Deakin University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Multifunctional and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor systems. This project aims to design new, environmentally friendly coating systems for steel in marine environments by incorporating novel, non-toxic pigments that can be combined to protect against both corrosion and microbial attack. Structural requirements for these compounds will be determined through the use of advanced characterisation techniques to identify the largely unknown mechanisms of attachment and protection on steel surfaces. The components may themselves be dual active, or be combined to capitalise on individual protection mechanisms that provide a synergy whereby the combination leads to better protection outcomes. Such coatings have the potential to significantly improve the lifetime of marine infrastructure. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Women’s NGOs and gender sensitive policy change in Iran. This project aims to investigate how Iranian women’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) work to influence gender sensitive policy change in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This project will generate new knowledge on the causal mechanisms behind NGO-driven policy change in Iran, leading to a theory of change on NGOs and gender sensitive policy change in Islamic political systems more broadly. The expected outcomes will enhance scholarly understanding of Iranian civil society, and build the capacity of the Australian government to foster ties and invest in successful strategies for progress with Iran. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Development of two-dimensional nanoporous membranes. This project aims to develop new desalination membranes able to selectively remove contaminants from liquid effluents with greater cost efficiency and lower environmental footprint. It aims to do this by forming hierarchical membranes, where nanoscale pores generated across nano-porous two-dimensional materials are seeded with highly selective micro-porous crystals. These membranes will reduce the cost of desalination, developing new markets beyond the sole field of water desalination, in resource, solvent recovery and protein fractionation. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Enriching mathematics and science learning: an interdisciplinary approach. This international, longitudinal project aims to investigate the effectiveness of an innovative interdisciplinary learning approach in mathematics and science. Through collaborating primary schools in Australia and the United States of America (USA), it will investigate how students’ invention and transformation of representational systems can connect to support deeper reasoning and learning. The project will form the bases for new curricular designs that leverage students’ representational practices across science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines to promote more robust and generative knowledge. Field of research: 1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Making resource investment responsible in mainland southeast Asia. This project aims to provide an enhanced understanding of resource investment and its effects in Southeast Asia. The project will study Chinese resource investment in the neighbouring region's poorest countries, Myanmar, Lao and Vietnam, to produce new data and policy understanding of how investment in the extractive industries can potentially benefit the sustainable development of host countries. This project endeavours to speak to Australia's strategic interests as a key investor in the region, and the policy priority of understanding the nexus between resource extraction, community rights and environmental justice. Findings are expected to inform future policy making in this area, improve business conduct and strengthen regional resource governance. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Impact of screen time on preschoolers’ social skills and cognitive function. This project aims to determine how the quantity and nature of screen time interacts with parental co-participation to affect pre-schoolers’ social skills and cognitive functioning. Seventy per cent of pre-schoolers exceed current screen time guidelines and this causes considerable concern among Australian parents. This project will assist in evaluating how much, and which types, of screen time have benefits for social skills and cognitive functioning. It will also provide insights into the ways parents may best support these outcomes. Findings are expected to provide evidence for policy development and inform programs to support healthy behaviours to give young children the best start in life. Field of research: 1106 - Human Movement and Sports Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Phosphatidylserine: a regulator of muscle and mitochondrial biology? This project aims to characterise a novel pathway involved in regulating skeletal muscle mass through effects on mitochondrial function. This project will examine how degradation causes mitochondrial abnormalities leading to severe muscle wasting. This project is expected to advance understanding of how pathways interact, thus identifying novel mechanisms that impact on muscle structure and function. Understanding what makes muscle vulnerable to atrophy is fundamental to developing strategies to counteract muscle wasting conditions. Methodologies developed will have broad application in the field of life sciences research. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Labour, race and belonging: strengthening Rural Workforces and Communities. This project aims to strengthen understandings of race and labour relations in Australia’s horticultural industry. Horticulture is Australia’s third largest agricultural industry and the seasonal nature of work in this industry poses challenges for workforce recruitment and development. Such challenges are often framed in terms of economic and policy considerations, but debates about the ‘backpacker tax’ and exploitation suggest that there are also complex racial dimensions associated with the industry. Using an innovative historical-anthropological approach, this project will generate new insights into race and labour relations that can improve the equity and sustainability of horticultural industry workforces, and strengthen belonging within rural communities. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Beyond recognition: postcolonial relationality across difference. This project aims to improve our understanding of claims for and against recognition by comparing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in a settler-colonial context (Australia) and formerly colonised countries (Kenya and Papua New Guinea). Expected outcomes include new insights into the political effects and limits of ‘the politics of recognition’ in diverse contexts of post-colonialism. These outcomes are expected to enhance the capacities of Indigenous peoples to negotiate and of Australian policy makers, development workers and corporations to engage effectively and ethically in such negotiations. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

