Australian National University

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.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Delivering step changes in canola yield by improving pod photosynthesis. Australian canola is highly sought after globally, but demand for plant oils exceeds supply due to stagnant yield improvement from traditional breeding. This project aims to boost canola yield and drought resilience by engineering pod photosynthesis, a novel breeding target. The multidisciplinary project team will address gaps in understanding natural variation in pod photosynthesis, providing innovative genetic tools for developing canola germplasm suitable for future climates. Adoption of these innovations by the industry partners will deliver high-yielding, low agronomic input commercial canola varieties to Australian growers, reducing environmental footprint, boosting the Australian economy and contributing to net-zero emission targets. Field of research: 3004 - Crop and Pasture Production The Australian canola industry has always been a globally focused sector. As Australia’s second most important cash crop, canola generated an export value of $4.7-6.1 billion from 2021 to 2024. With increasing global demand for food, feed and renewable fuels, Australian canola production needs a step change in yield progress to meet this demand under climate change. Canola seed pod photosynthesis contributes up to 80% of yield and is closely linked with oil production. There is little understanding of seed pod photosynthesis, which represents a new frontier-breeding target. Together with industry partners, this project aims to develop new high-yielding canola varieties by enhancing seed pod photosynthesis through molecular techniques. This is expected to boost canola production while minimising agronomic inputs and our environmental footprint. This advancement will contribute to a more sustainable canola industry by improving profitability for farmers and enhancing canola export value, ultimately benefiting the Australian economy. This interdisciplinary team has a clear pathway for translating research into commercial canola varieties. Our industry partner, Corteva Agriscience, is one of the world’s largest canola seed companies and a leading company in the Australian canola seed market. This will secure maximum adoption of the new canola germplasm developed from this project by canola breeders and the larger canola farming sector through their existing marketing strategies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Landscape genomics for adaptable native forest management and restoration. Large-scale forest disturbance and community composition shifts are already observed under climate change, yet land managers, restoration practitioners and policy makers lack essential tools necessary to adapt and enhance forest ecosystem resilience. We will take a three tiered approach, combining landscape community genomics, ongoing restoration efforts, and emergent climate-adaptive management and governance frameworks. By sampling thousands of seed lot trees from extreme environments, we will provide environmental genomic prediction among species necessary for management. The delivered outcome will be a scientifically-informed toolkit for industry and government in responding to vegetation change and repairing degraded ecosystems. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Climate change is shifting many factors that drive forest and woodland species’ distributions, i.e. fire, drought and insect pressure, resulting in landscape-wide refiltering, dieback and gradual degradation. Consequently, land managers are being challenged with increasingly complex decisions about how and when to best allocate limited resources to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem structure and function and protect landscape-associated social values. We will use modern genetics techniques and social science to deliver tools to the conservation sector and government to improve native forest resilience and conservation outcomes. Healthy and resilient Australian forests and landscapes retain essential economic, social, environmental, commercial and cultural value. Characterising variation in forest vulnerability and resilience, enables several novel scientifically-informed conservation tools to guide restoration practitioners and forest managers in developing adaptable decision frameworks, revising priorities and policy to cultivate forest resilience despite changing climates. This project has been co-developed with state governments, state park and reserve managers, restoration practitioners, herbariums and community NGOs to ensure translation of research to directly applicable tools to help Australia’s land managers and policy makers redesign native forest management and restoration programs for the new management demands arising from changing climates.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Echoes from the Planetary Cores: Seismic Insights into Deep Worlds. This Laureate Fellowship seeks to unlock the secrets of the Earth's core—a hidden time capsule and the vital thermal engine and magnetic heartbeat of our planet. Using cutting-edge imaging techniques and new data, it will elucidate the core's interior and its critical connections with the Earth's upper layers and magnetic fields—all fundamental for sustaining life. As interplanetary missions rapidly progress, extending our understanding of the Moon, Mars, and icy moons is imperative. Advancing this research at this crucial moment will accelerate the development of a skilled STEM workforce, securing Australia's position as a leader in scientific research: from the depths of our own planet to the farthest reaches of the solar system. Field of research: 3706 - Geophysics Australia's space industry, valued at $6.4 billion and growing rapidly, is a leader in space research, employing over 15,000 Australians. To sustain this leadership, the Laureate Fellowship will employ advanced seismological techniques to decode the structures, compositions and dynamics of planetary cores. This research will deepen our understanding of magnetic fields and global processes crucial for exploring and evaluating the potential for life on other planets. The Fellowship will develop innovative techniques and models for Earth and planetary sciences, enhancing Australia's research capabilities. Conducting groundbreaking seismic analyses will provide valuable insights on planetary interiors to scientists, space agencies, and educational institutions, fostering innovation and technological advancement. Collaborations with international experts will bolster Australia's global presence in these fields. By advancing our knowledge of planetary interiors, this Fellowship will prepare the scientific community for exploring the Moon, Mars, and icy moons while inspiring future generations and training a highly skilled STEM workforce. These efforts will reinforce Australia's technological prowess, ensuring that our children inherit a future where space exploration drives scientific progress and economic growth. This Fellowship will establish Australia as a global leader in Earth and planetary sciences, supporting the advancement and sustainability of the nation’s space industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Theory and computation of vineyards and vineyard modules. Vineyards and vineyard modules are mathematical objects calculated from topological measurements of continuous one-parameter families of data. This project aims to develop theory and computational tools for the use of vineyards and vineyard modules with a particular focus on time-varying point clouds and planar subsets as data input. The project expects to generate new knowledge relating to the algebraic and geometric structures within vineyards and vineyard modules, as well as develop new code for computing vineyards and distances between vineyards. Expected outcomes and benefits include enhanced data analysis tools, research training with increased capacity within the mathematical sciences, and increased international collaboration. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics Topological Data Analysis is an exciting new area of research in data science providing insights into the shape of data. Within Topological Data Analysis the mathematical object of vineyards capture information about how this shape of changes over time-varying data. Vineyards have been effective in diverse applications with dynamic data from analysis fMRI scans to music classification, but their power is hampered by the lack of algorithms to compute their algebraic and geometrical structures, and the lack of statistical tools that can utilise the information contained in these structures. This project addresses this important gap through theory development as well as mathematically informed algorithm design and implementation. The project will create accessible tools for data scientists to use for dynamic point clouds and for the analysis of shapes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Biomimetic Innovation for Next-Generation Catalysis and Chemical Synthesis. This Fellowship is focused on advancing organic chemistry by drawing inspiration from natural biochemical processes. The Fellow will develop new biomimetic approaches that improve the efficiency & sustainability of modern chemical synthesis. The expected outcomes include groundbreaking strategies & highly efficient catalytic reactions for creating functional molecules, with wide-ranging applications in fields like medicine & materials science. These innovations will offer significant benefits, such as access to rare bioactive natural products and a reduced environmental footprint for synthetic chemistry. Additionally, the Fellow will mentor early career researchers, strengthening Australia’s expertise in this vital area of research. Field of research: 3405 - Organic Chemistry The aim of this Fellowship is to advance the field of synthetic chemistry by drawing inspiration from the biochemistry of living organisms. It addresses a critical research gap in Australia by developing innovative biomimetic concepts that enhance the efficiency & sustainability of chemical synthesis processes. Traditional methods of producing complex organic molecules—our medicines, agrochemicals, polymers, & high-tech materials—often lead to significant environmental impacts. This research aims to create greener alternatives that meet both scientific & industrial needs. The potential benefits for Australians are substantial. Economically, this research could foster the development of new synthetic technologies that reduce costs & drive job creation in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, & materials science. Additionally, the project will equip the next generation of scientists with the skills needed for the high-tech industries of the future. Socially & environmentally, by providing access to scarce bioactive molecules for further biological studies, the project could contribute to advancements in drug discovery & other health-related fields. To promote research outcomes beyond academia, the Fellow will actively engage with industry partners to share findings & translate them into practical applications. The Fellow will participate in relevant conferences to maximise understanding & facilitate the adoption of the sustainable methods developed in this Fellowship.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Collaborative Planning for Revitalising Superdiverse Suburban Centres. This project aims to advance revitalisation in superdiverse suburban centres by critically examining the potential and limitations of collaborative, place-based planning in Dandenong, Melbourne. In partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong, the study will co-design and evaluate a collaborative approach to revitalisation between government, business, and community organisations. It will bolster local collaborative capacity while producing new insights about collaboration and how superdiversity can inform urban policymaking. Expected outputs include journal articles, a practical toolkit and briefings to encourage wider uptake. This should enable other superdiverse suburban centres to further revitalisation goals through collaboration. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning Many Australian suburban centres are facing persistent urban decline and disadvantage. Most centres also host highly diverse populations. Despite significant public investment in urban revitalisation since the mid-1990s, many of these suburban centres continue to struggle with issues like social exclusion, flailing retail and physical deterioration. When revitalisation stalls across suburban centres, broader metropolitan goals for sustainable development are undermined, including ambitious housing targets for growing populations. This study directly addresses the limitations of current approaches and fiscal constraints. It offers a timely investigation into collaborative, place-based planning. The project will use the highly diverse suburb of Dandenong as a critical test site for pioneering an evidence-based approach to collaborative planning for revitalisation, one which engages governments, the private sector and the community. It will establish a collaborative planning forum to co-design, implement, monitor, and evaluate an innovative urban revitalisation strategy. It seeks to deliver greater collaborative capacity in Dandenong and improved revitalisation outcomes beyond. Results will inform a practical toolkit and be disseminated via a project webpage and local, state and national policy briefings. The project will benefit diverse centres by enabling urban policy-making to adopt more effective and inclusive collaborative approaches to revitalisation across Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

