Griffith University

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Examining the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of a novel... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Seventh Assessment Cycle... Category: Climate Change

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Seventh Assessment Cycle... Category: Climate Change

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

2024 Equipment Grants Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

Reducing the Informal Vote in Queensland Elections Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

Reducing the Informal Vote in Queensland Elections Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

Optimising maternal and perinatal outcomes through a digital clinical... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

Bridging the science-service treatment gap for children and young people... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

Describing new species and conservationof Australian freshwater mussels Category: Scientific Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

BioMotionAi Precision clinical care for people with musculoskeletal pain Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Enabling new restorative treatments for spinal cord injury: a clinical... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Reducing the Informal Vote in Queensland Elections. Queensland's informal vote rate is not only high and rising, but in a pattern that defies explanation. In order to combat the problem of hundreds of thousands of wasted votes at every Queensland election we must first understand it. This collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Queensland addresses the problem at both state and local levels over 4 election periods using 6 distinct studies. Combining experimental data, aggregate-level data and individual-level data, the project will provide a thorough, multi-dimensional picture of informal voting. It will then propose remedies to be trialled and assessed. In sum, this project will represent the most complete and nuanced study of informality ever conducted in any Western democracy. Field of research: 4408 - Political Science Australia —and Queensland in particular —experiences high and rising rates of informal voting at every election. These wasted votes are undesirable because they compromise the central democratic values of inclusiveness, equality and legitimacy, depriving citizens of the representation they need. A key strategic objective of the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) is to reduce levels of informal votes, particularly in communities with high rates and also high numbers of young, disadvantaged and culturally and linguistically diverse electors. This project proposes to achieve just that. But first we must fully understand the nature of the problem in Queensland where the pattern of informality is atypical. This collaboration with the ECQ will produce knowledge of the patterns and sources of informal voting at both state and local Queensland elections. Combining 6 distinct yet inter-related studies over 4 elections, this will be the most ambitious, multi-dimensional study of informal voting ever conducted in an advanced democracy. The project will also develop test solutions for arresting the problem and thereby assist the ECQ in meeting its goal of reducing informal voting. Despite its Queensland focus, the study’s findings will be applicable to all Australian jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth, as well as other compulsory voting regimes around the world. This will enhance Australia’s reputation as one of the most inclusive and successful voting systems in the world.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Culture for Climate: the performing arts and eco-creative sustainability . This project will fill an urgent knowledge gap that is stalling the transition of Australia’s performing arts to environmental sustainability. We will determine how performing arts organisations can respond to the climate crisis using creative sustainability approaches in production and operational processes. Our project will deliver creative sustainability strategies that have been tested and proven in Australia’s performing arts sector, plus a framework for embedding sustainability goals in the National Cultural Policy. Australia’s performing arts sector has an appetite to transition to sustainability and to be leaders in meeting the challenges of climate change. This project will deliver tangible tools to fast-track this transition. Field of research: 3604 - Performing Arts The Australian Government aims to be Net Zero by 2050, with emissions reductions of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project aims to investigate strategies to enable Australia’s performing arts sector to adapt and contribute to this future reality. Despite the escalating climate crisis, the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the sector remain under-researched. It is vital to understand the significant leadership role that performing arts organisations can play in addressing climate change through the creative greening of their production and operational processes. This project will generate new knowledge and protocols that support this leadership, and will be a framework that can be scaled up to the cultural and creative industries as a whole. Project outcomes will also make a significant contribution to cultural policymaking, especially Australia’s next National Cultural Policy, in respect of embedding context-sensitive environmental sustainability goals. The research design directly responds to the challenge of knowledge translation. A practical case study approach links artistic creativity and environmental sustainability to support the agency of project partners and performing arts organisations to take the lead in the transition. The outcomes of the project will be promoted in the sector through a range of industry-accessible forums with national reach, hosted by Griffith University and supported by Partner Organisations PAC Australia and One Stone.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Carbon negative freshwater wetlands: novel pathways of carbon sequestration. Freshwater wetlands are a substantial source of methane emissions, contributing significantly to climate change. Under my leadership, it was discovered that contrary to expectations, freshwater wetlands dominated by “paperbark” trees (Melaleuca spp.) act as methane sinks rather than emissions sources.  This study will explore the hydrology, ecology and microbial communities that drive this unusual carbon pathway. The implications of these investigations are immense; the results will inform new Blue Carbon methodologies that could include low-emission freshwater wetlands. Additionally, it will support the discovery of methane-consuming microbes with the potential to create biotechnological solutions to reduce global methane emissions. Field of research: 4105 - Pollution and Contamination Australia is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030. Reductions will partially be achieved through nature-based solutions such as restoring “Blue Carbon” ecosystems, which include mangroves, saltmarsh, and seagrass. Nonetheless, wetlands dominated by Melaleuca spp., or paperbark swamps, have similar characteristics to established Blue Carbon ecosystems; they have high carbon sequestration rates and low or negative greenhouse gas emissions. This project will investigate the processes behind the unusual methane consumption in these wetlands. The implications of this discovery are immense as the area of paperbark wetlands in Australia is larger than that of mangroves and saltmarsh combined. The information from this project could support the development of new Blue Carbon methodologies, such as the restoration or protection of paperbark wetlands. New methodologies will fast-forward the Australian government’s pursuit to gain international recognition for high-quality and verifiable Blue Carbon. Moreover, finding new methane-consuming microbes could aid in creating biotechnological solutions. For instance, methane could be transformed into valuable chemicals through gas fermentation. Unravelling the mechanisms and microbial communities behind this surprising methane sink has the potential to transform Blue Carbon strategies and greatly enhance Australia’s pursuit to achieve its ambitious emission reduction goals by 2030.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Porous Electrode Design for Electrochemical Conversion of Captured CO2. Direct conversion of the captured CO2 in solution into valuable chemicals and fuels using an electrolyzer powered by renewable energy presents a promising advantage over the conventional energy-intensive CO2 capture and utilization approach. However, the electrolyzer is inefficient due to the low activity of the key electrode component. This project aims to improve the CO2 conversion efficiency by creating novel porous electrodes and optimized operation parameters. This improvement in electrolysis efficiency can revolutionize the disruptive CO2 capture and conversion technology, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to Australia's net-zero emission target. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia's pursuit of net-zero emissions and the need to meet rising energy demands necessitate the adoption of more CO2 capture and conversion systems. One innovative approach for meeting these objectives involves utilizing electricity generated from renewable sources to convert captured CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels. Although this approach holds great promise, it faces specific technological challenges. The first challenge pertains to the efficiency of chemical production, characterized by substantial energy losses at the reaction surface, specifically the electrode. The second challenge relates to the selectivity and durability of the electrode. This project has a primary goal of conceiving and deploying new electrodes that are efficient, dependable, and cost-effective. Successful completion of this project will result in a proof-of-concept for groundbreaking porous electrodes capable of achieving high-rate and stable electrochemical conversion of CO2 capture solution. These electrodes will be prepared for prototyping in collaboration with Australian partners. By achieving this, the project will significantly contribute to the advancement of cost-effective and environmentally friendly chemical fuel production, thus fostering both ecological and economic advantages. The outcomes can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the Australian Government to achieve its net-zero emission targets and its extensive investment in renewable energy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Resilient elections: How to Strengthen Our Democracies. Elections are at the heart of democracy. Yet the question of their resilience -the ability to overcome threats while effectively preserving and improving the integrity of the electoral process- is little understood. The project aims to evaluate electoral resilience by investigating how threats affect the three main election dimensions: participation, contestation, and organisation. Undertaking in-depth case studies in Australia, India, Indonesia, and the United States, and large-scale global quantitative analysis, expected outcomes include new theoretical insights into electoral resilience. Working with election stakeholders will enhance benefits, developing feasible measures and strategies to strengthen elections, and therefore democracy. Field of research: 4408 - Political Science Democratic elections cannot be taken for granted, as they face multiple increasing threats. Technological threats, utilising social media, have exacerbated the spread of disinformation. As Vladimir Putin’s ally Yevgeny Prigozhin (from the Wagner group) stated regarding the 2016 U.S. presidential election: ‘Gentlemen, we interfered, we are interfering, and we will interfere’. Societal threats can come from large-scale disruptive events, like the COVID-19 pandemic hindering the organisation of the election (eg. Queensland, 2020) and/or postponing it (eg. New Zealand, 2020). Environmental threats also impact elections, discouraging voter turnout (eg. Germany, 2013) or complicating it (eg. Lismore in NSW, 2022). Despite these threats increasing and intensifying across the world, we lack an understanding of how they interrelate and impact elections. The proposed project will address this by providing multi-country quantitative and qualitative data analysis on the features and effects of threats to electoral resilience. By working with stakeholders involved in elections, such as electoral commissions, political parties, and civil society, the project will offer specific strategies to mitigate and manage threats. Research outcomes will be disseminated via policy reports and briefs, case studies and media. By building the resilience of elections, and strengthening democracies, the research outcomes can provide social and economic benefit for Australia and internationally.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Pioneering Quantum Advantage for Distributed Precision Metrology. This project aims to enhance our ability to perform ultra-precise measurements. By using the methods of quantum physics, this project will develop the science behind implementing an interconnected ultra-sensitive measurement network. The research will focus on overcoming the challenges of sending quantum data across distances and using it to simultaneously process measurement information in various locations. Expected outcomes of this project include new quantum measurement techniques for distributed metrology applications. This project will ultimately lead to benefits such as improved environmental and infrastructure safety monitoring capabilities and contributions to Australia's technological advancement initiatives. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics Quantum physics studies the fundamental structure of our world. New technologies based on principles of quantum physics are shaping our information-based society. We are now entering an era where quantum methods are better at some tasks than any specialized classical tool. Performing accurate and precise measurements is essential for our daily lives. Quantum sensors provide unprecedented advantages in measurement precision compared to classical devices. The major technological ambition of this project is to link these quantum sensors into a single, ultra-sensitive, interconnected system. This type of information network will have wide-reaching applications, such as in environmental monitoring and searching for minerals using gravity surveys. This project focuses on developing the science and techniques for efficiently operating and transmitting quantum data – a cornerstone of this interconnected quantum system. The challenge lies in progressing from basic quantum measurements in controlled settings to implementing intricate, deep quantum techniques applicable in real-world scenarios. The benefits of this project are vast. It will lead to technological advancement, boosting Australia's national prestige. It also aligns with Australia's strategic goals in quantum technology, ensuring we remain at the forefront of this global race and progress towards technologies with tangible benefits for our environment, infrastructure, and economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Materials to cross gastrointestinal barrier and escape liver metabolism. This project aims to engineer advanced hybrid materials to cross the gut barrier and escape liver metabolism by utilising a novel multifunctional polymeric microcapsule to encapsulate and protect nanoparticles with tailored mechanical properties and bio-coating. It expects to generate significant new knowledge on the role of nanomaterial’s properties and bio-coating in its capability to go across intestinal wall and evade liver clearance, eventually leading to the development of advanced materials for targeted delivery via oral administration. Expected outcomes include patented technologies and next-generation oral delivery systems that are likely to benefit veterinary, food and pharmaceutical sectors where delivery technology is applied. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Innovative value-added materials are crucial for enhancing manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Australia possesses substantial expertise in value-added materials, including nanomaterials, and the application of nanotechnology in materials offers fresh prospects for these industries. Currently there are many bottlenecks to efficient oral delivery of bioactive materials. This project aims to generate fundamental understanding on how mechanical properties and bio-coating of nanoparticles affect their capability to cross the intestinal barrier and interact with liver metabolism, and develop next-generation micro-nano hybrid material systems for efficient oral targeted delivery applications. New knowledge and technology created will drive the advancement of oral delivery materials, bolstering Australia's competitiveness in value-added materials. This effort will open doors for Australian material industries, offering innovative technologies for various sectors like veterinary, food, and pharmaceuticals, where delivery technology is applied. The resulting education and skills development will empower these industries, enhancing national capabilities, global competitiveness, and generating new businesses and job opportunities

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Transport Equity For All. Over 4.4 million Australians with disabilities are subject to active and public transport discrimination. This project aims to co-develop with people with disability and transport planners, a practice framework and tools to better guide decision making and application of equity in transport planning. By doing so, this project’s co-created knowledge and practice methods would advance transport equity for people with disability in Australia. Creating fit-for-purpose transport systems founded on equity and justice that are inclusive, ecologically sound, and affordable, will lead to multiple benefits including improved social and economic participation and more sustainable safe resilient communities, cities, and regions. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning Better ways of planning transport to ensure it's fair and accessible for all Australians is a significant need. Transport is essential to everyday life yet remains the most reported form of discrimination experienced by Australian with disabilities. Every Australian will have an experience of disability in their lifetime, and transport equity is a way of ensuring access needs are met for the most disadvantaged to ensure same level of services for everyone. Problems persist due to little knowledge and practice know how, and gaps in existing national standards. Without fit-for-purpose knowledge to guide planners, applying equity in transport will remain inadequate. This research will work directly with Australian transport planners and people with disabilities to co-create new knowledge and practice tools, that will be freely available on public websites, public information hubs, professional bodies magazines, and through free professional seminars. Applying the new knowledge will inform better planning of transport for everyone, removal of barriers to social-economic participation, and creating fairer access and increased opportunities to work, education, health, recreation, and family/friends critical to everyday life. Inclusive fit-for-purpose transport systems will reduce spending on expensive disability transport support for some due to improved access to public and active transport, as well as lowering carbon emissions with mode shift and increase usage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Understanding the Collateral Consequences of Sex Offender Legislation . The fellowship aims to address a critical gap in our effort to prevent sexual reoffending. It investigates the unintended consequences of sex offender legislation on perpetrators as well as the harmful collateral impacts on their non-offending family members. It will analyse narratives of recidivism and desistance in Australian sex offenders and compare them to those from Norway and North America. The anticipated outcomes of this project will inform more effective responses to sexual offending by engaging those who have successfully desisted. This pioneering study of how sex offender legislation affects men, and their families will yield significant benefits for Australian society by preventing sexual recidivism and reducing harm. Field of research: 4402 - Criminology Sex offender legislation often has unintended consequences, affecting not only the offenders but also their non-offending family members. With little evidence to support current legislation’s efficacy in reducing reoffending or improving community safety, a significant gap remains in our efforts to prevent sexual offending. This fellowship aims to uncover the nature and extent of the far-reaching impact of these laws on both perpetrators and their families. The potential benefits are substantial, including reducing the economic burden on the justice system and mitigating the psycho-social impact on non-offending family members. Furthermore, its learnings will facilitate the social and cultural reintegration of offenders, fostering a more supportive environment for their rehabilitation. To maximise the impact of the research, the findings will be disseminated widely to policymakers, practitioners, and the public. By ensuring access to findings beyond academia, the project will inform effective strategies for enhancing community safety, contributing to a safer and more compassionate society for all Australians. This project aligns with key Commonwealth initiatives and contributes to the advancement of the National Office of Child Safety goals, ultimately striving to reduce the social, cultural, and economic burden of sexual offending in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Stretchable microfluidics for improved fluid and particle handling. This project aims to develop an unprecedented microfluidic platform technology that enables real-time and onsite control of microchannel geometry and dimension. The project expects to create a stretchable microfluidic platform for adaptable and versatile manipulation of fluids and particles, underpinning the development of next-generation miniaturised fluidic devices with applications in real-time health monitoring. Expected outcomes include the generation of new knowledge in advanced manufacturing of flexible devices and a proof-of-concept prototype for biomedicine and fisheries. This will significantly benefit Australia’s biomedical, pharmaceutical and fishing industries with cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering Microfluidic technologies are used in a broad range of applications, including medical diagnostics and therapeutic development. Their size, efficiency and cost-effectiveness overcome issues of the traditional manual lab processes; however, a lack of flexibility to accommodate a range of particle sizes has limited their development. Recent advances in soft material manufacturing and novel testing methods have provided necessary breakthroughs to develop a flexible technology platform with real-time shape-morphing microchannels. This project exploits elasticity to enable transport, manipulation, and characterisation of heterogeneous bioparticles from body fluids and environmental extracts. The versatile cell handling technique developed in this project will facilitate the development of more efficient disease diagnosis and production of therapeutic agents. The platform technology has applications in industries other than health, such as environmental monitoring of water quality; It can rapidly detect pollution risk and microbiota population changes, enabling faster response and intervention for improved environmental sustainability. Commercialisation of the technology in collaboration with national and international universities and industries, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and environmental agencies, will deliver cutting-edge technologies for many biomedical and environmental applications, providing significant health, environmental and economic benefits to Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

International virus regulation: a novel legal framework. COVID-19 highlighted the fragmented and poorly defined state of international virus regulation. This project aims to investigate the range of international institutions, structures, laws and stakeholders that regulate virus samples and viral genetic sequence data. The project expects to generate a comprehensive understanding of the international legal landscape and will recommend reforms to create a cohesive approach to international virus regulation. Expected outcomes include a robust legal framework to help stakeholders navigate the complex web of international laws about viruses. Benefits include improved access to viruses and viral genetic sequence data for scientists and the more equitable dissemination of the results of virus R&D. Field of research: 4803 - International and Comparative Law Viruses are not simply a threat to public health, they are also vital inputs to scientific research that aims to address some of Australia’s most pressing problems in food security, medicine and environmental management. The international rules around who can access virus samples and for what purposes are poorly understood and unsuited to the modern scientific research and development landscape. This project will develop a complete picture of how transactions with viruses are regulated at the international level and will use that information to develop international legal reforms and regulatory tools for policy and decision-makers. This research will also provide practical advice to help Australian scientists navigate a complex legal landscape when accessing and utilising viruses. This project will contribute to the development of more harmonious laws about viruses and ensure that Australian scientists can secure access to important virus samples and associated genetic sequence data to conduct scientific research important to Australia's interests, without the fear of infringing the laws of other countries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Harnessing creative heritage for migrant wellbeing in museums and libraries. This project investigates the use of novel cultural heritage preservation methods to support migrant wellbeing in Australian museums and libraries. Subject to forced migration, Ukrainian, Afghani, and Sri Lankan communities will re-story their lived experiences through music, engaging audiences and enhancing the relevance of case study collections for increasingly multicultural societies. The project will generate evidence on the impact of creative heritage methods on migrant wellbeing and produce an evidenced-based framework. Significant community benefits include increased public access to at-risk cultural heritage. The project’s reframing of heritage practice can assist industry in the pivot to future-focused heritage management. Field of research: 4302 - Heritage, Archive and Museum Studies Australia has become home to many diverse migrant groups forced to leave their homelands with significant implications for their wellbeing. This project seeks to improve the wellbeing of Ukrainian, Sri Lankan and Afghani communities in Australia by involving them in migration collections at Queensland Museum and State Library of Queensland. Participants will use heritage objects and community stories as the inspiration for new music using a process of ‘creative heritage’. Performances by migrant groups will amplify untold stories and invite new audiences to connect within museum and library spaces. The research will measure the impact on migrant wellbeing and produce a framework so other heritage institutions can apply this new method. By strengthening the voices of underrepresented communities within national heritage stories, this project will assist in maintaining the future relevance of Australian heritage collections. In trialling immersive tools, this project will help position Australia as a leader in creative solutions to present and future challenges faced by a rapidly changing heritage sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Beyond broadcasting: Community radio as a model community organisation. With 20,000 volunteers, almost six million weekly listeners, and 50 years of history, Australia has one of the most well-established community radio sectors in the world. Yet discussions about community radio are limited to debates about media. Community radio stations are diverse and community-engaged organisations, with much more to offer than just what's on air. This research aims to explore community radio as a model for successful, sustainable, and diverse community organisations. The findings of this project will help other community organisations improve their community connections and engagement, and articulate their value, which will contribute to re-engaging Australians in civic life. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies Community life in Australia was already on the decline before the pandemic. While many community organisations are struggling with low volunteer numbers and community engagement, community radio stations are going from strength to strength. Australia's community radio sector is one of the best in the world - representing diverse communities on 450 services around the country, powered by the work of more than 20,000 volunteers. There is an urgent need to encourage everyday people to get out into their communities and reinvigorate public life through service and volunteering, and community radio offers a sustainable and diverse model for doing just that. There is a lot to learn about how community radio stations provide value to their volunteers and stakeholders, and how they maintain such diverse and engaged communities. Working closely with sector peak bodies, this research will produce a toolkit for community organisations to apply the learnings of community radio to their own work which will contribute to more connected, engaged, and diverse community organisations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Designing and fabricating artificial blood cells for global shortages. This project aims to create the first biophysically accurate artificial blood cells through fabrication of novel synthetic particles that mimic the complex layers of red blood cells. Using innovative methods from engineering and biology, this project expects to advance biofabrication techniques for biosynthetic microparticles. Expected outcomes from this project include the development of a portable, cost-effective platform technology to immediately advance foundational understanding of cell membrane dynamics, interactions, and integrity. We anticipate that the new bioengineered blood product will provide significant future benefits for blood storage and transfusion, including potentially alleviating global blood shortages. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering If an individual loses too much blood during traumatic injury or surgery, blood transfusion is required for survival. Internationally, blood availability is challenged by severe stock shortages. Given no Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved alternative exists for blood transfusion, there is an essential need to innovate a technical solution. This project aims to bioengineer the first mechanically accurate artificial blood with synthetic particles that mimic the many complex layers found in human blood cells. Using innovative methods, this project is expected to generate foundational advances in biological fabrication techniques and membrane biophysics, that will inform new discoveries of cell membrane dynamics, interactions, and integrity. This novel platform technology, and associated cost-effective manufacturing device, are expected to provide significant benefits to Australia’s biomedical industry. Following future clinical trials (outside the scope of this project), this discovery may help alleviate global blood shortages, thus addressing international health and economic priorities.