UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Supporting Choice for Cervical Screening: Implementing HPV... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Dissecting the heterogeniety of human tissue-resident memory T cells. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key to immune protection against infection and cancer, yet dysfunctional TRM cause autoimmune disease. Whilst much of our understanding of TRM comes from animal models, how these cells work in humans is largely unknown. This project aims to define the phenotypic, functional and regulatory heterogeneity of human TRM subsets in organs like the gut, liver, and skin using a unique human organ donor tissue resource. The expected outcomes are to generate fundamental new knowledge that will have significance for the development of new therapies against infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmunity. Field of research: 3204 - Immunology This project will generate fundamental new knowledge on how the immune system functions and is regulated in human organs like the gut, liver and skin. Knowledge generated through this effort will lead to new insights for innovative strategies for vaccination and immune therapies against disease, with the ultimate goal of improving veterinary and human health. These advances will impact a wide range of common diseases including infection, cancer and autoimmune disease, therefore improving the health and social outlook of many Australians. We expect to develop new collaborations to build commercial products and patent applications for improved vaccination strategies, encouraging multi-disciplinary research that will foster Australian research capacity and economic growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Trustworthy Hypothesis Transfer Learning. It is urgent to develop a new hypothesis transfer learning scheme that can overcome potential risks when finetuning unreliable large-scale pre-trained models. This project aims to develop an advanced and reliable scheme of hypothesis transfer learning, called Trustworthy Hypothesis Transfer Learning (TrustHTL). A new theoretically guaranteed heterogeneous hypothesis transfer learning framework will be developed to handle heterogeneous situations; a methodology to disinherit risks of pre-trained models and a new fuzzy relation based distributional discrepancy in heterogeneous transfer learning scenarios. The outcomes should significantly improve the reliability of machine learning with benefits for safety learning in data analytics. Field of research: 4611 - Machine Learning Large-scale model-based machine learning methodologies play an increasingly central role in data analytics, business decision support systems and other digitalized applications in Australian industry and government, but they are currently extremely vulnerable to risks contained in such large-scale models. The intended outcome of this project is to develop fundamental, translation-ready know-how to significantly ameliorate such risks and to improve the safety and reliability of machine learning and related intelligence information systems. This will benefit numerous sectors in the Australian e-commence, e-business, e-learning, and e-government landscapes. Businesses and government agencies will be able to increase customer trust and improve the sustainability of data analytics in dynamic and complex environments by preventing the risks brought from the large-scale models and reduce sensitive/unreliable predictions of machine learning systems. These potential applications will directly increase public trust in Australia’s transformation into a leading and reliable digital economy and society.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Laboratory detection and clinical significance of the cefazolin inoculum... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Fluid dynamics of underground hydrogen storage. The project seeks to understand the flow of hydrogen in underground porous layers. This will be achieved through mathematical models of the continuum mechanics governing the injection and withdrawal of hydrogen. The framework will account for a variety of physical and biological mechanisms. Underground storage of zero-carbon hydrogen provides an ideal route to overcome the intermittency of renewable energy. The project outcomes include a mathematical description of the response of two-phase flow instabilities to injection and withdrawal, and dynamical insights into the role of microbial growth on flow in porous media. Expected benefits are increased efficiency of hydrogen recovery and the reduced cost of site selection. Field of research: 4901 - Applied Mathematics The intermittency of wind and solar energy is a great challenge facing the current transition away from fossil fuels. Efficient energy storage is critically important for Australia to secure a low-carbon future whilst protecting quality of life. Large-scale injection of hydrogen in underground porous layers provides a safe, low-cost, and zero-carbon back-up energy supply. This project will provide new fluid dynamical insights to hydrogen flow in underground porous rocks, through mathematical modelling and analysis, and numerical simulations. The novel features that will be captured are the microbial consumption of hydrogen and the response of flow instabilities to the combination of injection and withdrawal. The major benefits will include a low-cost framework for selecting optimal storage sites and new strategies for maximising the proportion of hydrogen that may be recovered. Improving the economics of hydrogen storage is vital for its widespread adoption. Underground hydrogen storage is also a promising avenue for supporting the export of Australia’s abundant potential for renewable energy.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Laboratory detection and clinical significance of the cefazolin inoculum... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Housing, social wellbeing and climate change resilience in Australia. The project aims to investigate the capacity for current and future housing policy to build social wellbeing and reduce vulnerability to climate change. It will be the first systematic evaluation of housing-based reforms in terms of their social and equity impacts in the context of climate change. The evidence generated will inform the development of climate adaptation strategies across Australian jurisdictions. It will also contribute to improving housing suitability in the private rental market and reducing energy hardship. The project will deliver new knowledge using novel data linkage and rigorous methods. By focusing on social wellbeing, findings will contribute to an assessment and monitoring framework based on equity principles. Field of research: 4206 - Public Health Australia faces a complex set of challenges at the intersection of housing and climate change: the proportion of Australians renting is increasing, private rental conditions and affordability are of concern, energy hardship is increasing, and natural disasters become more frequent. While evidence to tackle these issues is urgently required, there is a lack of systematic evaluation of what can be done in the domain of housing to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience from climate change. This project will test the capacity for current and future policy to build social wellbeing and climate resilience and examine the social impact of Australia’s policy reforms in rental standards, residential energy efficiency, and disaster response. It will provide communities and government agencies with robust evidence and a framework for effective measures to meet current and anticipated social and climate challenges. This will support community wellbeing and guide policy action, leading to economic, social and environmental benefits to the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Charting the brain's wiring over the human lifespan. This project aims to produce a large-scale model of brain wiring over the human lifespan by utilising normative modelling approaches on state-of-the-art diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (diffusion MRI) data. This project expects to generate new understanding of how the brain's connections change with age in healthy individuals. Expected outcomes of this project include a reference chart for healthy brain wiring, and major advances in diffusion MRI data harmonisation approaches. This should provide significant benefits for the translation of advanced diffusion MRI methods, as normative charts for brain wiring will be made broadly available. This could have broad implications for interpreting individual diffusion MRI scans in future. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Currently, there are no reference standards that exist to understand healthy brain wiring. Using state-of-the-art diffusion MRI technologies developed in Australia, this project will produce a large-scale model of healthy brain wiring over the human lifespan, as a resource to benchmark individual differences in the brain’s connectivity. This project will capitalise on big data, which is transforming neuroimaging research, while leveraging collaborations both within Australia and internationally. The major expected outcome of this project is a reference chart for brain wiring, akin to paediatric height and weight charts. The development of such a normative reference for advanced neuroimaging measures will be beneficial both at the individual and societal level: it will enable individual MRI scans to be interpreted, which will help to democratise access to interpretable advanced brain imaging techniques, and it will also solidify Australia’s place as research leaders in diffusion MRI technologies. This reference could help to transform diffusion MRI from research methodology into clinical use in future.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Advancing Effective Prevention and Management of the Cardiovascular... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Unlocking The Agricultural Potential Of The Dark Genome. Sustaining competitive agricultural production in the face of climate change demands more resilient, diverse, and adaptable crop varieties. Studies on the genes of crop plants have had huge benefits for agriculture, but genes themselves make up only a tiny fraction of the genome. It has until recently been impossible to assemble the 'dark' space between genes. Using ultra-modern barley genomes, this project aims to harness information from the dark genome to (i) discover new genes with agricultural importance, (ii) illuminate invisible genomic features that can slow down plant breeding programs, and (iii) identify opportunities to transfer useful new genes into the cultivated gene pool. Field of research: 3004 - Crop and Pasture Production Crop genome research has had huge practical benefits to agriculture, but technological limitations have so far prevented detailed study of the the spaces in between genes, which accounts for the vast majority of the genome. This 'dark' genome has great potential to improve gene discovery and accelerate the process of developing new crop varieties, but methods necessary to exploit its great potential are very poorly developed. This study aims to fill this gap with new comparative genomics methods developed on barley, that directly address the needs of plant researchers, breeders, and growers. Methods for identifying hidden genetic barriers to crop crossing will improve the economics of developing improved commercial varieties, while proposing exploitable avenues for genetic diversity exchange both aids commercial breeders and provides invaluable tools for biologists aiming to monitor and conserve genetic diversity in both cultivated and even native plants--while expanding the reach and profile of Australian research in the revolutionary field of comparative genomics.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Delineating the developmental requirements for stem-like T cells. Stem-like CD8 T cells are critical for sustaining long-term systemic T cell activity. The signalling required for their development, however, remains elusive. Integrating multidisciplinary expertise, cutting-edge technology and highly innovative methods, this project aims to define the signalling cues provided by tissue microenvironment that control the development and maintenance of stem-like T cells, and thereby dictate systemic immunity. This project is expected to generate fundamental knowledge on basic immunology and T cell biology, which can benefit the academic, public health and biotechnology sectors by enhancing the international standing of Australian research on basic immunology and fostering new commercial opportunities. Field of research: 3204 - Immunology T cells play a significant role in defending the body against chronic infections and cancers. Yet there is a critical knowledge gap in cell biology about how long-term T cell response is maintained in the context of prolonged infection. This project aims to understand how T cells develop and persist over time to provide long-term protection against chronic infection. We will use genetic tools and mouse models to investigate the precise role of the tissue microenvironment on immunity. The project will generate new knowledge on immunology and provide the foundational research for biotechnology industries to develop novel treatments for chronic viral infections and cancer in humans and animals. Insights gained can also be shared with agriculture, tourism, and wildlife preservation sectors to combat diseases in livestock, native animals, and endangered species, bringing social and economic benefits to Australia. Key outcomes from this research will be disseminated through scientific publications, and accessible reports via social media platforms and press releases.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Hybrid Technologies for Tabletop Games . This project aims to develop design tools for hybrid games that combine technology with tabletop play. Through a detailed examination of successful hybrid boardgames and an iterative, human-centered design and evaluation process that explores embedding novel sensors and tools into boardgames, it will explore the design, use, and experience of hybrid games. Expected outcomes include design of innovative and reusable components, a framework for understanding technologies that enable hybrid play, and a theory-based design methodology. Benefits include innovation in the tabletop game sector, fostering social connections for distanced families, and new applications of games for simulations in health, defence, and logistics. Field of research: 4608 - Human-Centred Computing Boardgames are an under-explored site of digital innovation, with increasing use of technologies increasingly to augment and enhance physical pieces. The methodology for hybrid technologies developed through this project will provide implementable models for game designers, developers, and researchers, boosting Australia’s international contribution to game design. This will extend the digital games industry in Australia, which is worth more than $3.6 billion and is supported by government strategies at state and federal levels. These technologies offer new possibilities for simulation gaming, used in logistics, emergency planning, and defence. Playing games also contributes to social well-being. For the millions of Australians with connections to family and friends in faraway places, hybrid games that can be played across a distance can support and enrich these connections, strengthening these important relationships.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Interpreting services for Australian Aboriginal languages . This project aims to investigate interpreting practice with First Nations Peoples. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of healthcare interpreting using an ethnographic and micro-analytical approach to actual in situ interpreter mediated interactions. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity to improve interpreter service delivery for First Nations Peoples via the development of resources for best-practice communication in plain language and Australian Aboriginal languages spoken in Western Australia. This should provide significant benefits such as improving First Nations Peoples’ wellbeing and interpreter and practitioner health literacy, as well as enabling governing bodies to finetune multilingual policies. Field of research: 4704 - Linguistics This project will advance knowledge of interpreting practice with First Nations Peoples to improve national and international interpreter service provision, a high priority Australian government area, as evident in the Closing the Gap Commonwealth Implementation Plan 2021. Effective communication in people’s first language is crucial to improving First Nations Peoples’ engagement, wellbeing and their trust in institutions. This depends on the incorporation of Australian Aboriginal languages in the design, implementation, and evaluation of services. The project addresses barriers to cross-cultural interpreting by examining language and communication strategies within a culturally appropriate context, when interpreting with First Nations Peoples in healthcare settings. Outcomes include best-practice communication resources in plain language and Australian Aboriginal languages spoken in Western Australia to guide interpreting policy and practice. The project will contribute fundamental research to support interpreting services for First Nations Australians.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Biological predictors of clinical, functional, social and cognitive... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Nature-based solutions for the climate change-biodiversity nexus in cities. This project aims to advance knowledge of governance and implementation of nature-based solutions to address the climate change-biodiversity nexus in cities. Nature-based solutions offer multiple synergistic solutions for climate change and biodiversity, yet implementation is challenging due to complex governance and policy. The project will generate new knowledge of governance and policy, using transdisciplinary research. Outcomes include a framework for transformative governance, to support enhanced capacity for urgent, integrated action for the climate-biodiversity nexus. The project will deliver environmental and social benefits to Australia and internationally through new approaches to address these intersecting environmental crises. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning Climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected crises that threaten planetary wellbeing, and produce rising economic, health and social costs. Urban areas contribute significantly to this situation, making them critical sites for addressing the causes and responding to these challenges. However, planning and management of these interconnected issues often happens separately, and the potential benefits from a coordinated approach are lost. This project aims to identify new approaches for co-planning and co-managing climate change and biodiversity through nature-based solutions that improve societal outcomes through better care of the natural and built environments. Case studies of Melbourne streets, waterways, and the broader city will be examined, alongside international best practice in climate and biodiversity governance. In bringing these findings together, this project seeks to provide policy makers, urban planners, and communities with new knowledge on integrated approaches to climate and biodiversity action, including a practitioner-focused framework and guidelines. The results of the project will inform new approaches to collaborative governance and implementation of nature-based solutions in Australian cities. The project will generate environmental, economic and social benefits to city dwellers and urban biodiversity through improved governance, policy and management.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Critical metal fluid migration in shear zones during tectonic switches. This project aims to investigate why critical metal ore deposits form in inverted shear zones, which are zones of deformation that result from tectonic plates moving away from then towards each other. Numerical modelling of inverted shear zones will reveal drivers of ore fluid migration and will be combined with investigation of mineralised and non-mineralised inverted shear zones. This project will generate a new understanding of how inverted shear zones pump fluids through rocks to cause enrichment and ore deposition. This type of deposit is common in Queensland and the expected outcomes are improved exploration models, leading to discovery of new ore deposits, which is pivotal as the global demand for critical metals increases. Field of research: 3705 - Geology As the world moves toward net zero emissions, unprecedented quantities of ‘critical’ metals will be required in wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars. This includes rare earth elements and copper, which concentrate into ore deposits when hot, metal-laden fluids move through zones of deforming rocks (shear zones), which are weak rock layers hosting many of the critical metal deposits that form when divergent (stretching) tectonic plate boundaries become convergent (squeezing) during tectonic switches. The project will determine how tectonic switches changed fluid migration in shear zones and generated Queensland’s critical metal deposits. For the first time the geological processes that govern mineralisation in shear zones will be fully understood. The characteristics of mineralised shear zones determined through this research can be used by explorers to improve search criteria, potentially leading to new discoveries of critical metal ore deposits. These ore deposits are among the world’s richest sources of critical metals and new discoveries will generate jobs and economic wealth for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

A novel high-temperature concrete-based system for renewable energy storage. This project aims to develop a novel alkali-activated concrete-based system for renewable energy storage. The system is based on the excellent performance, durability and affordability of concrete, which is widely used in the construction industry. The project expects to generate new knowledge in concrete thermal energy storage by using a holistic experimental and computational approach. Expected outcomes include insights into the novel high-temperature concrete, the advanced numerical, data-driven model and the system, that is highly scalable, efficient and low cost. This should provide significant benefits in accelerating the use of concrete for energy storage technologies and fostering the national and global renewable energy transition. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering This project aims to develop an efficient, affordable, and scalable concrete-based system for renewable energy storage. This technology will enable a wide range of priority sectors to replace their reliance on fossil fuels, lowering costs and emissions. The state and federal governments firmly support the development of energy storage technologies to address the variability of renewable energy. Developing storage technologies is urgently needed to accelerate Australia’s renewable and decarbonisation transition in the fight against climate change. New knowledge in the use of a novel high-temperature alkali-activated concrete for energy storage generated through this project will place Australia at the forefront of research and development in the interdisciplinary area of construction and energy storage sector. This project is well-aligned with the Australian Science and Research Priorities including Advanced Manufacturing and Energy and has significant potential to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits to the nation by directly contributing to the decarbonisation and renewable transition.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial of Adult Patients with Perianal... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Single-cell metabolite imaging of the coral-microalgal symbiosis. Corals sustain some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth but are at risk due to warming and acidifying oceans. Coral survival critically depends on the photosynthetic microalgae that live inside the coral and provide the coral with nutrients. Many aspects of this coral-algal relationship remain poorly defined. This project aims to unravel coral-algal interactions with single-cell imaging. Insights from extreme environment corals will reveal how these microalgae may facilitate coral survival under future climate change, providing vital information for reef managers and restoration practitioners. By establishing a novel method, databases and networks, this project will create a powerful forward momentum for coral-algal research. Field of research: 4101 - Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has tremendous economic, environmental and cultural values to Australia. However, the GBR is under threat, as evidenced by recent repeated mass bleaching events that have prompted the national call for collaboration and knowledge advancement in coral resilience under the Australian Government’s Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. This DECRA project will answer this national call by creating a national and international network across scientific disciplines, industry and community and reveal the mechanisms that enable coral survival in extreme reef environments. This network and novel knowledge generated will improve Australia’s capacity to safeguard the GBR’s economic, environmental and cultural values for future generations. The development of advanced single-cell imaging technology in this DECRA project will establish critical capability in