The atomic structure of ancient flows. The proposed research aims to develop a novel approach to the analysis of ancient solutions to a very general class of (both extrinsic and intrinsic) geometric flows. The new ideas will lead to a complete classification of positively curved ancient solutions in low dimensions, which will have far-reaching consequences for the understanding of singularities in such equations, opening the door to many new and significant applications. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics In many physical systems, a geometric structure (such as an interface or a Riemannian metric) changes over time in a manner 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, and form "singularities", the onset of which is an obstruction to a classical analysis. A robust method to understand (and overcome) singularity formation involves the characterisation of "ancient solutions". This project addresses the research gap in the analytical understanding of ancient solutions to a general class of (both extrinsic and intrinsic) curvature driven geometric flows. The 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 ANU 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

Caring for Country through Governance of Indigenous Cultural Knowledge. This project aims to strengthen Indigenous rules, protocols and practices for the use of cultural knowledge in Indigenous Land and Sea Management (ILSM). This project expects to generate new knowledge about the practical steps needed to implement Indigenous Data Governance in ILSM, using a novel Indigenous-led interdisciplinary methodology. Expected outcomes of this project include tools and practical exemplars that can be used to support the implementation of Indigenous Data Governance across the Australian land management and conservation sectors. This should provide significant benefits, such as the intergenerational renewal of Indigenous knowledge, language and governance systems, and improved cultural heritage and ecosystem management. Field of research: 4503 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Knowledges and Management The cultural knowledge, language and governance systems of Indigenous peoples carry over 65,000 years of expertise of Australian land and seascapes. Indigenous Land and Sea Management (ILSM) combines Indigenous knowledge and Western science in ‘two-ways’ approaches to caring for Country, with benefits including threatened species protection and carbon abatement. The Australian Government has committed $1.3 billion to ILSM from 2021-2028 to meet its ‘30x30’ target: to conserve 30% of Australia’s lands and waters by 2030. However, while Indigenous ownership, control and direction over cultural knowledge is recognised as best practice in policies concerning Indigenous peoples, it is yet to be widely integrated in ‘two-ways’ ILSM, threatening the success of the Government’s investment. This project addresses this problem. It will strengthen Indigenous Data Governance in the Arafura Swamp, home to 33 Yolŋu and Bi clans, 9 languages, and 27 threatened species, by co-creating clan-specific protocols for sharing cultural knowledge; maps and a computer database to mobilise cultural knowledge in land management; and a toolbox to support translation across Australia. Results will be shared with land management organisations and policymakers through workshops, policy briefs and presentations. By strengthening Indigenous control over cultural knowledge use, the project will ensure that ILSM delivers improved cultural heritage and ecosystem management to Australia towards 2030 and beyond.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Investigating marsupial biogeography and translocations beyond Australia. This project will investigate the biogeography of marsupials beyond Australia and New Guinea, exploring whether island distributions are due to natural dispersal or prehistoric human introductions. In partnership with the Australian Museum, this Fellowship integrates interdisciplinary methods to generate new insights into marsupial evolution and human-animal interactions. Outcomes include improved understanding of marsupial dispersal mechanisms, taxonomic classifications, and showcasing Australia’s museum collections. The project will foster public understanding of conservation efforts and position Australia as a leader in Asia-Pacific biodiversity research through international collaboration. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Marsupials are a beloved part of Australian life and make our country unique - yet mystery surrounds how these animals spread beyond our shores. In collaboration with the Australian Museum (AM), this project investigates how marsupials came to inhabit islands beyond Australia & New Guinea, exploring ancient connections with early peoples in the Asia-Pacific. Archaeological & modern museum collections will be integrated within evolutionary and biogeographic models, fostering international partnerships across the Asia-Pacific museum industry. The project will position Australia as a leader in biodiversity research, attracting future international funding and tourism for the museum industry. Benefits include strengthening Australia’s academic workforce informing conservation efforts for vulnerable marsupials and safeguarding our unique wildlife. Additionally, the findings will enhance our understanding of Australia's prehistoric ties with nearby regions, enriching our national heritage and natural history narratives. Results will be shared on global open access databases, furthering scientific and conservation efforts, and via digital/online content for public engagement and education. The project will support long-term partnerships with museums in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, improving regional knowledge sharing and wildlife management. Ultimately, the project aims to inspire pride in Australia's natural heritage and foster greater appreciation for our region's biodiversity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Upcycling organic ‘waste’ into novel climate-friendly fertilisers. This project aims to address the global challenges of pollution, natural resource shortages and climate change. One solution is to harness the complementary properties of wastewater treatment solids and food/garden organics to make a sustainable fertiliser for primary industries. The fellow will leverage expertise from industry partners including water utilities and fertiliser users to optimise processing technologies to enhance the fertiliser’s effectiveness and minimise environmental risks. The key expected outcome is development of an industrial process to produce climate-friendly fertilisers from organic waste. Benefits include diversion of waste from landfill, emissions reduction, and an innovative circular economy process. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Australia’s ambitious environmental and sustainability goals include halving the amount of organic waste going to landfill and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade. Disposal of organic waste such as wastewater biosolids and food and garden organics to landfill, not only contributes to 13 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually but also represents a significant loss of valuable nutrients. Generating plant nutrients applied in fertilisers is expensive and also generates greenhouse gas emissions. This can be avoided by recycling nutrients from organic waste back to plants. This project aims to upcycle such waste resources to develop new climate-friendly fertilisers. By combining organic waste streams, their complementary properties will generate a higher value locally generated material. The project will support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from landfill by storing carbon from organic waste streams in soils, which is key to climate change mitigation. The active involvement of regional water utilities and fertiliser users ensures transformative adoption of the research outcomes throughout Australia. This project will benefit Australia’s environment and economy by demonstrating viable circular economy pathways for organic waste streams and reduced dependence on imported fertilisers. Together this will support Australian food security and global climate change commitments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

