Australian National University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Doubling the power of a unique astronomical survey facility. This project aims to double the number of fibres in the spectrograph on the UK Schmidt Telescope and so double the number of stars and galaxies that it can observe simultaneously. This would allow rapid and timely completion of two major projects: the Taipan galaxy survey would be first to test a potential discrepancy in the expansion rate of the universe that may signal new physics, while the FunnelWeb stellar survey would (in tandem with two space missions) identify potential nearby exoplanets and trace the history of the Milky Way. The benefits include high scientific impact for the two surveys, international showcasing of the Australian Starbug technology, and a national astronomical survey facility for the next decade. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

A facility for laser-based automated manufacturing of carbon composites. This project aims to create an advanced manufacturing facility for carbon-composites research by integrating laser-based processing and robotic automation. It will enable fundamental research on rapid processing of high-performance thermoplastics and metal-composite hybrids, including functionalisation of the composite through nano-material coating technology, and new instrumentation for structural health monitoring. The facility will significantly enhance the research capability in the newly established ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites, which will engage with Australian industry to improve productivity and material performance for industry sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and sport. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Improving plant reproductive success under heat stress: A sweet approach. This project aims to determine how genetic manipulation of cell wall invertase (CWIN) activity could regulate pollen germination, elongation and fruit set under heat stress using tomato as a model. Plant reproductive processes are highly susceptible to heat stress, which often leads to pollination failure and fruit and seed abortion, hence irreversible yield loss. Research has established that CWIN-mediated sugar metabolism and signaling may play crucial roles in pollen growth and fruit set under heat stress. The intended outcome is the generation of critical knowledge that will advance understanding on reproductive development under heat stress, thereby providing significant benefits, such as novel ideas and solutions for improving crop yield. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Ultrafast magic angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance capability. This project aims to extend an existing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for structural investigations of proteins in the solid state. Many proteins, such as amyloids and flexible proteins, cannot be studied by X-ray crystallography, solution NMR spectroscopy or cryoelectron microscopy, because they cannot be crystallised or are not sufficiently soluble, or are structurally too heterogeneous. This project will extend the capability of an existing 800 MHz NMR spectrometer to solid-state NMR. By offering ultrafast magic angle spinning speeds, the system aims to afford greatly enhanced sensitivity and multidimensional NMR spectra of protein systems not previously amenable to structural analysis by NMR spectroscopy or other techniques. This will have important applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Making more effective groups and group decisions. This project aims to devise strategies that a wide range of groups, such as those in healthcare, science, business etc can use to improve their judgements and decisions. It begins with a philosophical approach to develop a practical framework for understanding and working with groups. This interdisciplinary examination will include devising concrete guidelines that various groups can use to improve the quality of their enquiries and decisions. Field of research: 2203 - Philosophy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

The geometry and cohomology of moduli spaces of curves. This project aims to develop new insights on moduli spaces in algebraic geometry. Algebraic geometry is the field of mathematics that uses geometric methods to analyse algebraic equations, with wide applications ranging from cryptography to genetics. Moduli spaces in algebraic geometry provide powerful methods to geometrically analyse collections of related equations. Using innovative new techniques, the project aims to generate new knowledge about fundamental moduli spaces. Expected outcomes include the establishment of an active community of algebraic geometers in Australia. These outcomes should provide significant benefits to pure mathematics and related scientific fields. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Engendering climate change, reframing futures in Oceania. This project aims, through ethnography, textual and visual analysis to research the interaction between indigenous and introduced knowledge and experience of climate change. The project will highlight indigenous knowledge, agency and future visions in everyday lives and politics. Field of research: 1699 - Other Studies In Human Society

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Earth's intra-plate volcanic engine. This project aims to understand the mechanisms underpinning intra-plate volcanism. Australia hosts one of the world’s most extensive intra-plate volcanic regions. However, the mechanisms driving intra-plate volcanic provinces on Earth remain poorly understood. This project will use geodynamical models and observational data-sets from geology, geochemistry and seismology, whilst using the Australian continent as a natural laboratory. The project is expected to provide understanding about the constraints on Australia's volcanic hazard; reconcile geophysical and geochemical constraints on mantle melting; and improve understanding of mass extinctions, continental breakup and the genesis of metals, diamonds and hydrocarbons. Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Using anthropology of finance to study disaster relief. This project aims to broaden and re-theorise economic definitions of insurance through ethnographic methodologies and feminist studies of finance. Using responses to weather disasters and the financial products created to cover them, the project will explore cultural understandings of protection and damage through a Latin American case that foregrounds experimental and emerging adaptation. In doing so, the research expects to open new directions in the anthropological study of poverty and contemporary capitalism, and provide working frameworks to understand how financial services can engage meaningfully with communities affected by ever more uncertain weather. This potentially benefits communities managing disaster relief, evidence-based policy development, and public understanding of social and economic protection. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Visualising archaeologies: Art and the creation of contemporary archaeology. This project aims to investigate contemporary archaeology method and theory, specifically the proposition that art practice can create and communicate archaeological knowledge. Connecting contemporary Australian society with its material past is part of developing ideas about place, identity, and community. Using qualitative research and art practice-based studies, the project will trace the emergence of art-archaeology collaborations and investigate the application of visual methods in representing Australia’s rich heritage. Through the visualisation of archaeology and heritage, the project seeks to further understand how the past is mediated in the present. This will enable better engagement in public discussions about what Australia is as a society and how it values its heritage. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Molecular interaction between tomato and Fusarium oxysporum. This project aims to develop fungus-resistant crops. Fungal pathogens of crop plants threaten food production food security. The fungus Fusarium oxysporum is the fifth most notorious fungal pathogens of crop plants. This project will use the tomato–Fusarium oxysporum pathosystem to discover how Fusarium manipulates plants to infect them and how plants can resist Fusarium infection. Anticipated outcomes include reduced yield loss in tomato and other crop plants by using genome-editing techniques to develop Fusarium-resistant cultivars. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Mathematical structure of the quantum Rabi model. This project aims to find the mathematical structure behind the quantum Rabi model, the simplest model describing the interaction between quantum light and matter. The Rabi model is the connecting link in the essential interplay between mathematics, physics, and technological applications. Solving the mathematical structure behind it is expected to form the basis for solving related and equally important models. Such models describe a qubit, the building block of quantum information technologies, and so could realise quantum algorithms and quantum computations. Field of research: 0105 - Mathematical Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

