Australian National University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Building worker & technology partnerships that maximise human-AI creativity. This project aims to offer new knowledge about how workers can best partner with artificial intelligence (AI) to solve problems creatively. To date, we do not fully understand how to combine these diverse forms of capability. Through both laboratory studies and field research, we investigate how human psychological conditions of trust and motivation build collaborative capabilities underpinning creativity, and, in turn, how work design promotes dynamic collaboration. We then develop scientifically-based interventions that promote collaboration by building trust, motivation, and work design. This project offers a roadmap for how organizations can boost creativity by leveraging the strengths of both workers and AI in partnership. Field of research: 3507 - Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour Using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate creative work poses employment, quality and performance concerns and misses the benefits of workers and AI working together. When workers effectively collaborate with AI, this partnership, has potential to boost creativity while addressing the risks of automation. By examining how to design work systems and develop workers’ abilities to support human-AI collaboration, we will generate scientifically informed knowledge about how to leverage the strengths of both to augment creativity. We will offer research-led guidance to support workers as their needs and technology change. Working with industry partners, this knowledge will be tested in work settings to inform policy and practice in the public service and industry. Project findings will guide and inform future approaches to maximise the creative potential of Generative AI at work, leading to a more skilled workforce, which in turn promises to enhance their work experience and accelerate economic and social growth in Australia, and the broader community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

The chemical diet of plants and its ramifications on carbon loss in leaves. This project will developing a novel framework to significantly improve our understanding of plant nocturnal leaf respiration and its contribution to atmospheric carbon concentrations. It is widely assumed that respiration consumes sugars to make the energy needed to power cells and grow. However, recent work has shown that plants use other substances to fuel respiration, saving sugars for export from leaves to growing tissue. Not using sugars significantly alters carbon dioxide released during respiration, with important consequences for climate models that predict plant-atmosphere carbon exchange. Expected outcomes include a better representation of how carbon release from vegetation is accounted for in global carbon cycles. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology Australia relies on plant growth for the food we eat to the functioning of our natural ecosystems. Plant growth plays a central role in the carbon cycle, yet our ability to measure and model plant respiration, the release of carbon, at scale and across landscapes are limited. This research project will leverage state-of-the-art technologies and advanced frameworks to better understand carbon release by plant respiration in both current and future climate scenarios. In doing so, the research will inform future crop development and agriculture best practices. Carbon and its accounting are central to our efforts in the coming decades to adapt to the changing climate. The resulting improved plant carbon use and climate modelling will help to better meet our international climate change obligations and develop more effective strategies to manage Australian natural resources and mitigate climate change risks to the environment, society and economy. The state-of-the-art technologies developed as part of the project will be shared widely with collaborators and the broader scientific community, with the potential for commercial development of specialised scientific instruments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Mid-infrared spatial filtering to enable the search for extrasolar life. This project aims to create the key missing technology of mid-infrared high-efficiency spatial filtering for detecting life on planets like Earth, the European Space Agency's priority theme. This proposal plans to accelerate the search for life by suppressing starlight as a noise source at infrared wavelengths, to unveil distinctive characteristics of Earth-like exoplanets. The expected outcome is the fabrication of a spatial filtering technology capable of covering the 3 - 18.5 micron region in no more than two devices. The expected benefits are the involvement of Australia in the most important space missions of the next decades and the enhancement of applied photonics technology in our society. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences How habitable are other worlds and is there life on other planets outside our solar system? More than 5000 planets have now been discovered to date. Detecting and characterising earth like planets are the most significant goal to answer these questions. Based on micron-scale processing of transparent material, this project will develop and enhanced the ability for future space missions to detect emission such as thermal radiation from Earth-like exoplanets. In obtaining critical informations on atmospheres, sign of oxygen and water, and habitability, this method will allow the understanding on how secondary atmospheres like that of Earth’s form and when. The project will reinforce Australia's position in space exploration and generate broad society impacts with the introduction of new advanced detection devices, paving the way towards commercializing of photonic devices operating at thermal infrared wavelengths with improved opportunities for sensing. The developed technology will provide essential insights about one of humanity’s grandest goals, crossing several fields of science and philosophy – determining our place in the Universe through both finding how common planets with potentially life-supporting atmospheres are, and even if there is life on other planets.