AUSTRALIS – Deep time evolution of mineral systems in the Tasmanides. The AUSTRALIS project will unravel the geodynamic controls on the formation and preservation of mineral systems along eastern Australia over the past ~550 Million years. To do so, the project will develop cutting-edge digital Earth models that integrate wide-ranging observational datasets, across spatial and temporal scales, to connect processes at Earth’s surface to those within its deep interior. Outcomes include improved understanding of plate tectonics and mantle convection, and quantitative and qualitative constraints on the geological conditions required for metallogenesis. This will provide significant benefits, such as understanding where, how, and why certain minerals form within the Tasmanide region, impacting future exploration. Field of research: 3706 - Geophysics The world desperately needs reliable supplies of critical minerals, such as lithium and rare-earth elements, to fulfil the energy transition and to minimise devastating climate change impacts. Australia is at the forefront of the energy and minerals sector, thanks to its rich geological history endowing our continent with diverse ore deposit types, its proven track-record in production and export, and research and infrastructure capability. However, all easy discoveries of critical and strategic minerals have been made, and to meet net-zero targets we must look to buried deposits, including those along the eastern margin of Australia. What is now needed is an innovative, data-integrated approach that illuminates our dynamic planet in a new way. The long-lived eastern margin of Australia, a region known as the Tasmanides, was built by a series of complex geological events. The interdisciplinary AUSTRALIS project will unravel the deep-time geodynamical controls that operated along the margin. It will build a suite of digital Earth models back to Cambrian times (~550 Million years ago). It will link the surface and deep interior of the planet, via plate tectonic and mantle convection reconstructions. The models will utilise cutting-edge computational software and visualization tools, and results will provide insights into the first-order processes that affect mineral deposit formation and preservation, and will underpin future exploration of new, targeted mineral discoveries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Complexity and universality in nuclear fusion. This Future Fellowship aims to understand the foundational quantum mechanical mechanisms underpinning the fusion of complex nuclei and apply advanced computational techniques to optimize the use of nuclear reactions in applications. Nuclear reactions are crucial in many areas of science (astrophysics, materials analysis) and society (cancer therapies, medical isotopes, power). Expected outcomes include new realistic models for fusion, improved methods and models for application-relevant nuclear reactions and new international collaborations. Key benefits include enhanced expertise to support a range of nuclear technologies, and increased Australian research and training capacity in this strategically critical area. Field of research: 5106 - Nuclear and Plasma Physics This Fellowship tackles crucial questions relevant to both foundational nuclear science and nuclear applications: how complex reaction outcomes such as nuclear fusion happen, and how to disentangle this complexity in experimental measurements to support reliable and efficient nuclear technologies and applications. Australia is experiencing rapidly growing demand for nuclear expertise across diverse sectors of the economy such as mining, medical, space and defence. Major national infrastructure initiatives like nuclear medicine production, particle accelerators for cancer treatments, and nuclear-powered submarines underscore the urgent need for more skilled professionals in nuclear science and technology. This Fellowship will help meet that demand by supporting world-class training in nuclear science and high-performance computing relevant to nuclear applications, and inspiring a new generation to gain nuclear expertise. It will help fill critical gaps in Australia’s expertise base and, in doing so, support the development of nuclear technologies and applications. Through tailored workshops, it will also foster engagement between nuclear researchers and those relying on nuclear knowledge in government and industry, to maximise the wider benefits of the foundational research conducted.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Uncovering mechanisms of species decline to prevent extinctions. This project aims to improve biodiversity conservation outcomes in Australia by developing and applying novel analytical methods to uncover where, when and why species decline. Expected outcomes include the first continent-wide analysis of long-term range shifts among Australian terrestrial vertebrates and identification of how threats and the environment interact to determine patterns of species decline. This new knowledge should reveal why different populations and different species display different threat responses. Expected major benefits are new analytical tools and knowledge for land managers to prioritise conservation actions, supporting the Australian Government’s commitment to no new extinctions. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Australia’s biodiversity is unique, with numerous species found nowhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, many of these species are endangered. The Australian Government is committed to preventing further species extinctions. However, identifying which species are at greatest risk and the actions needed to save them is challenging as threat impacts vary between populations and species, resulting in different outcomes for different species in different locations. Combating species declines requires long-term data collected over large areas to diagnose declines and causal drivers; yet these data are lacking for most species. This project aims to overcome this major shortcoming by applying cutting-edge advances in statistical modelling and field surveys to measure species declines across our continent, taking advantage of the recent explosion in species observation records, particularly from citizen scientists. This will greatly improve knowledge of the distribution, threats to, and trajectory of Australian wildlife. Through close partnerships with wildlife managers in government and NGOs, research outcomes will be used to guide decision making and policy. Results will be widely communicated to Australians through popular science articles, presentations and the media. By enhancing the conservation of our biodiversity, the project will provide long-term social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits for Australia and help achieve our commitment to no new extinctions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Rebuilding Ukraine: From its War-Torn Past to its War-Torn Present. The project aims to investigate ways to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn communities so that post-war violence can be avoided. It expects to generate new knowledge of rebuilding during and after conflict by using an innovative approach to recover rebuilding strategies from an analysis of Ukrainian history. It will test their implementation in the present. Expected outcomes include new historically-informed explanations of how societies can recover from war. This should provide benefits to Ukrainian communities with whom the project works to implement these strategies on the ground, and to the Australian government in policy advice about Ukraine. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies Global conflict threatens Australia’s allies in Ukraine and NATO, global security, and Australia’s place within it. Australia has met these challenges by committing $1.3 billion of taxpayer money to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. But Australia is unprepared to meet the next challenge of helping to rebuild war-torn Ukraine now and into the future as a sustainable democracy. Through an analysis of Ukraine’s past, this project will deliver a “lost history” of successful strategies of Ukrainian rebuilding, providing critical historical reflections that can help support current and future recovery efforts. Books, public lectures, press articles and a website will support broader public engagement with these proven pathways for successful recovery. Specific policy briefing resources will be shared via a dedicated joint federal departmental forum with key government stakeholders, including DFAT and Defence, further supporting knowledge transfer, and uptake by key foreign policy agencies. Through their engagement with this research, this project will inform the next stage of policy development in conflict and post-war recovery strategies, delivering significant benefits for the sector by building foreign policy expertise and capability, and ensuring Australia is well placed to lead current and future post-war recovery efforts across the globe.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Additive manufacturing for the Wide Field Spectroscopic Telescope. This project aims to address the challenges of building large opto-mechnical structures for the proposed Wide Field Spectroscopic Telescope. This project expects to combine the expertise of New Frontier Technology and the expertise in astronomical instrumentation at ANU to advance the design of the telescope using new, light-weight structures that can answer the problem of supporting large optics. The outcome of this project is to develop new manufacturing techniques for large optical facilities using homegrown Australian technology. It benefits Australia by opening our additive manufacturing industry to the European market via the European Southern Observatory and bring the Australian astronomical community closer to its membership. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences Manufacturing capabilities are emerging as a national issue in Australia. High-value sectors, like space, defence and medicine are still very dependent on foreign companies for their supply of opto-mechanical components. This research will develop new national capabilities to manufacture and export carbon composite materials for opto-mechanical use with applications in space, defence and medicine. These materials help reduce the weight of those optics and make them work over a wider range of temperatures, therefore increasing their range of application. Combining the manufacturing experience of industry partner New Frontier Technologies and the optical expertise of ANU, we aim to demonstrate Australia's ability to produce opto-mechanical structures to the benefit of astronomy. We will demonstrate this ability by increasing our testing capabilities and producing prototypes of optical components to be used in research applications. These advances will also benefit Australia and everyday Australians in areas such as communication and medical imaging.