How antimatter and matter solvates in liquids. This project aims to improve solvation in transport calculations and polar liquids. Solvation, the process of a particle becoming trapped in a liquid, is important in Positron Emission Tomography medical imaging. However, this application can only be described through particle transport simulation, which cannot address solvation. Modelling the dynamical solvation process of the electron and the positron, its antimatter counterpart, is expected to enable accurate simulation of medical imaging, acquiring the greatest amount of information for the smallest dosage of radiation to the patient allowing for lower patient radiation doses and more informative scans. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Semiconductor laser for adaptive optics in astronomy and space awareness. This project aims to create a laser system for use as a laser guide star. Semiconductor laser technology is a cost effective, highly reliable and compact alternative to expensive, inefficient, bulky laser systems. This laser has wide scientific appeal for research with telescopes in astronomy, and for satellite tracking and mitigation of the threat of space debris. Producing a sodium laser guide star in Australia is expected to secure the country's position as the premier provider of commercial-grade laser guide star adaptive optics systems for civil and defence telescopes around the world. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The effects of parental education on child health outcomes. This project aims to understand how public education policies can improve health. Common economic analysis of returns to education fails to capture the critical secondary beneficial effects of parental education on future generations’ health. These positive effects are systematically undercounted in the cost-benefit analysis of Australia’s investment in education. This project will use Australian datasets and natural experiments to identify how parental education affects the health outcomes of the second generation. This project expects to provide policy recommendations to maximise health, wellbeing and economic outcomes for Australia. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Regulatory science and traumatic brain injury. This project aims to discover how governance, science and society inform the design and implementation of traumatic brain injury interventions. Brain injury has significant health, economic and societal costs. Despite breakthroughs in brain science, regulatory approaches aimed at preventing and treating brain injury vary and have disparate outcomes, even among at risk populations. By studying brain injury, this research aims to discover how inequality affects public health interventions. Findings are expected to provide empirical insight into the challenges of establishing effective programs and how to overcome them, which can improve regulatory responses in and beyond Australia. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The effect of environmental disasters on primate behaviour and distribution. This project aims to study how natural disasters affect animal distribution and behaviour and to predict effects of future disasters. Despite recent increases in environmental disasters, no research has considered their effect on wildlife behaviour and distribution using quantitative methods. This project will create quantitative, multilayered models of climate tolerances and in relation to the effects of natural disasters and behavioural adaptations of affected animals. Anticipated outcomes include improved conservation programmes that reduce the effect of severe weather on wildlife when formulating conservation policy in the face of increasing environmental disasters. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Conservatism as a dynamic response to the diffusion of innovations. This project aims to investigate how resistance to new and foreign practices and technologies can be a dynamic response to rapid cultural change, rather than a failure to innovate. The project will examine the underlying factors that influence innovation adoption and rejection. It will examine settlement structure and ritual activities in later prehistoric Cornwall, which was simultaneously a key node in the prehistoric economy and a periphery, with a distinctly local material culture and way of life. The intended outcome is a model of innovation and conservatism, linking the uptake of new ideas and technologies to participation in local and more widespread networks of contact and exchange. This project will increase the profile of Australian research in archaeology and technology on the world stage. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Landscape genomics to make an endangered community resilient. This project aims to use landscape genomic techniques to assess how key species of the critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland community migrate and adapt under changing environmental conditions. Changing climate and land use threaten ecological communities, and alter environments at alarming rates. When species are pushed beyond their environmental tolerances, they will migrate, adapt or face local extinction. This alteration of the community structure affects the stability and function of the ecosystem. Expected outcomes include efficient use of limited conservation resources, ensuring the long term persistence of the endangered community. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The language of consciousness. This project aims to study language used to describe states of consciousness. It will bring the machinery of modern philosophy of language and linguistics to bear on semantic, syntactic and pragmatic aspects of the language of consciousness, as it is used both every day and in the technical contexts of the philosophy and science of consciousness. The project expects to fill a gap in philosophical and scientific study of consciousness, widely regarded both inside and outside the academy as a major test case for contemporary knowledge. Field of research: 2203 - Philosophy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Fast three-dimensional imaging of neural signal propagation using light-field microscopy. This project aims to use a light-field microscope to reveal the dynamics of sustained neural activity in the brain. The brain’s neurons are highly interconnected, so neural signals can be sustained in a repeating cycle. While this may underlie tasks such as working memory, its role in information processing is unclear. Understanding information processing is vital for finding treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. To characterise this large-scale aspect of neural computation, this project measures neural activity at high speed across large numbers of neurons. This is expected to provide evidence of the nature of sustained activity which may in the future lead to treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Effectiveness of tax base erosion and profit shifting countermeasures effective. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of measures to combat tax avoidance by multinational enterprises. Estimates suggest that tax base erosion and profit shifting threaten up to 10 per cent of Australia’s corporate tax revenues. This project intends to establish benchmark indicators based on financial and tax data for Australian and foreign-owned companies, and test them on proposed policy changes up to 2018. The project aims to expand knowledge of tax behaviour of multinational firms while providing timely and critical information for policy makers on whether measures actually improve the integrity of corporate tax. Field of research: 1501 - Accounting, Auditing and Accountability

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Opto-acoustic metasurfaces. This project aims to develop efficient nanoscale light and sound sources and merge them on an extra-thin surface. Interactions between light and sound waves at the macroscopic scale are used every day, such as in non-destructive testing and contact-less imaging. However, research into nanoscale light-sound interactions is new and has not realised its full potential. This project intends to develop ultra-compact sources of light and sound, tune them effectively, harness them simultaneously, and convert one to another efficiently, all crucial for real-world applications. This research is expected to improve technologies that use light and sound, including microscopy and spectroscopy. Field of research: 0205 - Optical Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Understanding Antarctic dense water formation. This project aims to use a high-resolution global modelling approach to understand how Antarctic dense water formation changed in past climates and how to predict future changes. The Southern Ocean is critical in the uptake of heat and carbon from the atmosphere into the deep ocean. The sinking of cold and saline dense water around the coast of Antarctica transports heat and carbon into the deep ocean. Climate models fail to simulate this process and little is known about how dense water formation responds to changes in climate. Identification of critical vulnerabilities associated with Antarctic ice shelf melting and sea level rise will guide Southern Ocean observation systems and Australian climate adaptation programs. Field of research: 0405 - Oceanography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Enhancing resistance to wheat stripe rust disease. This project aims to investigate why wheat succumbs to stripe rust fungus, a grave threat to global wheat production. Wheat is the primary agricultural and revenue crop of Australia, cultivated since early European settlement. Severe disease epidemics arise when the fast evolving rust pathogen breaks down host plant genetic resistance. This project will investigate the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen recognition and the consequences of pathogen variation to determine the causes of resistance breakdown. The expected outcome is robust rust-resistant wheat cultivars to maintain global food security. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology