient design and development of high performance electrocatalysts. The success of the project will lead to a suit of high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, leaping forward water electrolytic hydrogen production technology. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology This project takes the challenge to develop nonprecious material-based high performance electrocatalysts for hydrogen production via electrolytic water splitting. The project outcome will set a solid scientific foundation to enable the economically viable technologies for eco-friendly hydrogen production, which will bring considerable scientific and socioeconomic benefits to Australia. The proposed project is at the forefront of emerging cutting-edge catalysis science and nanotechnology. The success of the project will advance knowledge in these cutting-edge research fields and enhance Australian international reputation. This project directly addresses the Australian Government Science and Research Priorities: Energy - New clean energy sources and storage technologies that are efficient, cost-effective and reliable. The cutting-edge science and enabling technology developed through this project will add to Australian capability to meet the challenge of energy and environment sustainability, and provide solid benefits to Australian clean energy and chemical engineering industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Enhancing biopharmaceuticals: A disruptive bioseparation resin technology. This project aims to develop an innovative and disruptive platform technology for designing and manufacturing tailor-made high-performance bioseparation resins to enhance biopharmaceuticals manufacturing. Bacterial cell factories will be developed to enable biotechnological production of innovative polyester bead-based bioseparation resins, which will revolutionise manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. Expected outcomes of this project are cost-effective and strongly enhanced approaches for biopharmaceuticals recovery, thereby providing significant benefits to accelerate research and development in early stage discovery and manufacture of biologics, therapeutic proteins and vaccines. Field of research: 1003 - Industrial Biotechnology The efficient separation of high-value compounds, such as biologics, from complex mixtures (plasma or cell culture supernatant or cell lysates) is a crucial and costly step, and is increasingly thought to be a bottleneck in biotechnological production of biopharmaceuticals in Australia and world-wide. Australia’s biotechnology rates in the world top five. In 2017, Australia had 140 ASX listed life science companies with a total market capitalisation of >$50 billion. A total of 1,654 life science research organisations employed >200,000 people. It is anticipated that the global market for biologics and vaccines will double in the period 2014 to 2024 enabling Australia to capitalise upon this growth by developing innovative, highly competitive manufacturing processes implementing advanced bioseparation resins. The proposed bioseparation resin platform technology is therefore of great economic importance as it will advance life science research and biotechnological processes and support the fast developing Australian biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Everyday guardianship: A space time approach to crime prevention . This project aims to identify the temporal and spatial elements that influence the crime prevention actions of private citizens. Taking an interdisciplinary approach and applying a cutting edge methodology, it will be the first study to consider the capacity and availability of capable guardians and their intersection with the environmental contexts they frequent. The project intends to generate new knowledge on the resources needed to ensure individuals can effectively respond to problems when and where they occur. Given the enormous costs of crime to society, the expected outcomes of this project will lead to the development of economically efficient and practical community crime prevention programs that benefit the wider community. Field of research: 1602 - Criminology Crime prevention is a key priority for government and local communities. Successful community based crime prevention interventions depend on private citizens to effectively respond to crime and disorder in ways that benefit the broader community. Yet research on the factors that influence the crime prevention actions of the ordinary citizen is limited and studies have not considered how the dynamics of time and place encourage individuals' responses to crime. Using advanced methodologies, this project aims to identify the spatial and temporal influences of crime prevention actions for ordinary citizens. It is anticipated the findings from this research will provide an evidence base for the development of citizen focussed crime prevention strategies that reduce crime, enhance public safety and strengthen community cohesion. It is expected that this research will benefit a range of government and non-government actors concerned with developing best practice solutions to crime prevention and the creation of safe and inclusive communities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Adjudicating rights for a sustainable National Disability Insurance Scheme. The aim of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is to redress unfairness for disabled Australians. The sensitive question for government and citizens is how to determine what support is fair? The goal is support based on the perceived needs and choices of individuals. The government is additionally concerned to ensure financial sustainability by limiting expectations about reasonable and necessary support. This project will identify the dominant operating principles and debates concerning funded support, by analysing relevant frameworks, decisions, appeals and internal reviews. By taking an administrative justice perspective, it contributes to a critical debate about the values guiding funded support decisions and fairness outcomes. Field of research: 1605 - Policy and Administration This project will deliver social and economic benefits to Australia by resolving tensions between the financial sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the provision of reasonable and necessary supports for individuals with disability. The Australian Government currently faces a significant dilemma about how to allocate limited resources in a way that ensures the rights and entitlements of all Australians. Scheme officials and personnel urgently require clarity and consistency to improve their decision-making. Citizens with a disability, particularly those without advocacy support, require assurances that their rights are safeguarded within the Scheme. By enhancing the visibility and transparency of decision-making processes and priorities, and promoting informed public discussion, this project will contribute to making the National Disability Insurance Scheme a fair and sustainable scheme, and an international exemplar.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The expected development of new high performance catalysts for the production of renewable transportation fuels and sustainable chemical feedstocks will underpin commercially viable low carbon technologies using waste resources, and should provide significant benefits to Australian science, industry, and the environment. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) Catalysis is a key enabling technology, contributing $15 trillion to the global economy, and underpinning sustainable approaches to the food-energy-water nexus, environmental remediation, and mitigating climate change. The proposed research will provide new cheaper, energy efficient routes to renewable transportation fuels, sustainable chemicals, and high performance materials. The research will be of benefit to the Australian agricultural sector and emerging bioeconomy, stimulating new jobs and commercial opportunities, aligning with National Food Waste and Forest Industry strategies, and contributing to the resilience of Australia’s liquid fuel supply chains. This research will also broadly benefit the environment through the establishment of cleaner routes for chemical manufacture, which will reduce emissions of toxic waste water, atmospheric pollutants and carbon dioxide, directly impacting on quality of life.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Increasing the quality of goods donated to charities: Two field trials. This project aims to trial three social marketing programs using controlled field experiments in partnership with Queensland Government and the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations. Controlled community pilot programs are planned as a means to identify the effective program for implementation nation wide by charitable recycling organisations in Year 3 of the project. The planned research aims to increase the quality of goods donated to Australian charities. Increases in the quality of goods donated to Australian charities delivers cost savings that can in turn be used to provide essential services to support more Australians who are in need. Field of research: 1505 - Marketing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Re-evaluating climate adaptation principles for a more resilient Australia. This project aims to investigate the problem of how to increase Australia's resilience to adverse weather and climate events. Increasing weather and climate related risks pose new operational and strategic challenges for Australia and the rest of the world. This project will critically investigate how decision principles have evolved and are used by climate adaptation professionals globally and nationally. Using conceptual modelling and pre-mortem method, the project will construct a novel policy relevant framework applicable to the Australian context. Expected outcomes include providing a set of widely applicable adaptation principles to support decision-making towards a resilient Australia. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

A femtosecond laser micromachining facility for a wide range of materials. This project aims to establish a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser micromachining facility providing unparalleled advanced manufacturing capabilities for a wide range of materials to Australia’s research community. The facility’s unique capabilities, in particular rapid and precise machining, will create novel prototyping opportunities across the fields of micro/nanotechnology, material sciences and biomedical sciences. The instrument will also allow fast and precise prototyping of bulk materials. Anticipated outcomes include advanced materials manufacturing and prototype devices for unique applications in harsh environments. The proposed facility is expected to provide significant advances across a variety of research fields including but not limited to micro electromechanical systems, microfluidics, biomechanics, and it will also enhance multidisciplinary collaborations. Field of research: 0910 - Manufacturing Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

The environment and human origins in the Kalahari, South Africa. This project aims to test and expand on existing understandings of early modern human origins and human-environment interaction. South Africa has a rich archaeological record documenting the origins of our species. However, current research is biased toward coastal rockshelter sites. This project will expand the narrative of modern human origins away from the coast to investigate the distribution and success of early modern humans in the deep interior of the country. Through the excavation and dating of newly discovered deposits at Gamohana Hill North Rockshelter, archaeological materials analysis, and local studies of palaeohydrology, this study will generate a new record of early human-environment interaction. Its methods will inform the study of comparable sites in Australia. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

A Memory Powered Engine. Classical heat engines, such as petrol motors, convert thermal energy from hot gases into useful work, but with limited efficiency as much of the thermal energy is lost as waste heat. The project aims to combine experimental techniques in quantum information processing with recent theoretical developments in quantum thermodynamics to demonstrate a proof-of-concept heat engine that converts thermal energy into work with 100% efficiency. A heat engine of this kind would provide significant benefits to Australia with its potential to revolutionise how we store and use energy. The project will enable Griffith University to continue its pioneering role in developing this technology and to maintain long-term international collaborations. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Making complex interfaces work for the national disability insurance scheme. This project aims to examine how organisations, frontline workers and participants negotiate funded supports across the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and mainstream services and systems interfaces by taking a street-level perspective. The project intends to generate knowledge about self-governing arrangements and adaptive practices that encourage coordinated planning using case study methodology and novel digital research tools. Expected outcomes include the identification of optimal organisational approaches and models of sector governance that mobilise and embed interface efficiencies. This project should significantly benefit the sustainability of the NDIS and ensure the system works effectively for participants. Field of research: 1605 - Policy and Administration

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Intimidation and voice of research scientists. This project aims to identify factors regarding the incidence, severity and outcomes of the intimidation of scientists. Little is known about the nature or extent of intimidation of scientists or its impact on scientists, their voice or scientific progress. Using a major international survey and in-depth qualitative interviews, this project will identify interventions that can reduce the personal and social costs arising from the intimidation of scientists and increase their voice. In addition, the project will improve the theoretical and conceptual understanding of the relationships between scientists, society and scientific progress, including by reconsidering the Kuhnian model of science. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology