THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Shedding light on Neanderthal histories using luminescence chronologies. This project aims to develop unprecedented reconstructions of Neanderthal evolution, cultural and extinction histories at previously undatable or understudied European archaeology sites using a versatile luminescence dating toolkit. It will integrate multiple dating methods, palaeoclimate proxies and palaeoecological data to provide comprehensive knowledge of the timing, context and nature of Neanderthal evolution. Expected outcomes include unravelling past human responses to climate change, elucidating regional occupation patterns, emergence of complex behaviours, and causes of Neanderthal demise; with benefits for refining our own species deep-time evolutionary trajectory and global expansion across different regions, including Australia. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology Most Australians living today retain some Neanderthal DNA in their genomes. By uncovering the history of the Neanderthal lineage, this project will enhance understanding of our own deep-time, shared cultural ancestry, including better understanding of human settlement of Australia. The project will build critical mass of sought-after geoscience expertise and develop techniques that will generate commercial and export opportunities across many sectors including mining, archaeology and government, and improve science-based tourism initiatives at Australian heritage sites. The project addresses the Government’s Science and Research Priority “Environmental Change” by improving knowledge of long-term interactions between human populations, ecosystems and climate. In turn this will refine current climate models and optimise modelling of future climate change. This project will generate intense international interest and promote Australian science and leadership by driving strategic networks with >25 international organisations at archaeological sites across 4 countries, including 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Safeguarding coral reef fisheries for future food security. This Fellowship aims to address the vulnerability of coral reef fisheries in Australia and the Indo-Pacific by identifying fishery targets that benefit human nutrition and will persist despite declining coral habitats and rising water temperature. This project will advance knowledge on coral and fish responses to increasingly frequent marine heatwaves, using novel methodologies rooted in ecological modelling, experimental marine biology and climate forecasting. Expected outcomes include (i) a comprehensive toolbox for improved management of coral reefs and associated fisheries in Australia and beyond, and (ii) an integrated socio-ecological model for predicting coral reef fishery responses under environmental change. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology Coral reefs fisheries support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide, yet are increasingly threatened by climate-mediated disturbances such as coral bleaching. Shifts in species distributions, population declines, and changing nutritional content of many fish species will likely impact human health. This project will provide better management tools for future coral reefs and dependent societies by (i) developing new predictive models that integrate climate scenarios, coral reef composition and cover, and fish distribution and abundance, (ii) mapping the vulnerability of coral habitats to future thermal stress, and (iii) identifying fish species that provide more sustainable and nutritious fishery targets in a warming ocean. Project outputs will support the adaptive capacity of tropical reef fisheries in Australia and beyond, not only by better safeguarding the coral habitats that sustain fish biomass, but also by improving food policies by considering nutritional quality as well as the volume of food produced.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Salmonella in poultry: improving vaccine efficacy . The central aim of this project is to increase the antigenicity of aroA mutant Salmonella Typhimurium vaccines, in particular Bioproperties’ Vaxsafe® ST. Increased antigenicity will affect the gut microbiota and stimulate a stronger host immune response improving vaccine efficacy and the duration of protection against S. Typhimurium in poultry. This will ultimately reduce bacterial loads in the farm environment, mitigate downstream contamination of the food supply chain, and reduce the number of human salmonellosis cases. Field of research: 0707 - Veterinary Sciences With an increasing human population in a changing environment, the challenges to produce safe, high quality food will also increase. Consumer demand for improved animal welfare may create farm environments that may affect how zoonotic, foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella Typhimurium contaminate food. Consumption of poultry meat and eggs is increasing and this increase is projected to continue. Thus control of S. Typhimurium on farms is critical to maintain a safe food supply. The outcomes of this project will improve S. Typhimurium vaccination of poultry and ultimately improve food safety. Improving the efficacy of the Vaxsafe® ST vaccine would have a significant positive outcome for commercial distribution of the vaccine.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Realising Australia’s rare earth resource potential. This project aims to reveal the potential for undiscovered economic deposits of rare earth elements within the Australian continent. Future supply of these elements underpins societies transition to clean energy and embrace of high-tech applications. The project expects to greatly enhance our knowledge of Australia’s endowment of rare earth element resources using an array of traditional and innovative geological research methods. Expected outcomes of this project include a greater understanding of how, where and when rare earth element orebodies form in the Earth's crust. This should provide significant benefits to exploring for––and discovering––new orebodies that are required to secure global critical metal supplies. Field of research: 0403 - Geology Australia has vast potential to supply the rare earth elements that are essential for our transition to a high-tech, clean energy society. This project will define the geological processes responsible for the formation of rare earth element ores within the Australian continent, and will train the next generation of Earth scientists working towards recognizing and defining Australia’s critical metal resources. This newly acquired knowledge will be used to develop novel geochemical and geophysical tools to aid new orebody discoveries, thereby accelerating Australia’s role as a global supplier of these metals.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Taking eDNA underground: transforming assessment of subterranean ecosystems. This project aims to improve Environmental Impact Assessment and monitoring of subterranean ecosystems by developing a rigorous, credible and practicable environmental DNA assessment framework. Resource companies in Western Australia are mandated to assess groundwater biodiversity under Environmental Protection legislation. Current surveys are time-consuming (expensive) and biased toward common taxa. For regulators, stakeholders and industry involved in this project we will provide real-world information and cost savings through innovation in understanding patterns in species boundaries and detection of subterranean fauna. The outcomes will be directly applicable to monitoring subterranean ecosystems across Australia and internationally. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management As an Industry Linkage Project the intended research has been developed in close collaboration with three of the largest resource companies in Australia (Rio Tinto, BHP, Chevron) (end-users), two governmental biodiversity stakeholders (Western Australian (WA) Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions, and the WA Biodiversity Science Institute) and one organisation responsible for WA’s environmental regulation (WA Department of Water & Environmental Regulation). As such the project aims to undertake research that delivers significant economic AND environmental outcomes to our partners, as well as being generally applicable across Australia and internationally. This project will 1) develop a framework of knowledge on the unique faunal diversity of the Pilbara region that has direct implications for conservation management; and 2) develop a novel environmental DNA (eDNA) approach using new assays and rigorous sampling methods for accurate, cost effective and reproducible monitoring of groundwater fauna that facilitate timely assessment of environmental impacts.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Reconciling with the Frontier: Accounting for Colonial Conflict. This project aims to widen public access to different kinds of historical knowledge about colonial frontier conflict, and thereby to contribute to contemporary processes of truth telling and reconciliation. It will use the innovative technology of Story Map digital software to open up new dialogue on how different communities interpret the past. In addition to scholarly publications, outcomes include an updatable story-map of frontier relations for use by the partner museums and history organisations. Other expected public outcomes include a touring exhibition, education packs on frontier history for classroom use, and ongoing community applications of the Story Map digital database for use in regional reconciliation projects. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies Reconciliation Australia’s biennial survey indicates that more than 80% of Australians are committed to acknowledging the history of Australia’s contested frontiers. This project will make a profound contribution to Australia’s national interest by building a regional historical story map of the colonial frontier that engages directly with current national concerns. By eliciting historical accounts across both rural and urban contexts, it will open dialogue on the nature of historical knowledge. Its collaborative methodology will engender broader social pathways for reconciliation that include the involvement of different community groups and cultural institutions. Its impacts will be realised in virtual and physical forms of display, both online and in public exhibitions curated by South Australia’s principal cultural institutions. By bringing together different kinds of historical perspective to shed new light on South Australia’s foundational histories of frontier conflict, the project will enable and encourage contemporary programs of reconciliation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Does neuroplasticity protect against late life cognitive impairment? This project aims to investigate neuroplasticity across the adult lifespan, using novel neurophysiological approaches to determine its role in protecting against age-related cognitive decline. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of human cognitive ageing, using an innovative and interdisciplinary approach. Expected outcomes of this project include a critical understanding of the basic neural mechanisms of healthy brain ageing. This will provide significant benefits, such as the neurophysiological knowledge required to develop novel biological markers to detect, as well as therapeutic agents to curb, cognitive decline in the aging population. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Understanding the nature and origin of the highest energy cosmic rays. This project aims to harness the capabilities of the upgraded Pierre Auger Observatory to identify sources of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. Their origin is one of the longest standing mysteries in astrophysics, but answers are now within reach. Expected outcomes of the project include mass estimates for every measured cosmic ray, and sky maps of cosmic ray arrival directions that take into account the cosmic ray charge, minimising the effects of path deflections by cosmic magnetic fields. These maps will reveal new information on the types of astrophysical objects capable of accelerating particles to extreme energies, a major step towards solving this difficult problem. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences This project aims to solve one of the longest-standing astrophysics problems, the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles in the Universe. Australian scientists and students will work in an international collaboration of 400 physicists and astrophysicists, using highly sophisticated particle detection equipment and applying new analysis techniques for big data. This work enhances and broadens Australia's reputation as a leader in astrophysics. It will provide excellent training and international exposure for at least 8 PhD students, who will go on to apply their knowledge across a range of physical science careers in Australia and worldwide.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Single-atom anchored photocatalysts for solar ammonia production. This project aims to develop single-atom anchored two-dimensional photocatalysts with outstanding activity, selectivity and stability for sunlight-driven photocatalytic nitrogen reduction to produce ammonia via combining advanced characterizations and theoretical calculations. This project will contribute to the fundamental knowledge on the nature and origin of the activity, selectivity and stability in photocatalytic ammonia production. High-performance and cost-effective solar ammonia production is expected to achieve in this project. This project will not only reduce the Australia’s demand for non-renewable fossil fuels, but also alleviate the environmental contamination, greenhouse effect and climate change in Australia. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, our project can finally determine from where these cosmic rays originate, yielding insight into our galaxy's evolution. Complex machine learning methods will be needed in a project that provides a world-leading student training ground, motivated by a century old mystery in astronomy. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences Astronomy is one of Australia's world-wide strengths in fundamental scientific research, and it is one of the best ways to lead young generations into a career in science, and space science in particular. This project taps into the world's leading teams in high energy gamma ray astronomy to study Nature's extreme phenomena in outer space. It will also utilise Australia's world-class suite of radio astronomy telescopes. This project will provide students and young researchers opportunities to develop into world-leading scientists in their own right. The project will further strengthen the tradition in Adelaide of providing students a rich training ground in the diverse areas of high speed electronics, complex data analysis, machine learning techniques, and mathematical skills, leading to rewarding graduate careers in high-technical industry, space science industry, defence and surveillance research, meteorology and information technology. This is particularly important in the new era of Australia's Space Agency.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Prediction of inertial particle focusing in curved microfluidic ducts. This project aims to develop mathematical models to predict migration of particles suspended in flow through curved microfluidic ducts and their focusing by size to different regions in the cross-section of the duct. New knowledge in mathematics and engineering will be generated through models that capture the two-way force balance between fluid and particles and by a novel use of asymptotics for computational efficiency. Expected outcomes are understanding of the physics that drives particle migration and the parameters that may be used to control particle focusing. This will benefit design and operation of microfluidic devices for particle sorting as required for "liquid biopsy", the isolation of cancer cells in a routine blood sample. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics This research on mathematical modelling of particle migration and focusing in microfluidic ducts is capable of providing quantitative information, not available through experimental studies, of great benefit to improved design and operation of microfluidic inertial particle sorters used in medical diagnostics and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. There is potential for Australia to reap commercial benefits through development of particle sorting technologies. An important application is isolation of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from a blood sample. CTCs allow early detection and screening of cancers such as aggressive melanomas which, due to our sunny climate, are more prevalent in Australia than elsewhere. Further, they signal the possibility of metastasis, responsible for more than 90% of cancer-related deaths in the world. A key challenge to unlocking the utility of CTCs is the ability to detect and isolate them. Thus this research promises economic and social benefit to Australia. Further, it will enhance Australia's research reputation and provide research training to a new PhD.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Child maltreatment, youth and adult offending: Pathways and prevention. This project aims to investigate when, how and for whom experiences of child abuse and neglect lead to youth and adult offending. It expects to generate evidence needed to inform preventive interventions that can alter pathways from maltreatment to offending by identifying when to intervene, which factors to target, and for whom. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of child protection, developmental and school factors that influence life course offending pathways, and the translation of these findings to inform prevention. This should increase the ability to effectively design and target prevention initiatives that aim to improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities who bear the costs of maltreatment and crime. Field of research: 1602 - Criminology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Consequences of water reform and changing farm adaptation in the Basin. This project aims to evaluate the consequences of, and lessons learned from, the past two decades of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). In particular, it will examine the recent economic and farm consequences of water recovery. Australia is over halfway through implementation of the MDB Plan, and has spent over $6 billion in water recovery to achieve basin-wide resilience, with billions more still committed. Project expected outcomes include pioneering new methods to track how MDB irrigation efficiency, productivity and other farm outcomes have changed as a response to water reform. It will also draw lessons from both national and international case studies to consequently inform more effective water management. Field of research: 1499 - Other Economics How to secure cost-effective water reallocation in the face of ongoing water scarcity and many different water users and stakeholders in the Murray-Darling Basin has been one of the most politically contentious questions Australia has faced in the past decade, and will continue to face in the future. The distress that has been felt nation-wide in regards to both: a) drought impacts on farmers and b) large-scale fish deaths in Menindee, illustrates the key importance of this topic for Australia. This project, consisting of independent worldwide water economic and policy experts, will inform this debate and identify the consequences of current water reform in the MDB; namely the impact of: i) buyback of water entitlements on farm outcomes; ii) subsidies for irrigation efficiency (both at farm and basin level) on on-farm outcomes; and ii) water policy reform on water and land assets. Research insights will have great relevance for many practitioners in the water sphere, in Australia and internationally. The project addresses three key National Priorities: 1) Food; 2) Soil & Water; and 8) Environmental change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipitation platform technology for making drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles, and a new bio-inspired approach for making hybrid drug-core silica-shell nanocomposites, and new materials for applications in programmed release and delivery systems. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering The poor water solubility of many chemical actives hinders the development of new pharmaceutical, agricultural, food products. For example, 40% of approved drugs and 90% of drugs in development are water-insoluble. New methods are needed for more efficient formulation and delivery of these drugs. This research will develop new platform technologies for making hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading capacity and programmed drug release, delivering new technologies for the manufacture of high-value pharmaceutical products. The novel core-shell materials will enable more efficient delivery of hydrophobic ingredients, and place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology and drug delivery research. The future applications of these materials in a wide variety of fields, such as pharmaceuticals (controlled release of drugs), and agriculture (sustained release of hydrophobic insecticides, plant protection agents and fertiliser) may lead in the longer term to considerable economic and social benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Selection of mixed strength moment restrictions and optimal inference . This project aims to develop consistent model selection criteria even if the target model only provides a weak signal about the parameter of interest. This project expects to generate new knowledge on model selection using new and innovative techniques. Expected outcomes include the quantification of the maximum information on parameter from weak-signal models; new entropy-based model selection criteria; and a robust investigation of the still debated hypothesis in environmental economics that with open and liberalized trade, developing countries would become pollution havens for dirty industries of advanced countries. Success in this undertaking will dramatically enlarge the pool of applied work involving economic models with weak signals. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics The project will create new statistical methods to guide the Australian government and businesses to formulate effective environmental and economic prudential policies based on the exploitation of large datasets. Given the emergence of digital technologies and big data-driven innovations, common quantitative measures used to assess economic policies and to build informed decisions in governments and businesses are failing due to their inability to extract the maximum information available. For many Australian businesses and partner economies, new techniques for processing and analysing big data are becoming an important resource that can lead to new knowledge, drive value creation and foster new products, processes and markets. The project will develop new quantitative tools to extract efficient predictions from big datasets. These tools will be of significant relevance for the Australian community in the age of big data.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

New Paradigms for Robust Fitting: Kernelisation and Polyhedral Search. Outliers inevitably exist in visual data due to imperfect data acquisition or preprocessing. To enable computer vision applications that can perform reliably, robust fitting algorithms are necessary to counter the biasing influence of outliers. However, current robust algorithms are unsatisfactory: they are unreliable (due to using randomisation) or too computationally costly (due to using exhaustive search). This project will develop new robust algorithms to mitigate these shortcomings. It will do so by investigating two new paradigms of kernelisation and polyhedral search, which offer unprecedented theoretical insights into the problem. The outcomes will contribute towards computer vision applications that are more practical and reliable. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing With a large land mass and an ageing population, it is crucial for Australia to develop autonomous systems to help maintain our living standards, protect the environment, provide services to remote communities, and reduce healthcare costs. Current autonomous systems are mainly confined to factory floors and workshops, due to their lack of capability to function robustly in unstructured environments such as urban streets, fruit plantations, hospitals and underground mines. A fundamental source of difficulty lies in the outliers (i.e., corrupted data) that inevitably exist in the sensory inputs (e.g., images, videos, 3D point clouds) from challenging environments. To build autonomous systems that can work reliably in the real world, it is necessary to develop perception algorithms that are inherently robust. The project will devise robust perception algorithms by investigating new fundamental insights into the problem called kernelisation and polyhedral search. The project outcomes will contribute towards extending the usability and practicality of autonomous systems to challenging real-world environments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Uncertainties in coherent transport of particles and intrinsic properties. This Project aims to quantify the uncertainty of a model output in terms of uncertainties in modelling assumptions, by developing new mathematical techniques and applying them to real-world data. This will be in the context of assessing the accuracy of tracking coherently moving structures (e.g., hurricanes, oceanic biodiversity hotspots, pollutant patches, insect swarms) from experimental/observational data sets. Novel, data-tested, mathematical methods for uncertainty quantification of coherent structures will be developed as Project outcomes. Project benefits include new insights into protecting the environment, improved uncertainty quantification in climate modelling, and the generation of interdisciplinary knowledge and training. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics This Project will provide new insights into protecting the environment and improving uncertainty quantification in weather and climate modelling. This will contribute towards national security and safety by helping take relevant action in protecting areas, and making informed decisions regarding evacuations, due to impending environmental disasters such as hurricanes or pollutant spills. Improved risk assessment will lead to less damage to the Australian economy. Furthermore, the Project will generate new interdisciplinary knowledge and training of highly-skilled researchers through interaction with one of the world's top universities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

East Asian Monsoon response to periods of abrupt global change. This proposal aims to investigate the response of the East Asian Monsoon to abrupt climatic change, under baseline states of both warm and cool climate. The research is significant as it utilises unique, precisely dated sediments from Japan, and novel approaches to quantifying spatial and temporal climate patterns. The research will improve understanding of the nature and causes of decadal-scale changes in monsoon precipitation, with relevance for constraining the trajectory of the future monsoon, and the risks of prolonged drought and flood. The findings will benefit the Asian people, for whom the monsoon has major economic, social and environmental importance. In turn, this will benefit Australia, via economic and climatic ties to Asia. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience The East Asian Monsoon dictates water resources and water-borne geohazards for approximately one third of Earth's population - in China, Korea and Japan - with direct economic, socio-political and environmental consequences globally, including Australia. Understanding the dynamics of the East Asian Monsoon has direct relevance to the climatology of northern Australia and Australia's surrounding oceans. Multi-decadal projections for future monsoon precipitation are contradictory, reflecting the complex spatial and temporal nature of the phenomenon. The proposed research will therefore reduce this uncertainty by quantifying natural variability and spatial patterns in monsoonal precipitation under a range of warmer and cooler global climatic states. The proposed research will strengthen collaborative links between Australia and Asia, particularly Japan, creating opportunities for Australia's innovation and education sector. Through the proposed research, new analytical and statistical methods will be developed and refined to benefit Earth and environmental science research on Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Multi-messenger particle physics: Hunting for Leptoquarks. This project aims to investigate the most significant deviations from our model of how nature works at the most fundamental level by taking a multi-messenger approach to mining data from particle collider experiments. The project expects to make definitive statements as to whether the current deviations measured in data are the result of as yet unmeasured particles and forces. Expected outcomes of this project are to build advanced algorithms and methods of data interrogation that will be applied at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Europe and the Super KEKB collider in Japan. This should provide significant benefits such as training junior researchers in advanced machine learning techniques and applications to big data analysis. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics This project will fulfil the chief role of the ARC in supporting the highest-quality fundamental research and research training. Placing Australia at the forefront of the international pursuit to challenge our understanding of the Universe, and to build and operate the tools we use to do so, is vital to our national interest. It is only by cementing this leadership position that we will continue to play a leading role in discovery science. If we miss out on providing our young, curious researchers the opportunity to pursue breakthrough science on a global scale, we do them and future generations of ambitious Australian scientists a disservice. Australians take pride in their scientists achieving great things and this enriches communities with a social and cultural strength and belief in their nation. The project herein will provide more tangible outcomes still, as it provides a cost-effective way to fund this science, developing leading researchers throughout their PhDs, who are likely to remain in Australia and become the scientific leaders of tomorrow.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

A detrital apatite archive to track crustal growth. This project will establish apatite as a new tool to study the evolution of the continental crust. The crust shaped the composition of the atmosphere and the oceans with consequences for the evolution of life through the availability of oxygen and nutrients. However, when and how the continental crust was generated remains a core question. Current models for continental crust development rely on the mineral zircon. However, zircons only record the history of evolved rocks. To address this bias we will use the mineral apatite which forms in less evolved rocks. We will develop a detrital apatite database of Pb-Nd (model) ages and integrate this with the zircon record to provide a more holistic description for how our planet developed. Field of research: 0403 - Geology The use of apatite to look into the evolution of the crust is novel and the scientific outcomes that will be generated from this project will contribute to Australia`s standing as a leader in geochronology. The project offers some unique benefits over more conventional approaches, including resolving the contribution in crustal growth from mafic rock types. The data-set for this project will provide absolute age constraints on tectonic events that are of crucial importance to the mineral and hydrocarbon exploration industry. With several target sample areas within Australia, the data-set will provide direct economic benefit through providing geochemical signatures of regional background and fertile domains that may provide mineral vectoring information to reduce exploration search space. Another economic/commercial benefit for the Australian community related to this project is the training of students in highly specialised skills (geochemical analysis, team work, critical thinking) that are transferable to the relevant national job markets (mineral exploration in particular).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Pacific Partners? The Australia-New Zealand alliance in the Pacific Islands. This project aims to investigate how alliances operate and why they endure using an in-depth analysis of the Australia-New Zealand alliance in the Pacific Islands, the region where the alliance has focused and in which there is growing strategic and policy interest. It intends to build a micro-level analysis of the influence of the behaviors and beliefs of individuals onto existing conceptual accounts. Informed by extensive interviews, it expects to advance understanding of how the two states negotiate differences in approaches and interests while working together to preserve their security. It anticipates pinpointing strengths and vulnerabilities in the alliance and contributing to a more informed policy debate about how it should operate. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science It is crucial to Australia’s national interest to better understand the dynamics of its alliance with New Zealand in the Pacific Islands. By announcing its intent to ‘step-up’ its role in the region in 2017 and then backing that announcement with significant development and defence commitments in 2018, the government has demonstrated that the Pacific Islands are a strategic priority. While there is presently no external power likely to use the region to attack Australia, the Japanese advance during WWII illustrated this vulnerability. The increased strategic posturing of China and the US demonstrates that the region is again emerging as a site of contestation. The alliance plays a central role in how Australia and New Zealand relate to one another and advance their security in the Pacific Islands. Through policy papers, media publications and workshops our project will provide both governments with knowledge to better understand how their alliance works in an everyday institutional and individual sense and how they can cooperate more effectively to pursue their strategic interests in the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatigue damage and establishing a new theory which links these properties to the remaining life of the structure. The project outcomes will facilitate the global trend towards predictive maintenance strategies, thereby generating substantial cost benefits, specifically, for high-value assets and ageing infrastructure. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering The project will expand Australia’s knowledge base, foster international research collaboration, and promote Australia's leadership in several fundamental research disciplines including material characterisation of metals and composites, ultrasonic guided waves, acoustoelasticity and damage mechanics. The project outcomes will lead to the development of novel methods for structural life prognosis and safety inspections, possessing intrinsically new capabilities. These new capabilities will support innovative engineering design, efficient operation of high-value assets and life-extension programs of Australia’s ageing infrastructure. The proposed research will directly contribute to DST’s current cost reduction activities associated with the maintenance and fatigue life management of military aircraft platforms. New solutions will also be developed to address the existing fracture and fatigue problems in the railway and power industries. The training of students and early-career researchers with skills related to fatigue and fracture will contribute to the prevention of large structural failures in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Advancing the Chemistry of Metal-organic Frameworks for Biotechnology. This research will advance the fundamental chemical science required for the emerging field of Metal-organic Framework (MOF) biocomposites. A significant challenge to the commercial use of enzymes (biocatalysis), proteins (protein-based therapeutics) and virus-based vaccines is their instability to elevated temperatures and/or non-biological media. MOFs can encapsulate and protect biomolecules, thereby overcoming this limitation. This project will develop fundamental parameters that govern the formation, stability and activity of these biocomposites, expanding the scope of MOF materials available for bioprotection, and enable new developments in the areas of industrial biocatalysis and protein/virus-based therapeutics. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry The storage, transport and manipulation of proteins (as therapeutics), enzymes, and virus-based vaccines is a critical component of the biotechnology sector. However, biomolecules are inherently fragile and typically require sophisticated handling procedures and costly infrastructure that prohibits their widespread use. This project will advance a strategy - called biomimetic mineralisation - that can protect biomolecules from degradation and thereby benefit Australia's biotech industry and companies using biocatalysis for fine chemical synthesis. The importance of this to Australia's national interest will be demonstrated in two ways, by preserving the structure and activity of enzyme biocatalysts for fine chemical synthesis under extreme conditions, thereby enabling their wider use in industry; and by investigating the stability virus-based vaccines in challenge conditions that might enable their deployment to remote areas without a "cold chain". The protocols developed for and the insight gained into biomolecule protection will facilitate translation of this innovative concept into commercial use.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The Proscription of Terrorist Organisations in Illiberal States . This project aims to investigate the use of anti-terrorism proscription powers in illiberal democracies after 2002. Although promulgated by the archetypal liberal institution – the United Nations – proscription powers are increasingly recognised as important tools of illiberal regimes in legitimising human rights abuses and suppressing political dissent. Using studies of Cameroon, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the project explores the intersections of colonial proscription, UN anti–terrorism norms and illiberal regimes' security. The project will generate new comparative knowledge on the deployment of colonial instruments of control in the ‘war on terror’ and innovate conceptual insights into the global security politics of exclusion. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science This project’s investigation of Illiberal states’ use of anti-terrorism proscription powers since 2001 delivers clear national benefits. Australia has made commitments to the United Nations Human Rights Council to work towards promoting and protecting global freedoms of expression and to seek early warning of mass human rights violations and abuses. Yet around the world today, illiberal states destabilise these aims by using proscription powers to suppress political dissent, legitimise human rights atrocities and subjugate ethnic minorities under the pretext of counter-terrorism action. This project addresses this troubling problem by uncovering how such proscription powers are enacted, and their relationship to international security norms endorsed by the United Nations. This project’s findings aids public understanding of global forms of oppression, enhances Australia’s policy capacity in better understanding of methods of suppression within illiberal regimes, and further improves institutional knowledge of how illiberal security norms become mobilised.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Climate Change and Burden of Disease: Current Risk and Future Burden. Climate change has had a negative impact on human health. However, few studies have assessed burden of diseases (BOD) for these climate-sensitive/heat attributable diseases. We will generate the first national picture of the climate attributable BOD in Australia, measured in Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY), the attribution from climate, and project future BOD under various climatic/demographic change scenarios. This project will rank Australian climate-sensitive/heat attributable diseases by their current burden and projected increase under climate changes, and provide needed scientific evidence to policy-makers in the development, prioritization and implementation of current and future climate change and health adaptation strategies. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services This project cuts across two national strategic research priorities: ‘Environmental Change’ and ‘Health’. Specifically, they include 1) Mitigating, managing or adapting to changes in the environment, especially climate change. By predicting and measuring the burden of disease of climate change contributing to an increase in health risk, it will improve accuracy and precision of adaptation response; 2) Options for responding and adapting to the impacts of climate change on Australian communities and improving the health outcomes for all Australians; and 3) Encouraging stronger partnerships between researchers, health, social and emergency services leaders, decision makers and all levels of government.