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Pathways to non-Indigenous Allyship with Indigenous Australian Peoples Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Fully nonlinear geometric flows. Geometric flows describe geometries changing through heat flow and diffusion. They arise naturally in many fields, from phase change and tumbling stones to string theory, and provide new tools for understanding questions in geometry and physics. This project aims to develop techniques for the design and analysis of highly nonlinear geometric flows, and apply them to understand long term behaviour of these processes. The new methods will contribute to the theory of nonlinear partial differential equations, enable the application of geometric flows to resolve important geometric and topological questions, and produce new theoretical tools applicable to similar systems arising in areas such as image processing, finance and material science. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics In many physical systems, an interface changes over time in a way dependent on its curvature. Examples include erosion processes like stones tumbling on the beach and the propagation of bushfire fronts. Often these evolutionary processes are highly nonlinear. This project addresses the research gap in the mathematical understanding of fully nonlinear evolution by curvature. Better mathematical understanding of these processes developed in this project could lead to improvements in applications such as bushfire modelling, of critical significance in Australia. Research outcomes could be promoted beyond academia to organisations that rely on these or related models, so they can make adjustments to their operations with potential economic, environmental and health benefits. Graduates and early career researchers from the research training element of this program could be directly placed into jobs with such organisations to realise this research translation. The Administering Institution has a well-established team ready to assist with research translation by connecting these researchers with users in bushfire modelling and in other practical applications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Police Collecting of Ancestral Remains and Cultural Property, 1825-1930. The project aims to investigate the history, legality and modern implications of police collecting of Indigenous Ancestral Remains and cultural property and the role of museums and governments in directing this activity (1825-1930). By examining relevant law and jurisprudence during this period, and assumptions about applicability to Indigenous ownership and enjoyment of their possessions, we expect to generate new knowledge of the legal bases on which resulting museum collections rely. Expected outcomes include new histories about police-collecting and their legal, social and political implications, benefitting repatriation, truth-telling and reconciliation, and decolonised heritage legislation and museum policies here and overseas. Field of research: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History It is increasingly well known that police perpetrated violence against First Nations throughout the colonial period. But their role in supplying human remains and cultural objects to domestic and overseas museums is little understood, nor whether they exceeded or abused their powers in doing so. Combining fine-grained historical research with detailed legal analysis, this project investigates police collecting (1825-1930) and its contemporary implications. Revealing this history is of profound importance to First Nations seeking to know what happened to their Ancestors and cultural property, self-determine their future, and make repatriation claims. It is also of deep importance to museums and police, as understanding and acknowledging their past colonial actions will improve service to First Nations and is critical for their reconciliation aspirations. Findings in diverse formats will maximise reach and uptake: a book and journal articles; education materials; conference papers and a symposium; submissions to museums and their peak bodies, to police organisations, government, treaty and truth telling processes, and to social justice commissions and enquiries. Findings will also be made available to First Nations via the Return Reconcile Renew Digital Archive and peak organisations whose experts are on the project reference group. The use of project insights will contribute to repatriation, reconciliation and associated improved social outcomes for First Nation Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Uncovering Hidden Histories of Women and Colloquial Language in Australia. This project aims to examine the role of women in shaping the history of colloquial language in Australia. It will use a range of historical sources to generate new knowledge about how women collected, recorded, engaged with, and wrote about colloquial language. The project will place this history into a broader discussion of gendered discourses surrounding English, language, and speech in Australia. Expected outcomes include a better understanding of the gendering of Australian national identity and new knowledge about women’s role in the story of colloquial language. It will benefit Australia through communicating and providing new perspectives on national myths around language. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies A love of slang and colloquial language has played a significant role in Australian society, identity, and culture across time. Language has been closely connected to Australian national myths and iconic masculine figures such as the digger, the bushman, and the larrikin. In order to understand the full picture of Australians’ relationships with slang, we need greater knowledge of the roles that women have played in shaping the history of colloquial language in this country. This project will investigate the ways that women have contributed to the story of slang in the past in Australia, through collecting, recording, engaging with, or writing about colloquial language. In doing so, the project will reveal previously unknown stories about how women have used slang, and ideas about slang, to both shape and express their identities, and to assert themselves within the nation’s culture and story. Through public lectures, podcasts, short newspaper and online articles, and a book, the project will provide the Australian community with important knowledge and insights into the story of women and slang that will shed light on the parts women have played in this aspect of national identity and culture, which, in turn, will help foster a more inclusive sense of national identity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Speed-of-Light Earthquake and Tsunami Detection. This project strives to revolutionise earthquake and tsunami early warning systems by leveraging sensor technology originally developed for gravitational wave detections. Anticipating seismic events, the project ultimate aim is to yield precious additional seconds for earthquakes and valuable minutes for tsunamis, outperforming current early warning systems. The project outcome will underscore the viability of integrating cutting-edge technology into operational earthquake early warning systems. This can provide substantial advantage, more time to safeguard lives, halt high-speed trains, and protect critical infrastructure such as power stations and gas mains from the devastating impact of seismic waves and surging water volumes. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware Earthquakes and tsunamis can devastate communities and infrastructure in Australia's Asia-Pacific neighbors, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses, response, and recovery costs. Australia bears a significant portion of these costs through increased foreign aid and losses to overseas investments by Australian companies. While effective early warning systems can reduce fatalities and economic losses, current systems rely on outdated models. This project's innovative sensors have the potential to significantly improve these early warning systems. These sensors measure changes in gravity, which can be detected earlier than the seismic waves currently used, significantly increasing warning lead times. Even a modest increase in lead time is crucial for protecting critical facilities, halting hazardous activities, and facilitating evacuation. This will lead to more effective impact mitigation, allowing our Asia-Pacific neighbors to recover quickly, maintain economic stability, and further strengthen Australia's diplomatic and historical relationships with Indo-Pacific countries. This project will enable Australian scientists to contribute to and potentially deliver Australian-designed hardware and software for improved emergency early warning systems. It will also foster greater collaboration and dissemination of results within Australia's advanced research sector and the international seismic research community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Geometry of Character Varieties. The aim of this project is to develop a comprehensive theory for the geometry of the spaces of symmetries called character varieties. The significance of these spaces stems from their central role in deep areas of mathematics and physics, such as the geometric Langlands program, mirror symmetry, and Yang--Mills theory. Expected outcomes include resolution of long-standing conjectures regarding invariants of character varieties. The benefits include applications in number theory and knot theory, and more broadly in cybersecurity, quantum computing, and economics. We will also strengthen the Australian mathematical research community by creating a hub in the southern hemisphere for the study of character varieties. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics The proposed research addresses fundamental problems in representation theory and arithmetic geometry, with significant and diverse implications for the mathematical sciences and broader applications. This project aims to develop innovative methodologies to study rich geometric structures that encode symmetries of surfaces. It aligns well with Australia's STEM priorities and provides excellent training opportunities for young Australian researchers. Expected applications include novel optimisation algorithms with potential uses across various industries. These include new tools in discrete convexity theory and statistics. A striking feature of these results is that they provide linear and quantum versions of well-known results. This leads to more efficient and flexible algorithms in optimisation, applicable in problems like scheduling and resource allocation. By combining knowledge of leading expertise in Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Auckland, the project will strengthen Australia’s educational and research landscape. To maximise the impact of the findings, the project team will engage with both academic and non-academic audiences. They plan to publish results in high-impact journals and present them at international conferences, ensuring visibility within the scientific community. Outreach activities, including public lectures, will disseminate knowledge to a broader audience, fostering public understanding and appreciation of the importance of mathematical research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

More than the background: the role of lipids in ion channel function. The movement of solutes in and out of cells underlies nerve impulses and our ability to sense the environment. It is controlled by ion channels, proteins located in cell membranes that open and close in response to different stimuli. But, we have only just begun to appreciate that the membrane and its lipid components actively contribute to regulating these proteins. We aim to explain how lipids regulate two important families of ion channel responsible for sensing touch and sending nerve signals, using a combination of cutting edge experimental and computational methods. These findings will address uncertainties in molecular biology and neuroscience, and provide a basis for predicting lipid regulation in a wide range of proteins. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology The generation of nerve impulses in responses to the senses, and how they are spread through the bodies is not fully understood. Such impulses are tightly controlled so that sensations don’t feel too weak (absent) or too strong (painful), and so that they don’t generate chaotic firing that can lead to seizures. This project aims to harness the collaborative expertise of multiple research teams to understand one way the individual cells in your body control such impulses through the properties of the cell membrane. The project is fundamental in nature, and will enrich our understanding of a range of biological processes that can be controlled by cell membranes. This research will have diverse implications, as we will study a range of organisms from humans to plants. For example, we will provide insight into our least understood sense, the ability to feel mechanical forces, as well as having benefit in agriculture and biotechnology providing directions for improving drought and salt tolerance of crops. The software developed in this project can be applied to understanding a wide range of other cellular components and we expect it to be utilised by researchers studying diverse biological processes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Pollinator pathways: GPS insights into honeyeater migration and habitat use. This project aims to address key gaps in knowledge about where and how birds move across the landscape. The project will conduct the largest simultaneous GPS tracking study in Australia to date, focusing on large, tree-pollinating honeyeaters to shed light on their seasonal and migratory movements. Expected outcomes include the first detailed maps of the routes that migrating honeyeaters take and actionable data on how habitat features influence the ecosystem services that these keystone pollinators provide. This represents the first major step in closing a 20-year gap in studies of Australian migration and should benefit land managers and partner organisations by enhancing return on investment for conservation and revegetation efforts. Field of research: 3103 - Ecology An estimated 20% of all bird species are migratory, with potentially half of all migratory species in decline. In Australia, many migrants play a critical role in ensuring the health and resilience of agricultural and natural ecosystems as pollinators for flowering plants. However, current understanding of the movements of migratory birds in Australia is decades behind the global standard. This project combines cost-effective and cutting-edge technologies to close this gap and establish a new standard for wildlife monitoring in Australia. Tracking migratory pollinators as they move in and between different habitats will reveal—for the first time—the complete migratory paths of any honeyeater species and the features shaping where they go and when. The project will generate novel insights into avian biology and deliver specific outputs to key stakeholders (Greening Australia and conservation efforts for Australia’s most endangered bird—the regent honeyeater). Further, the project will integrate with, and expand, Australia’s Internet of Things capacity that is underpinning multibillion dollar developments in the agricultural sector. In doing so, the project will develop tools that can incorporate biodiversity monitoring with ‘smart agriculture’ systems, benefiting both primary production and conservation goals.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Grandparenting in Australia: a history (1945-2025). The project aims to develop the first history of grandparenting in Australia. Longer lives, and major demographic, social and cultural changes, have increased the importance of grandparenting for the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. The research expects to address a major gap in the study of grandparenting - its evolution over time, in relation to profound changes in society, including life expectancy, gender rights, and multiculturalism. Expected outcomes include a new historical understanding of grandparenting, and guidelines for the collection of family histories. The project should provide significant benefits by helping scholars and policy makers shape grandparents' key contribution to Australia's future. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies Australia is an aging society. In families with working parents, elderly grandparents increasingly provide the largest, most frequent, consistent, long-lasting and intimate form of childcare and family support. They have a crucial role to play in the social, economic and psychological wellbeing of families. However, grandparents and the role of grandparenting has a limited focus in current public discourse, and within existing government policy frameworks. Drawing on the historical and current experiences of families and communities, this project will deliver the untold story of how grandparenting in Australia has changed over time, and its impact on our society. Through community dialogues and public events; a digital guide to family history; a podcast on grandparenting; and media and social media outputs; the Australian community and key policy makers will gain critical insights into the role and influence of grandparenting. Access to these resources will help to guide and inform the development of future social and economic policies on ageing and aged care, childcare, family welfare, and employment. This will contribute to social equity and economic productivity of the broader Australian society, and a strengthening of the overall wellbeing of Australian families.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Dissecting sensory chloroplasts in specialised cells for climate resilience. This project aims to fill a critical knowledge gap in how unique chloroplasts function beyond photosynthesis across four major cell types of a plant leaf, enabling plants to sense and respond to environmental changes. It aims to dissect how different chloroplasts utilise hydrogen peroxide, a key messenger molecule, in these specialised cells to modulate acclimation to stressful conditions such as excess sunlight. Expected outcomes include an unprecedented, cellular-resolution blueprint of a leaf showing how chloroplast- and cell type-specialisation are coordinated for plant growth and survival. This should provide significant benefits to the engineering of improved climate resilience into key Australian crops including canola and sorghum. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology The increasing frequency and intensity of climate extremes are threatening Australian agriculture production. Climate extremes negatively impact crop yields, specifically grains and oilseed, which are down by 87% and are estimated to diminish our GDP by $5.5 billion annually. Traditional strategies to enhance crop resilience often target the entire plant, however, this often results in trade-offs with undesirable impacts on plant growth and seed yield. Greater precision in our strategies is needed to avoid the trade-offs and inform future crop breeding that enhances both crop and economic resilience. This project seeks to discover and understand the specialised roles of diverse plant leaf cells in sensing changes to their environment, such as extended drought and intense sunlight. By deepening our understanding of the cellular and molecular specialisation within the plant leaf, we can leverage the discoveries and insights to guide Australian crop breeders and global agri-technology companies to produce next-generation climate-resilient crops with fewer trade-offs. Collectively, this research contributes to strategies that aim to safeguard the rural Australian agriculture industry and food security against environmental threats from climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Testing the cosmological principle with galaxy motions. This project aims to measure both distances and velocities for 100,000 galaxies and so map the visible and dark matter within a billion light-years. It exploits data from the first year of a transformational survey using the European Southern Observatory’s newest facility, which will surpass existing maps by a factor of 10 in volume and 50 in galaxies. The goals are to find the origin of the Milky Way’s motion through space, test predictions for the motions of galaxies on large scales, confirm the Universe becomes smooth on the largest scales, and pave the way for the full 5-year survey. Expected benefits are a deeper understanding of fundamental physics, advanced training for Australian researchers, and stronger European collaborations. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences Maps of the Universe show us where we are and how we got here. This project aims to answer fundamental questions about the Universe by creating a vast new map of galaxies' positions and motions over the whole southern sky. This map will be far larger than any previous survey. It will reveal the origin of the Milky Way's motion through the Universe and test a fundamental assumption of modern cosmology: that on the largest scales the Universe is the same everywhere. The project exploits the Australian government’s $120M investment in a 10-year strategic partnership with the European Southern Observatory to access a transformational new survey telescope. To collect light from thousands of galaxies simultaneously, this facility uses advanced micro-robots for positioning optical fibres that were designed and built in Australia. The primary benefit of this project will be a deeper understanding of humanity’s place in the Universe. Other benefits include a high-profile demonstration of an Australian technology for precision engineering applications, training for young researchers in sophisticated computing and data analysis, and stronger European scientific and technical collaborations. This map of the Universe will generate spectacular images with broad public appeal. These will be shared through conventional and social media to increase interest in science, inspire young people to take up STEM careers, and publicise Australia’s technological capabilities in robotics and optics.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Volcanoes on Ice: Mantle Influence on Antarctic Ice Sheet Evolution. This project will constrain Antarctic mantle dynamics over the past 40 million years using a data-driven computational approach that integrates its volcanic record with complementary geoscientific observations. A major outcome will be the first Antarctic-wide reconstructions of topography and heat flow – surface manifestations of mantle convection that control ice-sheet behaviour. These will be used to explore why the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) formed and how it has since evolved. Benefits include a transformational understanding of connections between the Antarctic surface and its deep interior, reducing uncertainties in forecasting the AIS’ response to climate change, and cementing Australia’s leadership in cutting-edge Antarctic science. Field of research: 3706 - Geophysics The Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) contains nearly two-thirds of global freshwater and is a major source of uncertainty in future sea-level rise. Despite this significance there is a substantial gap in understanding why it initially formed ~34 million years ago, and what has since caused it to advance and retreat. This project aims to fill this gap by exploring the impact of mantle convection – the internal ‘engine’ driving our dynamic planet – on AIS inception and evolution. Observational constraints on mantle structure and dynamics will be merged with state-of-the-art computational models, to improve understanding of the processes that have operated beneath Antarctica’s surface and their influence on the AIS. The project will advance Australia’s leadership in Antarctic Science, over which Australia has 42% sovereignty, and train future geoscientists crucial for Australia’s economy. Expected outcomes include: 1) enhanced environmental knowledge of Antarctica, specifically the likely response of the AIS to global warming; and 2) better calibrated models of ice-sheet behaviour, for improved future sea-level forecasts. These will contribute to Australia’s economic and commercial prosperity (e.g. assessing future sea port viability) and social and cultural well-being (e.g. predicting regional coastal migration patterns). Results will be widely disseminated, including through existing partnerships with Geoscience Australia and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Antarctic Science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Understanding Reionization with the Murchison Widefield Array . Epoch of Reionization is the time during the first 10% of the Universes age when the first stars formed, and illuminated cosmic space with UV radiation that heated and re-ionized intergalactic atomic gas remnant from the time of the cosmic-microwave background. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) Epoch of Reionization key project has collected observations for the past 10 years, aiming to detecting re-ionization in low-frequency radio emission from the 21cm line of hydrogen. This project aims to complete the processing of MWA data to produce a final observational constraint or detection, and integrate these findings with detailed physical models to determine key properties of the first galaxies. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences This project exploits the Australian Muchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope and Australian supercomputing expertise to measure the influence the first galaxies on hydrogen in the Universe. This will enable analysis methods for Square Kilometre Array measurements of how stars transformed the Universe by heating cosmic gas. By utilising computer simulations to model the physics of the infant universe and how this will manifest in Square Kilometre Array data, this program will deliver unprecedented insights into how properties of stars transform galaxies over time, shedding light on one of the oldest and most basic questions asked by humanity since the beginning of time: "where did we come from?". The answers we obtain will be of broad interest to the public, and the process of obtaining them will equip fundamental research techniques that will prepare students for careers in a wide range of private- and public-sector professions that rely on technical skills where demand is high, such as data science, financial modelling, and aerospace and defence applications. The project will also build on Australia's traditional strength in astronomical sciences, and help the country play a more prominent role in a number of major international scientific collaborations. This will ensure that Australia has world-leading technical expertise that is crucial for our future economic growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Improving projections of the risk of ocean-driven Antarctic ice melt. The risk of continued ocean-driven ice loss from Antarctica is profound, with marine terminating ice sheets locking up tens of meters of potential global sea level rise. Yet sea level projections are highly uncertain, in part as the numerical models used for making these projections are missing key ocean processes. This project aims to better constrain future rates of sea level rise from Antarctic ice melt by developing new fundamental understanding of the complex ocean processes that drive melting and by transforming the representation of ocean–ice shelf interactions in Australia’s next-generation global ocean model. This will benefit future adaptation of Australia's coastal infrastructure, tourism and natural resource sectors. Field of research: 3708 - Oceanography The risk of continued ocean-driven ice loss from Antarctica is profound, with the potential to raise global sea level by many metres over the coming centuries. Over 85% of the Australian population currently live within the coastal zone susceptible to sea level rise and $226 billion in Australian infrastructure assets are at risk of inundation and erosion hazards by 2100. Yet projections of Antarctic ice loss are highly uncertain and more accurate projections of sea level rise are needed for future coastal adaptation. This project will improve projections of future rates of sea level rise stemming from Antarctic ice melt by developing new fundamental understanding of the complex ocean processes that drive melting. New ocean modelling capability will be developed that represents the fine-scale ocean processes that bring warm ocean waters into contact with the Antarctic ice sheet and drive melt. This new modelling capability will have broad use by researchers in the national and international climate science community. The research will support Australia to be better prepared for future sea level rise and help to guide future climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, thus enhancing the resilience of our economy, society, and natural environment. The increased accuracy of sea level projections enabled by this project will also inform insurance and financial risk projections and guide coastal planning policy across all levels of government.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Harmonic analysis for elliptic partial differential equations. This project aims to establish fundamental estimates for elliptic partial differential equations, a crucial step in unravelling the behaviour of solutions in real-world applications. The overall goal is to study the changes in these estimates as the equation coefficients, indicative of factors like the roughness of the medium, become increasingly singular, through investigating a longstanding conjecture of Pucci from 1966. Anticipated outcomes encompass the invention of a new class of fully nonlinear elliptic equations, along with new harmonic analysis techniques for studying them. The results will be a significant milestone for partial differential equations and solidify Australia's leadership in this cornerstone of modern mathematics. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics Partial differential equations (PDEs) provide a mathematical way of modelling nature. Our previous work has found applications in differential geometry, computational mathematics, optimal transport and more recently in geometric optics. They provided new models for optical systems, which direct given light sources onto desired targets. The current project seeks to establish a good quantitative understanding of solutions to some of the most fundamental types of PDEs. It innovates by constructing a new mathematical object that captures symmetrically the contributions to curvature from different directions, a framework commonly used for expressing image processing operators in computer vision. The project further addresses a longstanding open problem about PDEs, whose study is pioneered by Australian mathematicians. By putting together novel ideas from different areas of mathematics, the project seeks to deliver deep results, and ensure that Australia remains at the cutting edge of the mathematical developments that will underpin the next generation of technological advances, such as communication technologies, medical imaging and mineral exploration. It will also foster international collaboration, via in-depth discussions with experts across the world, and build up Australia's capacity in quantitative skills by training postdoctoral researchers and HDR students. Lectures aimed at general audiences will be given to promote understanding and maximize use of our discoveries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

The moral circle: Understanding the forces that determine moral inclusion. The proposed project aims to transform our understanding of the competing individual and collective forces that determine moral inclusion in society, and ultimately the motivations behind collective social change (e.g., action on climate change, the rights of marginalized communities). It is anticipated that project outcomes will include novel insights into how more inclusive moral norms can be fostered in society and to identify the key psychological barriers to moral inclusion. This would provide significant benefits, including vital policy recommendations and communication strategies to ensure sufficient community support to tackle pressing social challenges, as well as fostering a more compassionate and equitable society. Field of research: 5205 - Social and Personality Psychology Moral exclusion is associated with widespread social issues such as racism, prejudice, marginalisation, and the negative treatment of non-human animals and the environment. We propose a novel conceptual model that addresses critical gaps in our understanding of the social and psychological forces that drive and restrict the moral concern we feel for other groups and entities (human and non-human). This project aims to identify these forces for the first time. This research will benefit Australians by providing novel insights to tackle pressing societal and environmental challenges, such as violence against women, the well-being of marginalised Australians, and attitudes towards the environment and climate, which cost billions of dollars annually. Socially and culturally, it will identify strategies to reduce intergroup tensions, improve social cohesion, and strengthen our national identity by promoting values of compassion and inclusivity. To maximise the impact of our findings, we will engage with policymakers, community groups, and utilise targeted communication strategies to develop actionable guidelines, policy recommendations, and training materials. Our efforts will ensure that the research outcomes are widely understood and adopted, leading to evidence-based policies and practices. By making our research accessible and actionable, we aim to deliver tangible benefits to all Australians, ultimately fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Unleashing the potential of Restorer-of-fertility proteins for hybrid crops. Hybrid crops offer higher and more stable yields than conventional lines. However, cost-effective systems for hybrid seed production are missing for key crops like wheat or barley. One of the main challenges is identifying and tracking Restorer-of-fertility genes that control self-pollination in breeding material. This project will make this process easier, cheaper, and faster by improving our understanding of how Restorer-of-fertility proteins interact with RNA. This knowledge will also extend the application of these genes as biotechnological tools in agriculture, synthetic biology, and medicine. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology Crops make an important contribution to the Australian economy both regionally and nationally, but yields are declining. Hybrid varieties have shown the potential to produce up to 40% higher and more stable yields, as seen in maize and canola. However, developing hybrid breeding systems requires identifying specific genes, a process that is currently very labor-intensive and therefore costly. This project aims to accelerate the identification and tracking of these genes by better understanding how the proteins they encode bind to their RNA targets. The economic benefits of hybrid varieties tailored to the challenges of the Australian climate, particularly for key crops like wheat, barley, and sorghum—major staples contributing to Australian agricultural exports—are expected to be significant. Societal benefits will come from more sustainable yields, ensuring better food and market security in the future. High-yielding hybrid cultivars will reduce the need for deforestation or converting natural habitats into farmland, helping to protect the environment. Additionally, the new knowledge will extend the use of these genes as biotechnological tools in synthetic biology and medicine. The project's aims and expected outcomes will be shared with the wider community through public engagement programs, industry showcases, and media outreach.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Investigating the plant growth/defence trade-off. This project aims to understand how plants balance their growth with defence against pathogens. It expects to generate new knowledge in the area of how natural plant defence mechanisms impact on plant productivity by investigating the underlying biochemical mechanisms. The expected outcomes of this project include the ability to easily identify new long-lasting disease resistance genes, and a more complete understanding of how the plant immune system works.This should provide significant benefits including improving crop productivity by identification of new resistance genes, and strategies to optimise the balance between plant growth and resistance to pathogens. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology Plant diseases cause major crop losses in Australia and worldwide, significantly impeding the Ag2030 vision of delivering a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030. This project is about understanding the relationship between plant productivity and the ability of crops such as wheat to resist damaging diseases. It’s not known why plants cannot grow and defend against pathogens simultaneously, and here, we hope to expose some of the mechanisms by adjusting growth conditions and analysing their effects on plant performance. If successful, the research will help breed better crops by identifying new stable sources of disease resistance and understanding how plant growth and disease resistance interact. The outcomes of this research will allow better, more environmentally friendly methods for controlling crop disease, helping farmers, consumers and exporters to enjoy the benefits of higher crop productivity, ultimately strengthening Australia’s economy and supporting local agricultural communities. The research results will be shared with breeding companies, agricultural researchers, and other stakeholders through planned meetings. The results will be published in scientific journals and industry news sources.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Defining and harnessing the code of messenger RNA modifications. This project aims to define and harness a hidden layer of genetic control that guides protein production. Using interdisciplinary approaches combining cell biology, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, the project expects to generate new knowledge and tools that will enhance our understanding of how biological systems enact their genetic program through messenger RNA to produce the proteins that sustain life. Anticipated outcomes include an improved ability to elucidate key cellular mechanisms and new molecular tools with broad applications in biotechnology. This should realise global benefits across industry and agriculture, fostering economic growth and advancing interdisciplinary training and research in Australia. Field of research: 3102 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology The ability to synthesise ribonucleic acid (RNA) holds great promise for developing tailored treatments for diseases, as was seen with the vaccines that controlled the COVID-19 pandemic. To make this a reality, therapeutic RNA must be precisely engineered to ensure its effectiveness, stability for transport and storage, and safety for ecosystems and Australia's diverse population. This project will generate new molecular tools that allow RNA to be modified and adapted in a precise and controlled manner through a pioneering combination of computational, synthetic, and experimental techniques. These tools will enable the manipulation of natural and synthetic RNA, allowing the study of fundamental biological processes and the creation of RNA for bioengineering and medical purposes, such as enhancing insulin production or generating safer vaccines tailored to the individual’s genetic makeup. Additionally, these tools may aid in the development of effective and environmentally safe animal vaccines and treatments against pathogens for animals and plants of natural and economic importance in Australia. These tools could be commercialised or licensed to biotech and pharma companies globally, integrated into therapy production pipelines, and used by researchers to further explore these biological processes and discover new therapies, ensuring significant economic and societal impacts and contributing to a growing biotechnology market in Australia and worldwide.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Experimenting with Estrogen: Towards inclusive science, medicine and policy. This project aims to investigate how biological scientists, medical clinicians and lay people are experimenting with the sex hormone estrogen. Using ethnography, qualitative interviews and textual analysis, it will identify, analyse and evaluate these experimental understandings and practices, focusing on how they challenge discriminatory and out-dated models of sex and gender. Expected outcomes include more holistic and inclusive understandings of estrogen and its effects that are better aligned with contemporary lived experiences of sex and gender. Benefits include increased capacity of health professionals to provide effective and respectful services, and of Australians to make informed decisions about their bodies and health. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology Estrogen is a hormone that plays a vital role in the reproductive, brain and bone health of all Australians. However, outdated ideas about sex and gender hinder scientific, medical and lay understandings of estrogen. This has led to divisive medical and public debate about the safety and effectiveness of estrogen therapies particularly for menopausal and trans and gender diverse people. This is a problem: without clear medical guidance, consumers turn to social media for health advice and take estrogens without medical supervision. To address this problem, this project examines how biases and cultural beliefs about sex and gender shape estrogen related scientific research, medical practices, public debate and lay practices. This first ever study of this issue analyses cutting-edge scientific research, medical practice and diverse people’s lived experiences to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of estrogen use. The project will contribute new knowledge with and for diverse stakeholders through a collaboratively curated series of public events and publications for policy makers, community organisations and professional bodies. Together, these will broaden and rebalance the debate about estrogen use in Australia and internationally. The use of our findings in practice will improve doctor/patient communication and inform decision-making thereby enhancing the health and wellbeing of menopausal and trans and gender diverse people in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Nuclear moments as a unique probe of the nuclear quantum many-body problem. This project explores the self-organisation of protons and neutrons within the atomic nucleus. The goal is to map how deformed shapes and collective rotations emerge from the intricate motion of individual particles. Novel measurements of nuclear magnetism and the charge distribution of the nucleus, and examination of how they vary with the number of nucleons and excitation energy, aim to give new insights. Expected outcomes include the revision of long-held views and a deeper understanding of the general quantum many-body problem, which spans science and technology. Anticipated benefits include international research engagement, and providing essential hands-on training to address Australia’s pressing demand for skilled nuclear personnel. Field of research: 5106 - Nuclear and Plasma Physics This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of atomic nuclei by developing new methods to measure the electric and magnetic fields created by their internal particles. One main goal is to understand how these particles move together to shape and rotate the nucleus, much like the end-over-end spin of an Australian rules football in flight. The electric field helps us see the shape, while the magnetic field reveals which particles are causing the rotation. On a broader scale, this research tackles important questions in quantum mechanics, which is fundamental to chemistry, biology, and various technologies. The project also seeks to enhance international scientific collaboration by developing new techniques at Australia's Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility and using them at top laboratories worldwide. Moreover, the project will benefit society by offering hands-on training in advanced nuclear methods. This training will produce skilled professionals capable of addressing issues related to nuclear technologies, safety, and regulation. Nuclear technologies have diverse applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, and industry. Training experts in this field is crucial, especially as Australia prepares to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, emphasising the need for public assurance and safety.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Fast and parallel logic gates for trapped-ion quantum computing. Quantum computers can simulate complex chemical interactions and materials in ways that existing quantum chemistry tools cannot. This project aims to develop key technology that will allow trapped-ion quantum computers to operate at a scale that makes them useful for commercial purposes. All current quantum computing platforms are limited by their ability to apply a large number of successive entangling gates. For trapped-ion systems, these limits can be overcome by non-adiabatic gate protocols called 'fast gates'. This project aims to develop versions of these tools that operate more efficiently when used in large scale next-generation quantum computers. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics This project aims to deliver a groundbreaking technology for the world’s leading quantum computing platform. The design of advanced drugs and materials is currently limited by the capabilities of existing computers. This new technology will unlock new possibilities in these industries globally. By making the design of new medicines and advanced materials more affordable, it will significantly benefit Australia’s health and manufacturing sectors. Australia is at the forefront of the quantum technology revolution, with a rapidly growing private sector poised to benefit from the increasing commercial demand for quantum computing. This project is an investment in Australian expertise, building a talent pipeline essential for sustaining this growth. It also aligns with the National Quantum Strategy by fostering collaboration between Australian quantum science and industry.