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

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

Unlocking the molecular controls of haematopoiesis Category: Medical Research

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

Understanding the mechanism of RELB glomerulonephritis to improve kidney... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Innovation in durable goods: expansion of electric cars in Australia. Highly desirable transition to environmentally friendly technologies such as electric automobiles requires well-designed governmental support. Short-sighted policies may lead to unintended consequences and do more harm than good. The importance of a secondary market for durable goods makes the policy design a complex dynamic problem. This project will produce mathematical and computational tools to explore potential regulation standards and stimulus programs in a simulated environment to find an optimal approach for expanding electric cars in Australia. Built on the team's groundbreaking research in modelling equilibria in markets for automobiles, this project will enable the search for optimal policy that will benefit Australian society. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics The expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial for decarbonizing the Australian economy, requiring effective policies to support EV adoption. This focus has intensified with the "New Vehicle Efficiency Standard" and the ongoing parliamentary Inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles. This project develops a comprehensive toolkit, incorporating a mathematical framework and computer models for realistic, data-driven, and theoretically sound analysis of durable markets, such as the car market. This toolkit will simulate EV adoption under various policy regimes, aiming to accelerate the transition and minimize costs to individuals, firms, and the economy. It will provide valuable insights into optimal policy design, helping to avoid unintended adverse consequences like rebound effects, market distortions, and social or cultural inequalities during the electrification of Australian automobiles.

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

Seeing through Space and Time: Spatio-Temporal Event Processing for... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Geometry of Character Varieties Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research