A glow discharge optical emission spectrometer for challenging surfaces. This project aims to address a critical surface characterisation gap in Australian research by the implementation of a glow-discharge optical emission spectrometer. Determining the composition depth profile of chemically complex surfaces that are rough, fragile, and air-sensitive is very challenging. The project will allow rapid and accurate elemental depth profiling of surface layers up to hundreds of microns in thickness and with nanometre resolution. Critically this instrument allows glovebox-to-instrument analysis without surface preparation, preserving the in-situ state of the surface. This will fast-track research in battery materials, new methods to control corrosion, and the design of advanced engineered surfaces. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Epigenetic models of plasticity in the global south. This project aims to investigate how epigenetics, the science of how environmental factors switch genes on or off, is reshaping notions of the body, heredity and biological plasticity in the global South., Using case studies in Australia, India and South Africa this project comparatively analyses how epigenetics is mobilised in public debates on responsibility, risk and the amelioration of disadvantage. This project expects to ensure the policy translation of epigenetics maximises social benefits and reduces risks of social harm, particularly to vulnerable minority groups. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Holistic remediation of PFAS-affected soil, water and debris. This project aims to provide a holistic waste-to-resource remediation strategy for per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination. This project expects to provide improved efficiency of remediation strategies for PFAS contaminated sites, to create new resource materials in construction and remediation from combinations of waste streams for the high-temperature destruction of PFAS. Expected benefits include inexpensive and effective treatment of PFAS contaminated sites, development of new markets around materials for environmental remediation and a mechanism to turn waste products into valuable resources, minimising the volume of wastes going to landfill. In addition, the environmental sector will benefit from improved implementation of policy around end-to-end and whole-of-life-cycle remediation of wastes and reclassification of wastes as high value resources suitable for construction and remediation. Field of research: 0907 - Environmental Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Novel audio watermarking techniques for tracing multimedia piracy. This project aims to develop inaudible, high-capacity audio watermarking techniques to trace the illegal copying and distribution of multimedia data containing a sound component, such as audios and sound videos. With the rapid growth of communication networks and the use of advanced multimedia technology, digital multimedia data can be easily copied, manipulated and distributed. This has led to strong demand for new techniques to prevent illegal use of copyrighted data. The project is expected to advance the theory of audio watermarking and enhance Australia's international competitiveness in this field. Field of research: 0806 - Information Systems

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Animals and urban planning: Indian cities as Zoöpolises. This project aims to examine the everyday realities of selected wild, commensal, and commoditised species living close to humans in six ecologically diverse, rapidly growing, medium-sized cities in India. India’s rapid urbanisation and declining biodiversity have critical global implications, but the complex social dimensions of Indian urban biodiversity are overlooked in current planning. Archival and empirical methods will be utilised, with outcomes expected to generate new insights into the complex social dimensions of Indian urban biodiversity for global and state urban and biodiversity policies. This will offer an expanded empirical basis for planning that sustains urban biodiversity in cities of the future. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic understanding about materials, devices and performance. This will significantly benefit development of advanced noise controlling technology and products, benefiting industry and the environment. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

ARC Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies aims to equip the next generation of researchers and the energy technology workforce with the skills needed to drive innovation, exploration and investigation so we safeguard our workers and industries. The Centre aims to challenge existing thinking and expand Australia’s capacity in energy storage and production. The Centre expects to create new knowledge and intellectual property in advanced energy materials, batteries and battery-control systems for integration into end user industries. This Centre will facilitate small to medium-sized enterprises to take a global leadership role in advancing and producing new age storage technologies. By harnessing the expertise of researchers and industry partners the Centre aims to deliver benefit to our economy, the community and the environment. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

A transcultural approach to belonging and engagement among migrant youth. This project aims to map experiences of migrant youth in developing and accessing trans-cultural capital, a set of skills, resources and knowledge accessed through multiple cultural repertoires. This will be undertaken through a comparative study of three highly diverse urban contexts: Melbourne, Birmingham and Toronto. The project will examine how trans-cultural capital can affect young people’s ability to instigate, negotiate and maintain socio-cultural connections locally, trans-locally, and trans-nationally. The project's expected outcomes will contribute to scholarly and policy discussions on migrant youth in the West and improve understanding of their overall social well-being. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Microstructure effect on energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibres. This project aims to provide new knowledge about how to manipulate the energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibrous mats by changing the fibre structure, components and mat configuration. Expected outcomes of the project are new fibrous materials capable of efficiently converting small mechanical forces and sounds into electricity. These high performance energy harvesting fibres will be useful for developing new power supplies, self-powered electronics, self-sustainable sensor networks and electronic textiles. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

The intergenerational origins of social and emotional wellbeing. This project aims to map inter-generational pathways that connect parental life histories, from infancy to parenthood, to offspring development decades later. The project brings together rare data from three long running studies of social development in Australia and New Zealand: The Australian Temperament Project (est. 1983), The Victorian Inter-generational Health Cohort (est. 1992), and The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Study (est. 1972). Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of the factors that strengthen or undermine well-being in families from one generation to the next. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Communicating with older people across transition points of care. This project aims to examine how health professionals, older people and their family members communicate in managing medications as older people move through transition points of care. Communication problems often occur as older people move between and within settings, often leading to harmful medication incidents. The project expects to facilitate medication safety as older people move across different settings and to facilitate cultural shifts in health care communication and opportunities for consumer involvement. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Parks for active living and social connectedness. This project aims to identify which characteristics attract visitors to parks and enhance park-based physical activity and social interactions among children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Parks are public places where people can be physically active and connect socially, but little is known about the best park design. This research will use interviews and photographs to identify the most important and appealing features of parks. These results can be prioritised in the design of parks to enable and encourage use of these spaces by people of all ages, leading to improved physical and mental health and reduced health care costs. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volatility problems, but the conductivity must be improved if these materials are to support high battery power. The project’s electrolyte materials can be used in lithium metal batteries, which have higher theoretical energy densities than traditional lithium ion batteries. This project will develop new solid state electrolytes, with improved conductivity, and use these materials in emerging lithium battery technologies. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Testing the projected benefits of living in a 20-minute neighbourhood. This project aims to assess the projected lifestyle benefits associated with living in a ‘20-minute’ neighbourhood, one where important destinations are easily accessible. Urban renewal and liveability policies advocate for 20-minute neighbourhoods under the assumption these encourage more localised and healthier lifestyles. However, this has not been formally tested. This project will compare the location, diet and physical activity of residents of 20-minute neighbourhoods with those of residents living outside 20-minute neighbourhoods. This project expects its findings will help meet the demands of population growth and inform urban planning, public health and transport. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Children’s physical activity threshold. This project aims to investigate children’s short-term responses to increases and decreases in physical activity above and below usual levels. Increasing physical activity is important for population health, but efforts to increase physical activity have largely been unsuccessful. Few studies have successfully changed this behaviour over time. Individuals may have a daily physical activity threshold which could affect efforts to increase physical activity. This project will fully test this hypothesis. The expected outcomes could inform the development of strategies to enable children to increase and sustain their physical activity levels. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Social engagement in Spiritualism. This project aims to investigate the sociological, anthropological and historical dimensions of Spiritualism in Australia, a small but highly influential religious movement. 19th century Spiritualist ideas about the afterlife have shaped many citizens’ beliefs that individual personality survives death in a family-centred spirit realm. Combining both sociological and anthropological approaches, the project will map the production and effect of belief on family, civic participation and ethics. This project aims to give scholars a fuller, more accurate view of religious dynamics in Australia. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology