Australian National University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Ageing in China and Australia: Promoting health, productivity and wellbeing. This project aims to provide insights into the ways in which life-span development and social change in China have influenced the development of policies to support the health, productivity and wellbeing of people entering later life. China’s population is rapidly ageing, bringing pressure on intergenerational support arising from smaller families, migration, urbanisation, and growing social inequalities. It may also bring opportunities. Using an understanding of social determinants, cultural context and policy responses, the project plans to undertake cross-national comparisons with Australia and examine historical influences and social variations within China. The project aims to deliver a better understanding of how public policy can enhance productivity, health and wellbeing of an ageing population. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The Aging Population, Superannuation and Corporate Dividend Policy. The project intends to examine how population wealth and age affect one important aspect of corporate decision-making, namely dividend policy. Researchers invest considerable effort in understanding how demographics impact upon the need for, and structure of, government systems including social security and taxation, but relatively little is known about its effect on capital markets or corporate decision-making. Although individual investors are, by nature, atomistic, the project argues changes in investor preferences will ultimately prompt companies to alter their dividend policies. Pressure on firms to update these policies will come from superannuation and pension fund managers who, as fiduciaries, will invest money consistent with clients' revised preferences. The project aims to more fully characterise how Australia's ageing population will affect the public and private sectors. Field of research: 1502 - Banking, Finance and Investment

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Epigenetic reprogramming of development by nutritional factors in honeybee. The project aims to study the mechanism by which a specialised nutrition can change or even reverse the process of adult cell fate. The project will use a previously unexplored method of nutritional reprogramming of imaginal discs in honeybees by royal jelly and identify novel components of both the genetic and epigenetic systems that are most potent as reprogramming factors. The project seeks to improve our understanding of how epigenetic remodelling of the information content of the genome contributes to conversion of cell fate in vivo and in vitro. More broadly, the project could potentially establish the honeybee imaginal discs as a model for understanding pluripotency and environmentally controlled developmental plasticity. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Autotransporter folding: insights advancing recombinant protein production. Imagine a world in which any protein could be produced using a single production platform. This project aims to make this a reality by reengineering autotransporters, a large family of bacterial virulence factors with a modular structure that makes them amenable to rational design. The project plans to examine the structures and folding behaviour of autotransporters and reengineered derivatives fused to target heterologous proteins using biochemical, biophysical, and structural methods. It is expected that this project will provide fundamental insights into factors that dictate autotransporter folding and stability, which may enhance recombinant protein production and drive discovery of strategies to prevent autotransporter-mediated infection. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

What is safe about “safe migration”? Migration management in the Mekong. The project seeks to examine the claims that new policy models make about assuring the safety of labour migrants. What is safe about safe migration? Regulation of labour migrants is a central policy concern in Asia, Australia and elsewhere. In an attempt to address anti-trafficking, several donors, United Nations agencies, nongovernment organisations and Governments have launched ‘safe migration’ programs which, rather than focusing solely on the legal status of migrants, seek to develop mechanisms (eg hotline numbers) to assure their safety. This research examines the claims of safety that this shift from anti-trafficking to safe migration has engendered, and whether and in what terms labour migrants might be consequently safer’. Project results may inform aid programs and government policies. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Evolutionary analyses of short-read sequences from pooled samples. This project aims to provide biologists with a means of making sound, statistical inferences about evolution by using next-generation data from mixed samples. When biologists make statements about history, they use evolutionary trees, frequently reconstructed from the genetic data of many individuals. Next-generation sequencing provides large amounts of genetic data at low cost, but biologists have difficulty using these data for evolutionary research, particularly when they sample mixtures of DNA from many individuals. The anticipated value of this project is that it allows evolutionary biologists to capitalise on the benefits of next-generation sequencing, without sacrificing their ability to make reliable inferences about history. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Low dimensional categories. This project plans to study fundamental examples of higher categories in dimensions 2, 3, and 4, with the goal of understanding their essential features and building appropriate tools and theoretical frameworks for working with them. This work would have applications in several areas of mathematics including representation theory, low dimensional topology and topological quantum computing. Higher categories let us study the possible shapes of space (dimensions 2, 3, and 4, are the relevant ones for the world we live in), and also the dimensions in which we find the most interesting examples. The project plans to investigate particular examples related to exceptional Lie algebras, fusion categories, and categorical link invariants. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The Impact of Supermassive Black Holes on their Galaxy Hosts. This project plans to combine new sophisticated modelling with hyper-spectral imaging on the world's largest telescopes to gain a new understanding of the impact of supermassive black holes on galaxy assembly. Supermassive black holes exist in the centre of almost all galaxies. These supermassive black holes transform their host galaxies, fundamentally changing how galaxies like our Milky Way form and evolve. Despite the recent progress in theoretical simulations, observing and understanding the impact of transformational supermassive black holes remains a major unsolved problem in astronomy. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Warfare and the Archaic State in Oceania. The project aim is to investigate warfare in the ancient Tongan state through a study of earthwork fortifications. The conflict record for an Archaic state in Oceania that survived for 650 years contributes a new perspective to global research on warfare in complex societies. The effect of conflict is a prominent issue for Australia and long-term records of warfare in our region will improve our understanding of it. Intra-state conflict is the most pressing threat to political stability in South-East Asia and the Pacific and the project would benefit Australia by showing how changes to political systems are associated with phases of conflict and peace. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The Dilemma of Compliance: Political Parties and Post-election Disputes. This project plans to analyse post-election disputes in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia to determine why political parties refuse to comply with electoral outcomes and what determines the strategies they use to contest them. To date, scholars have primarily focused on why post-election protests succeed, paying scant attention to the reasons political parties decide to reject election results in the first place. This project also seeks to evaluate the impact that post-election disputes and their resolutions have on the future of political parties and democratic governance. The findings of the project may inform and improve donor and civil society efforts to strengthen electoral management and the quality of democracy. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Using vast new data samples to understand the disk of the Milky Way. How did disk galaxies like our Milky Way form from the expanding universe? This project seeks to improve our models of this process. Numerical models informed by observation are the key to understanding galaxy formation. The models predict the properties of galaxies in detail, but must be tested and modified relative to the observed motions and chemical properties of stars in the Galactic disk. Adequate data is essential but not yet available. This is about to change. This project plans to use observations from two vast new surveys to measure the chemical properties and motions of a million disk stars, in order to inform the numerical models properly. It also plans to use new techniques to search for chemical fingerprints of intense star formation events in galactic disks in the early universe. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Evolution at extremes: Macroevolutionary responses to harsh environments. The project seeks to investigate the capacity of iconic Australian plant groups (Eucalyptus, Acacia, Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea) to adapt to increases in extreme conditions. Australia presents many extreme conditions for plant survival, such as drought, heat, or salt-affected soils. Are some lineages better able to adapt and diversify in these conditions? This project aims to develop new methods to identify lineages most tolerant of extreme environments, detect enabling traits that contribute to stress resistance, and test whether plant assemblages in extreme environments are formed from colonisation by specialist tolerators, or by local species adapting. These methods may allow the prediction of species or communities best able to adapt to conditions expected under global environmental change. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Testing the links between ecological processes and evolutionary radiations. This project aims to apply recent analytical advances to massive databases of the phylogeny and spatial distributions of mammals, birds and plants, to explore the role of small-scale ecological processes in generating large-scale macroevolutionary patterns. The processes involved in generating large-scale patterns of biodiversity are still not fully understood, but large new biodiversity databases and recent advances in analytical methods put us in a good position to make significant progress. By integrating two separate research fields, community ecology and macroevolution, this project aims to make a significant contribution to biodiversity theory, and help to develop a more robust scientific foundation for long-range, process-based conservation planning. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Propagation and properties of solitonic matterwaves in atomic metamaterials. This project aims to develop and investigate solitonic matter waves interacting with crystals of light, known as optical lattices. Using a unique apparatus, the project plans to investigate how solitonic matter waves propagate in their ground and excited states, how those matter waves interact with each other, and how we can manufacture new optical materials to obtain different, and potentially useful, new behaviour. Although the proposed studies are purely fundamental in nature, the project has the potential to affect the field of quantum sensors, where solitonic matter waves are predicted to offer gains over traditional atom sources. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Can positronium fragment complex molecules? This project aims to explore whether positronium, which is produced in the body during positron emission tomography (PET), can damage DNA. PET scans are used to locate cancer. Positrons produce positronium, a matter-antimatter bound state, in the body during a PET scan. It is known that electrons can damage DNA by forming a transient negative ion that fragments DNA building blocks and it is suggested that positronium could damage DNA in the same way. This work will explore fragmentation of DNA nucleobases by positronium impact. The results of this work may contribute to new models of PET use. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Australindia: An environmental history of Australia, India and Empire. This project intends to examine the trajectory of environmental ideas and practices between India and Australia between 1788 and 1901. At this time, India and the Australian colonies served as important laboratories for environmental ideas and practices. Examining colonial Australia in terms of these environmental connections may broaden perspectives on Australian history and allow us to reassess the development of colonial understandings of the Australian environment. The project aims to examine how people have understood and adapted to changing natural and human systems and to illuminate the ways in which the Australian environment continues to bear the legacies of empire. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Electro-optical quantum transport in semiconductor microcavities. The project seeks to expand fundamental knowledge in the new area of exciton-polariton physics which has a range of practical applications. This project plans to connect fundamental study in quantum physics with application-oriented research involving elements of quantum engineering. The project plans to investigate the transport of exciton polaritons – hybrid light–matter particles that can propagate nearly as fast as light and are very robust. It may allow us to better understand fundamental features in physics and optics, and to model and construct optoelectronic devices such as quantum switchers, filters, transistors and detectors. The theory that the project aims to develop could be employed in different spheres of modern physics, chemistry, and medicine and biology. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Redox evolution of basaltic magmas. The project aims to contribute to our understanding of the redox state (the oxidation and reduction of chemicals) of the Earth’s mantle and how it changes in space and time. The redox state of the Earth’s mantle controls the valency of elements such as iron and the speciation of volatiles (eg hydrogen, carbon and sulphur) that degas from volcanoes and ultimately make up the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the changes in redox state experienced by various types of basaltic magmas. The outcomes of the project could help us to model the transport of metals in magmas and predict ore deposits, and assess the nature and relative contributions of volatiles that degas from volcanoes. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Australian Membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program. Australian membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program: This project is for a 5-year membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program, the world’s largest collaborative research program in earth and ocean sciences addressing international priorities. The program conducts seagoing coring expeditions and monitoring of instrumented boreholes to study the history and current activity of the Earth, recorded in sediments and rocks below the seafloor. The program’s aims include understanding past global environments on multiple time scales, the deep biosphere, plate tectonics, occurrence and distribution of resources, and generation of hazards. Several multinational expeditions are scheduled and planned in our marine jurisdiction and within the Australasian region. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Flow generation on the water surface. This project focuses on the efficient use of the energy of surface waves. It has been found recently that energy of surface waves can be converted and stored in the horizontal water motion near the surface. This project aims to develop new technologies to harness wave energy, including a novel method of accumulating the energy of random waves into a stationary surface flow and novel methods of manipulating floating objects by sending surface waves. This may help to stop the spread of surface pollutants or attract floating objects by sending waves towards them, and may help us to understand how rip currents are formed on the beach. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The Anxiety of Authority: Authorship Practices in the Age of Enlightenment. This project aims to provide a comprehensive examination of 18th-century authorship practices through a combination of computational analysis, traditional critical methods, and existing digital resources. Using techniques developed in the digital humanities for large-scale text analysis, the project intends to explore the interrelated concepts of authorship and authority as they were conceived and contested during the Enlightenment period. In so doing, the project plans to offer new insights into the long history of authorship as well as provide a working model for how these kinds of cutting-edge data-intensive approaches can engage meaningfully with the growing cultural record while transforming our knowledge of the past. Field of research: 2005 - Literary Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The politics of torture in Myanmar and Thailand. This project aims to explore how torture occurs in Asian countries of political, economic and strategic importance to Australia. Torture is by many accounts routine practice for police and security forces across Asia. How is torture possible? What role is it playing? By documenting where, when and how torture occurs, this project aims to determine what torture constitutes and analyse the politics that enable it. It is anticipated that information from the project could be used to develop effective interventions to address torture. The project also anticipates contributing to policy-oriented debate on whether torture can be eliminated, or merely suppressed. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Second shock: Australia's Great Depression and the legacy of World War I. This project aims to produce an innovative history of the Great Depression by examining how Australian responses to this crisis were shaped by the earlier traumatic experience of World War One. In both crises the structures of Australian society remained intact, despite great social distress and political upheaval. It remains an unanswered question as to why this was so. Addressing this question, the project intends to increase understanding of the impact of war on Australians and the sources of the resilience of Australian political and social structures. The project's outputs will be designed to reach a wide public readership. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Welfare reform and welfare stigma : scroungers, slackers and bludgers? This project aims to build an evidence base of the prevalence, causes and consequences of welfare stigma in Australia. Welfare policies and proposed reforms aim to reduce welfare expenditure, increase workforce participation, and promote personal and family wellbeing. However, stigmatising attitudes and discrimination towards those receiving welfare benefits may undermine these policy goals: reducing employment opportunities and causing poorer health and wellbeing. Through innovative experimental studies, the project plans to identify ways in which welfare policy can minimise stigma and promote employment. Project outcomes may provide an evidence base for the design of more effective welfare policy. Field of research: 1605 - Policy and Administration

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Multi-Bond-Forming Processes: Step-Economical Synthesis In Batch And Flow. This project aims to develop better ways to make and understand organic substances: the materials that make up all known life forms, our medicines, and many designed materials. Based on the previous development of powerful multi-bond-forming processes, the purpose of this project is to develop cascade sequences involving dendralenes in new and innovative ways. The project plans to generalise these processes and apply them in short total syntheses; extend the boundaries of multi-bond-forming processes and break new records; and reach higher levels of synthetic efficiency and selectivity by introducing the latest flow chemistry and automated reaction optimisation technology. Field of research: 0305 - Organic Chemistry