Australia with broad applications across many areas of biology and biomedical research, leading to new research opportunities and placing Australia at the forefront of the latest technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Population genomic methods for modelling bacterial pathogen evolution. This project aims to develop novel techniques to model bacterial genome evolution and improve our understanding of how major agricultural and human pathogens, including Enterococcus, Salmonella and E. coli, evolve. The project expects to generate new knowledge about how horizontal gene transfer shapes the evolution of bacteria and how these dynamics vary over different temporal scales. Expected outcomes include methodological advances that will enable the analysis of massive contemporary datasets. These methods and resulting analyses will provide significant benefits including informing the design of superior long-term interventions to reduce bacterial disease in both agriculture and health that are robust to the evolution of bacteria. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology Bacterial diseases are a major global economic burden, fuelled by the ability of bacteria to become resistant to treatment and vaccines. Such harmful bacteria represent an escalating threat to Australia's economy and public health, with estimated costs reaching between $142 and $283 billion by 2050. Bacteria can rapidly alter their genome, a process that drives their evolution in response to therapeutic interventions. This project aims to create sophisticated statistical and computational techniques to analyse large bacterial genome databases to study how bacteria evolve. Understanding this process will aid in devising affordable, long-term solutions to prevent bacterial diseases. For instance, if we find that resistance to an antibiotic evolves during heavy cattle farming, we can reduce antibiotic use on farms or test beef and dairy products for resistant bacteria before people consume them. To strengthen adoption of findings, accessible reports and presentations will be prepared for international and Australian public health and agricultural policymakers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Universal Model Selection Criteria for Scientific Machine Learning. This project aims to develop provably reliable universal model selection criteria to facilitate trustworthy scientific machine learning. Combining stochastic methods with an innovative geometric approach to basic statistical principles, this project expects to characterise, combine, and refine the most successful heuristics for designing and training huge models, such as deep neural networks, into a cohesive theoretical framework. The expected outcomes include a general toolkit for assisting neural network design at the forefront of scientific applications. This should significantly improve the quality of scientific predictions by facilitating confident adoption of deep learning methods into the pantheon of trustworthy modeling techniques. Field of research: 4611 - Machine Learning Artificial intelligence (AI) is valued throughout the engineering sector for its ability to make accurate predictions based on collected data. Scientific machine learning applies AI techniques to the greatest challenges of our time, including climate change and epidemic forecasting, forging an industry valued at over 31 billion AUD. Australia hosts 130+ startups developing medical treatments and advanced imaging techniques using AI technology. However, predictive AI models can facilitate errors that are hard to detect, making them less trustworthy for some critical tasks. This project will develop provable global diagnostics to assess model quality and package them into freely available software that ensures correct use of AI across many scientific and technological fields. Distribution to local Australian businesses and research groups that rely upon machine learning will provide significant commercial benefits, making their processes more efficient and reliable to the consumer, and placing them at the forefront of scientific and industrial applications of machine learning.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Raising the Bar: Learning from the Life Stories of Indigenous Lawyers. It was not until the 1970s that individuals such as Mullanjeiwaka, Dr Pat O'Shane and Judge Bob Bellear became the first generation of Indigenous lawyers. Over six hundred Indigenous people have since followed in their footsteps. Today, Indigenous lawyers pursue test cases for the victims of stolen wages practices, represent native title claimants, and are leading the conversation on the proposed Indigenous Voice to the Parliament. Despite such contributions, the stories of Indigenous lawyers have been overlooked by scholars. In an Australian first, the project will gather the life stories of Indigenous lawyers. It will generate new knowledge about their career motivations, and how they are changing law and the legal profession. Field of research: 4505 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Society and Community Despite the increasing importance of Indigenous matters in the Australian legal system, e.g. native title and the Voice to Parliament, only 0.8% of Australia’s solicitors and 0.3% of barristers identify as Indigenous. This project will produce the first in-depth study of Indigenous lawyers by undertaking interviews with practitioners from diverse geographical locations, ages and areas of practice. Participants will be asked about their experiences of racism, balance between professional loyalties and community obligations, and career progression obstacles. The project will benefit Australia socially by creating a better understanding of cultural safety in the legal profession. Engagement with Indigenous legal aid services, professional bodies, law firms and law schools will ensure that educational tools, webinars and a mini documentary developed in this project can be directly adopted by end users. Those tools will inspire social debate about the existence and manifestation of racism in the legal profession, and measures that can be taken to retain Indigenous people in the legal profession to attain parity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Improving life outcomes for Indigenous people living with a disability . This study aims to investigate how Australian universities can advance life outcomes for Indigenous people with disability through education and employment. Indigenous-led, the study is interdisciplinary framed within Indigenous knowledges. Yarning interviews with relevant university students and staff, and analysis of policies and strategies, will identify new opportunities. Expected outcomes include the generation of new knowledge to inform the development of culturally safe-disability confident practices within and beyond the university. This should provide significant benefit to Indigenous people’s self-determination. The study should provide significant benefit to universities and the Australian workforce who aim to become inclusive. Field of research: 4504 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing This research addresses the significant number of Indigenous people living with a disability who face both racism and disability-related discrimination. This too often negatively affects their education and employment opportunities. Research into improving pathways to success for university Indigenous staff and students with disability is currently inadequate. Led by an Indigenous person with a disability, this project will document the lived experiences of Indigenous students and staff with disability and identify policy gaps or barriers. Research findings will inform improvements to university practices and policy with a view to opening up new opportunities for students and future workers living with a disability. Outcomes will also inform the development of professional development programs that foster culturally safe and disability confident workplaces within and beyond universities. Reducing barriers to opportunities and successful participation in education and employment will improve life outcomes, thereby closing equity gaps.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Ultrafast tracking of physiological processes in the human eye. Recent developments in high-resolution imaging allow individual cells in the living eye to be studied at very high speeds. This project aims to explore a new class of scientific observations of rapid phenomena including: the capture and conversion of light energy to electrical energy, the spread of pressure waves through delicate networks of blood vessels, and fast eye movements used to navigate the visual scene. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these processes using state of the art technology, to reveal more about how the eye and visual system work. Our novel measures of physiological function will offer significant future benefit in the early diagnosis and treatment of disorders occurring at the cellular level. Field of research: 3212 - Ophthalmology and Optometry This project will develop cutting edge tools to study individual cells in the living human eye at ultrafast speeds. Such speeds are required to observe how light-sensing cells capture light and convert it into electrical signals, how blood cells are routed through the finest capillary beds, and how the eyes move to locate objects of interest. These interconnected functions are required to produce the sense of sight that most of us take for granted. By developing the tools to study these processes we will not only advance the science of vision, but will leverage these developments in future projects to study disease at the earliest possible stage -- when only single cells are affected. Our tools will ultimately provide new diagnostic utility and aid the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches across a range of diseases including macular degeneration, diabetes, stroke, and dementia. Such conditions are ubiquitous in Australia, especially in our ageing population, and represent a significant burden on quality of life and the costs of health care. The findings from this project have great potential for commercial development that will provide significant benefit to the Australian economy and broaden the reach of our findings beyond academia. The study of cells in the living eye should capture the minds of the public and venture capital alike; we will engage significantly in public talks, popular articles, and social media and press releases to further awareness of our research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

A modelling framework for designing more sustainable urban freight systems. How to improve the sustainability of goods movement in cities is a major challenge for society. City logistics involves numerous stakeholders, including carriers that are small and independent and have difficulty achieving high levels of efficiency. This project aims to develop an integrated modelling framework to facilitate the exploration of novel urban logistics initiatives that are more connected, collaborative, and open. The framework combines agent-based simulation, optimization, artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies to design and evaluate new schemes for improving the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of urban logistics systems, which will alleviate congestion and the need for new road infrastructure. Field of research: 3509 - Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chains Major cities in Australia have large metropolitan areas with low population densities. Goods delivery services comprise of independent networks of trucks, vans and warehouses that are under-utilised. Growth in demand for eCommerce and imported goods is increasing the amount of freight vehicles in cities, raising traffic congestion and pollution. Traditional solutions, such as increasing road capacity, won’t lower emissions and is very expensive. Various schemes, such as crowd-shipping, consolidation centres and on-line market places, have potential to improve sustainability of urban delivery systems, but current planning tools are limited. This project will develop a new tool to improve the sustainability of urban freight systems. This tool will design and evaluate new schemes considering all stakeholders - freight shippers, carriers, receivers and residents. Models will assess the benefits to stakeholders and predict the reduction in vehicle emissions and operating costs. Translation and potential comercialisation of the results will be accelerated through demonstrations to relevant industry and government networks. The research will have economic, social and environmental benefits to Australia. As well as providing a better service to customers, improved efficiency of urban freight systems will reduce operating costs, improve road congestion and reduce emissions, improving the livability of major cities in Australia.