THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Intercultural protocols for sustainable human activity in outer space. This project undertakes important groundwork for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge in Australian space policy. The project is an intercultural collaboration guided by Yolngu (NE Arnhem Land) and Gumbaynggirr (mid north coast NSW) Custodians, songlines and creation stories, aiming to broaden understandings of outer space by identifying and supporting Aboriginal connections between space and life on earth. Guided by these connections, the project aims to develop intercultural guidelines for sustainable human activity in outer space to educate the public, industry stakeholders and policy-makers, and to contribute to culturally respectful and environmentally responsible space exploration. Field of research: 4406 - Human Geography The government has identified a need for policy consultation and development on the sustainability of human activity in outer space. A key government priority is embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge in its approach. To achieve this, deep intercultural collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is required to identify and share the wide-ranging contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge can make for all Australians. This project investigates how this knowledge might inform policy development for activity in outer space that is sustainable and respects the needs of communities across Australia in relation to the night sky. In collaboration with Aboriginal Elders and Custodians, this research aims to develop intercultural guidelines for outer space activity. The guidelines seek to provide practical advice for industry and policy stakeholders and serve as a reference for public education. Through a project website, Research, Industry and Policy Roundtable, and communication through the media, the project aims to share research findings with the public, industry and a policy-making audience. This will provide a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge to inform outer space policies in ways that ensure space activity is sustainable and respects longstanding and significant cultural connections to the sky and space.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Bioengineering Salt Tolerant Proteins: Crop Solutions from Wild Plants Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Performance Optimisation of Pulley Lagging in High Capacity Conveyors. Every bulk material (eg Iron Ore, Lithium, Copper) is transported by belt conveyor at some point during production. As global demand for bulk materials increases, conveyor drive systems are failing at an increasing rate. These failures result in lost production, high costs, and contribute to 80,000 tonnes of rubber waste each year. This project aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of conveyor drive systems by studying the friction, wear, and fatigue of drive pulley lagging materials, and developing new design methods to reduce failures. The outcomes will improve productivity and sustainability of material handling, and be translated into new International design standards through existing channels. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering Australia’s economic wealth is driven by resource-based industries, particularly mining and energy. In 2023, the resources sector contributed $455b in export revenue to the Australian economy or 66% of the total exports. As global demand for bulk materials increases exponentially (900% for Lithium by 2040, 200% for Copper by 2040), efficiency improvements across material handling and transport chains are critical. One integral area for improvement is belt conveyor design. Every ton of bulk material, such as Iron Ore and Copper, is transported via belt conveyor at some stage in its production, with more than 50% of mines having 25 to 100 km of belt conveyors within them. But the current design of belt conveyors is outdated, cannot meet the required demand, and have high failure rates of its constituent pulleys, lagging and belts, resulting in considerable production downtime, high costs, and excessive rubber waste (up to 80,000 tonnes every year). This project develops a new model for conveyor drive system design, replacing the current industry standard from 1769. This model focuses on the three primary sources of failure; traction, fatigue and wear, using verified experimental data to optimise drive design. Outcomes of the research will be translated to industry through short courses and industry-based conferences, prior to being integrated into conveyor design standards.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

An enhanced stochastic approach for discontinuity shear strength. The aim of this project is to produce the design tool that industry lacks to adequately assess the strength of large in-situ rock discontinuities and the stability of rock masses. Such a strength estimate is essential for civil infrastructure projects, the resource sector, and the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, all sizeable parts of the economy. The renewable energy sector is particularly critical for achieving net zero. The project will produce new knowledge on three key aspects of rock discontinuity behaviour, new engineering models and a validated design tool. With its clearly defined pathway for industry uptake and training, the project will benefit practitioners, asset owners, and users. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy To achieve net zero, Australia needs not only to produce renewable energy but also, and most importantly, to store energy. Pumped hydro energy schemes (PHESs) are emerging as an efficient nationwide solution for energy storage. With many components of PHESs built in or on rock masses (e.g. Snowy Hydro and the Genex project), PHESs are particularly exposed to the risk of rock instability. Rock masses can be unstable due to natural defects and cracks, formed during geological times, which can weaken the rock mass and exacerbate instability. Rock failure also poses a serious risk for civil infrastructure such as tunnels, dams, and rock cuttings, and for the resource sector. The project will develop a design tool that can predict the shear strength of large discontinuities helping to assess and ensure rock stability. By combining the latest research developments in rock-discontinuity mechanics with practical engineering the project will help design safer and more cost-effective infrastructure and resource projects such as tunnels, caverns, rock cuttings, dam foundations, and transmission lines. Annual savings are likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Workshops and industry-focused training will be deployed to facilitate translation of this new design tool to the profession, and adoption by practitioners.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Error correction for free-space quantum communications Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Homelessness and Climate Change Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Balancing the burden and responsibility of fertility between women and... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Transformative synergies: Using Learning Health Systems for Chronic... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Fingerprinting the Eemian as an analogue for future climate change Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Nonlinear topology optimisation for stretchable mechanical structures Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A new framework for decision making under internal and external demands Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Theory-based solutions for the pervasive problem of response bias Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Forest restoration for equitable carbon and biodiversity markets Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

My Mother's Polio: Australian Experiences of Poliomyelitis, 1950s to 1960s. This project will reveal the health and illness experience of poliomyelitis (polio) in Australia in the mid-twentieth century, especially for families, and with attention to regional histories. Polio’s grim history remains largely hidden from narratives of Australian life in the postwar period. This research aims to model historical research into the common and divergent experiences of illness by using collections of oral memories of polio alongside archival records such as welfare organisational records, published and unpublished memoir, fiction, and medical writing. Drawing valuable connections between cultural and historical collections held in libraries, archives, and museums, it will raise awareness of the public memory of polio. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies This project uses existing oral history recordings held in libraries and repositories, combined with a range of archival records, medical writing and public health data, to expand our historical understanding of Australia’s experience of poliomyelitis (polio). The new knowledge produced by this research is valuable and relevant as polio makes a return in some places in the world: it will remind us how virulent polio was, and of its effects on members of our present aged population living with post-polio illness. Polio affected thousands of people in Australia between 1950 and 1970. The project will help to explain the impact of polio on families during major outbreaks of infection. Australia's health system can learn from the social and community responses to polio before vaccines took effect in the mid-twentieth century and led to the end of polio in Australia. For example, research into the extent of our public memory of polio, and events such as the past public health promotion of the Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) from 1967, are important to current vaccination debates. This research will benefit students, researchers, medical professionals and the public through peer-reviewed research articles, an edited book collection, a Polio Archive Mapping Site to make historical memories of polio accessible via digital humanities techniques, and PhD research into public health measures and vaccination promotion in the 1950s and 60s.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Is bad stronger than good when it comes to youth experiences in sport? . “Bad is stronger than good” reflects a broader psychological phenomenon where negative events or experiences have a stronger impact on individuals than positive ones. This concept has been explored in various contexts, including education, relationships, and media consumption. This innovative project aims to investigate this phenomena in the context of youth sport and explore strategies used by sport coaches that may support or thwart young people’s wellbeing. Expected outcomes of this multidisciplinary project include a tool for measuring the observable characteristics of sport that influence wellbeing. It will also generate new knowledge to inform international guidelines about how to ‘optimise’ sport to enhance wellbeing in youth. Field of research: 3901 - Curriculum and Pedagogy This research has been designed to understand the observable characteristics of community sport that may optimise or undermine adolescents’ wellbeing. More specifically, this study will explore whether and how supportive (i.e., good) and unsupportive (i.e., bad) coach behaviours affect adolescents’ wellbeing and sport dropout. This project will involve the development of a new measure for observing coach behaviours that support and thwart wellbeing in the context of community sport. This research will have social and economic benefits for Australia by generating new knowledge that may be used to improve adolescents’ experiences in community sport and reducing the substantial costs associated with physical inactivity and poor wellbeing. A range of strategies will be used to maximise the reach of the project findings beyond academia. These include publications in open access journals, a public forum held at the University of Newcastle, media articles, animated videos designed for social media dissemination, and regular presentations. Non-government and government stakeholders (e.g., Australian Sports Commission) will be invited to contribute to the development of a brief video-based coaching module for community coaches that will be disseminated using the purpose-built learning management system based in the Centre for Active Living and Learning at the University of Newcastle.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Fingerprinting the Eemian as an analogue for future climate change. The Eemian interglacial (ca. 120,000 years ago) serves as a key analogue for current and future warming, offering valuable insights into how the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), a major rainfall driver of the South Pacific, may respond to future climate changes. This project will analyse cave stalagmites to generate high-resolution records of past rainfall and sea levels during the Eemian, paired with advanced climate modeling, to reveal how the SPCZ behaved during past warming events. The outcomes will improve our understanding of the impacts of rising temperatures and sea levels, helping to enhance disaster preparedness and climate resilience for Australia and its South Pacific neighbours. Field of research: 3709 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) is the largest band of intense rainfall in the southern hemisphere, shaping weather patterns and ecosystems across Australia and the Pacific Islands. Understanding and predicting its behaviour in the face of climate change is challenging because current models perform poorly in tropical regions. This project addresses this knowledge gap by using stalagmites from caves to reconstruct rainfall patterns during the Eemian (the unusually warm period between the last two ice ages). This will provide a unique window into how the SPCZ behaved under naturally warmer conditions. By combining these insights with climate modeling, the project aims to improve future projections of SPCZ behaviour in a warming world, enhancing disaster preparedness and climate resilience. The team will collaborate with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to ensure the findings inform policy and help vulnerable communities in Australia and the South. The research outcomes will assist in improving disaster management, agriculture, and coastal infrastructure resilience, potentially reducing costs associated with extreme weather events. It will also support ecosystem protection and promote sustainable resource management. Through open access resources and targeted outreach, this project will ensure equitable access to climate knowledge, empowering communities to adapt and take proactive action.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Error correction for free-space quantum communications. The advent of 6G technology is set to revolutionize wireless telecommunications with unprecedented speed, latency, and connectivity. However, the increased reach, integration into critical infrastructure, and extensive data collection pose significant security threats. By integrating quantum communications into future networks, we can create a secure communication infrastructure capable of withstanding current and future cyber threats, even those from quantum computers. This project will contribute to making these quantum communication systems a reality, by designing novel error correction coding techniques to correct the significant errors caused by free-space atmospheric scattering, absorption, turbulence and interference. Field of research: 4613 - Theory of Computation Data security is becoming more of a key concern as we generate and share more and more data and use that data to perform ever more critical tasks. At the same time, recent advances in quantum computing are threatening to break most of our go-to data encryption algorithms. A solution is to turn quantum effects to our advantage. Quantum communication enables ultra-secure information exchange as it avoids the vulnerability to weak random numbers and quantum-computing brute force attacks that threaten the security of current state-of-the art cryptography. Recent advances in satellite technology have demonstrated that quantum communication is possible between low earth orbit satellites and the ground. However, the satellite channel suffers from very high error rates caused by light scattering, absorption, turbulence and interference, making current systems impractical for real-world communications. This project aims to create new error correction methods to enable quantum communications over satellite networks. This will allow quantum security to be deployed alongside future wireless 6G networks, to facilitate inherently secure cryptography, safeguarding our information against current and future cyber threats, including those from quantum computers. Project outcomes will be disseminated internationally through publication and conference presentation. Existing industry and international collaborations will assist in expanding the impact of project results and commercial adoption.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Theory-based solutions for the pervasive problem of response bias. Self-report data inform basic research and applied studies across many fields including psychology, economics, and medicine. Response bias poses a fundamental problem: what different people mean by "strongly agree" is not the same. This project aims to develop psychological theory to understand and measure response biases in self-report. By understanding the decision-making process that converts internal states into external responses, this approach identifies biases directly from data without relying on assumptions about response styles. This advance is significant for improving the truthfulness of self-report data, while also providing a theoretical understanding of how people use think about and communicate their internal preferences. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology Self-response surveys are a key tool in psychological, economic, and social research and can provide insights into human thoughts and feelings. Important decisions in health, business, and public policy rely on self-response survey data to measure internal attitudes and preferences, but response bias distorts the results. Response biases are things such as how different people interpret words like "Strongly Agree". This research aims to develop a deeper understanding of self-reports based on a mathematical model of human decision making. This will improve the reliability of research across multiple fields, with clear paths to direct impact on policy. For Australians, this means a potential for better evidence-based policy choices in business, healthcare, and public decision-making, based on more accurate data. The benefits extend to industries such as health, economics, and consumer research, where precise insights into people’s preferences and behaviours can lead to improved decision-making. To maximise impact, we have developed a clear pathway for promoting our findings beyond academia, including working to de-bias and improve self-report measures which are regularly used to inform policy. Our project will produce easy-to-use software tools and provide training materials and workshops targeted at a very general audience.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Bioengineering Salt Tolerant Proteins: Crop Solutions from Wild Plants. Salinity affects 30% of global agricultural land, with climate change exacerbating the issue and leaving many crops unproductive. Wild plants like Salicornia (Samphire), which thrive in salty environments, provide valuable insights into building crop resilience. This project focuses on understanding how Salicornia protects its protein production machinery under high salinity, particularly through a newly identified RNA-binding protein. By uncovering these unique mechanisms, we aim to bioengineer salt tolerance into crops. The outcomes could enable sustainable farming on degraded lands, allow irrigation with saline water, and provide high-value crop options for farmers, addressing both economic and environmental challenges. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology Salinity is a growing challenge in Australian agriculture, reducing usable farmland and threatening food production. Climate change is causing freshwater shortages and expanding land and water salinity, making it harder to grow essential crops. This not only affects farm profitability but also the mental health of farmers who are struggling with these challenges. This research aims to develop technology to build resilience into the DNA of high-value food crops, allowing farmers to maintain productivity and future-proof Australian agriculture. Next generation technologies will harness the natural tolerance of salt-thriving plants to equip high-value horticultural crops with the ability to withstand salinity, increasing crop yields, securing Australia’s food supply as well as developing its export potential. This will boost the national economy by making productive use of land that is currently too salty for farming and create opportunities to repurpose unused saline water from the Murray-Darling Basin. It will support industry through partnerships with grower groups, Hort Innovation and private enterprises and outcomes will be promoted through targeted media engagement. This research will support sustainable land use, ensuring that even degraded and marginal lands contribute to food production. By investing in resilience today, we can secure a stable and sustainable food future for generations to come.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Advanced Geotechnical Strategies for Safeguarding Coastal Cliffs. The project aims to integrate advanced slope monitoring and ocean measurements using experimental and numerical methods to advance understanding of coastal cliff processes and forecast retreat rates under climate change. The intended outcome is a framework to quantify and predict coastal cliff hazards and retreat rates with variability in geological, structural, weather and ocean conditions. This research is crucial and timely, given recent impacts on infrastructure, properties and public safety along Australia’s densely populated coasts, resulting in substantial economic costs. The goal of the project is to enable practitioners and governments to enhance community safety by proactively informing mitigation and control designs. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering The Australian east coastline features spectacular cliffs and headlands that are constantly changing and undergoing erosion. The predicted increase in frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events and sea level rise in the coming years will further expose coastal communities to rock instabilities and erosion. While a natural process, it is not well understood how cliff erosion, rock collapses, and the removal of rock debris aprons by ocean waves interact to shape the coastline, especially along the sedimentary rock cliffs of central New South Wales. The project will develop a comprehensive framework to predict how coastal rock cliffs erode and retreat over time, focusing on how rock debris aprons at the base of cliffs help stabilize them and prevent ongoing degradation. The findings will inform effective coastal management and disaster preparedness to mitigate future impacts and improve climate change adaptation and planning. The research will benefit Australians by enhancing public safety along coastal amenities, protecting infrastructure, reducing costs related to geotechnical assessments and mitigation efforts, and improving land use and asset management behind the coastal cliffs. To ensure the research is widely understood and adopted, the outcomes will be shared through public awareness campaigns and collaboration with industry stakeholders. Engaging with local communities and using digital platforms will also help translate the research into practical applications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Homelessness and Climate Change. Employing an Asia-Pacific perspective from Cambodia and India, this project aims to understand how homeless people, as the most vulnerable segment of society, have also been the hardest hit by ongoing climate disasters. The research is significant for the comparative regional lens it will offer on the lived experiences of homeless people during times of acute and systemic vulnerability. The study will explore how and why people continue to slip through the cracks, particularly during climate crisis scenarios, and into life on the streets as a result of inadequate social supports that could be afforded to secure livelihoods. Field of research: 4406 - Human Geography All countries are susceptible to the effects of climate change, making it a shared global responsibility. The ability of neighbouring countries to support marginalised communities during times of climate crisis has significant implications for Australia in terms of both foreign policy and social consequences. This project looks at homelessness in the Asia-Pacific region to understand how grassroots organising is used by marginalised communities when faced with climate-related disasters. By studying how homeless communities cope without formal state interventions during climate disasters, we can develop the insights needed to strengthen regional capacity in securing housing for vulnerable populations. As Australia itself faces increasing environmental threats and climate-related disasters, this research offers valuable insights into how grassroots community organising can result in more effective crisis management. Understanding how to better respond to the increasingly combined experiences of homelessness and climate disaster fills a critical knowledge gap. With most refugees arriving in Australia from the Asia-Pacific region, this project helps to position Australia as a supportive international neighbour by developing research expertise that aims to empower local agency among vulnerable people. A series of workshops in both field sites as well as in Newcastle will help to promote this research beyond academia, maximising the potential for understanding and future uptake.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Is bad stronger than good when it comes to youth experiences in sport? Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Nonlinear topology optimisation for stretchable mechanical structures. This project aims to develop a novel computational framework for design of stretchable mechanical structures with tailored, exceptional performance. It will address a critical methodological gap in “inverse design” of novel stretchable structures by advancing numerical modelling, data-driven, and optimisation approaches in a nonlinear regime. Expected outcomes include innovative design schemes and development of a new class of stretchable structures to meet increasingly complex functional demands. This could provide significant benefits for technical innovations in soft robotics, wearable technologies, biomedical devices, and energy-absorbing systems, enabling new applications across engineering disciplines. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering High-performance structures play a crucial role in scientific discovery and technological innovation. Among them, stretchable structures, capable of undergoing large deformations while maintaining structural integrity, have unique mechanical properties that could transform industries such as electronics, manufacturing, and safety. However, growing demand for stretchable structures with sophisticated performance beyond naturally available methods has been hindered by costly and inefficient trial-and-error design processes. Addressing this challenge is essential to sustaining Australia’s leadership in these high-impact and emerging sectors. This project aims to develop new design approaches to enable more efficient and effective creation of stretchable structures While focused on fundamental methodologies, its applications span soft robotics, flexible electronics, stretchable lithium-ion batteries, protective systems, wearable monitors, and soft implants. Findings will be widely disseminated through social media, seminars, and outreach activities. This project aligns with the “Future Made in Australia” strategy, strengthening Australia’s expertise in computational modelling, smart manufacturing, and advanced materials and structures. It will support long-term industrial growth, position Australia as a global leader in technological advancements, and deliver lasting national benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Building the sperm RNA profile: Mechanisms of acquisition and modulation. Paternal non-genetic inheritance has been shown to be driven by changing ecosystems in many species. Although RNAs have been identified as the primary non-genetic factor in sperm, contributing to fertility and breeding success, their modulation within the reproductive tract remains unclear. This project aims to address how environmental exposures alter the RNA profile of sperm prior to conception and impact offspring, generating new global knowledge in non-genetic inheritance. Expected outcomes include insights and biological strategies to respond to and mitigate the impact of our changing ecosystem. In the face of current unprecedented environmental shifts this will provide benefits to animals of conservation and agricultural significance. Field of research: 3109 - Zoology Non-genetic inheritance results from factors other than a change in the DNA sequence of gametes and leads to the transmission of phenotypes to offspring in response to environmental change. Indeed, the paternal environment can have lasting effects across multiple generations, impacting economic factors such as the cost of managing affected livestock, reduced livestock breeding efficiencies as well as ecosystem sustainability. While the non-genetic factors in sperm that affect offspring traits have been identified, how these non-genetic factors are controlled is poorly understood. This project aims to discover how environmental changes in males alter the non-genetic content of their sperm. This research will benefit Australia by making fundamental discoveries that can be applied to male reproductive biology, evolutionary and RNA biology, epigenetics, and environmental exposure impact. Over time this could assist with improved breeding strategies to enhance livestock health and productivity, as well as new biotechnology protocols which will have economical and commercial benefits to Australia. These opportunities will be explored through partnership with agriculture and biotechnology industries. Moreover, by fostering new national and international collaborations, this project will amplify the impact of valuable ARC funding. Research advancements will be shared with relevant stakeholders in the agriculture and biotechnology sectors as well as the general public more broadly.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

My Mother's Polio: Australian Experiences of Poliomyelitis, 1950s to... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research