UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Democratisation of Deep Learning: Neural Architecture Search at Low Cost. The need to manually design Deep Learning-based Neural Networks (DNNs) limits their usage to AI experts and hinders the exploitation of their true potential more broadly, e.g., in farming, humanities. We aim to replace this tedious process through novel AI methods capable of generating DNNs that can perform significantly better and at a lower computational cost than manually designed DNNs. We further expand this idea to solve complex real-world problems with both labelled and unlabelled data found in various applications including energy and climate change. The expected outcomes include the novel AI methods, highly trained AI researchers and a number of critical applications that will bring significant benefits to Australia and the world. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing Deep Learning uses data to make decisions or predictions. This project will make sophisticated AI tools, Deep Learning-based Neural Networks (DNN), available to non-experts at lower cost to solve complex real-world problems. As well as increasing usage, these more versatile new methods will be applicable to a broad range of fields. In energy demand forecasting, DNN could predict customer behaviour in electric vehicles, providing efficient modelling of the grid electricity usage with cost savings and environmental benefits for both commuters and the energy sector. Using data analysis of satellite images, DNN can investigate climate change and emergency events. It can enhance accuracy and precision in predicting and measuring environmental change impacts, and improve response and adaption to gradual changes in climate and catastrophic natural disasters. With many broad applications for DNN, this project has the potential to deliver significant economic, commercial, environmental, social and cultural benefits to Australia and globally.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A night shift: planning for night time economies and workers in Australia. We need to talk about the night. If cities are now increasingly recognised as ‘24/7’ places, little attention is paid to their nights and even less so to those workers who keep cities functioning afterhours by supporting a $134bn night-time economy. This project aims to deliver this needed shift to night-time thinking in urban planning and policy. It offers detailed assessments of the role of night-time work in 14 Australian capital and regional cities. It investigates conditions, contributions, voices and spaces that characterise night-time work. Partnering directly with local councils, it experiments with transferrable action-oriented and policy-ready methods, seeking to build capacity for ‘night literacy’ in cities and urban research. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography The night-time economy is a key driver of growth. It employs 1.17m people across Australia and generates a $134bn turnover. Yet a ‘night’ focus is often lacking from local, state and national policy. Further, limited attention is typically centred on the ‘consumption’ side of Australia’s night-time economy. Those hundreds of thousands who work to keep our 24/7 cities functioning, whether in the entertainment and hospitality sectors or as maintenance, environmental and healthcare workers, are rarely in the spotlight. It is imperative to better understand and develop the night-time economy sustainably, without leaving those who uphold it behind. Night equality challenges are pressing. Around 1-in-9 of all Australian employees work night shifts, most in low pay and in precarious health conditions. This project provides tangible evidence to tackle how night shift work can be better recognised, planned for and supported, working directly with capital cities and major regional centres to enhance their engagement with this critical workforce.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Communities, Kava, Court Orders: The Ways of Possessing the Pacific City. This project aims to understand how urban tenure security is negotiated, claimed and/or recognised amid increasing stress on urban resources and competing potential sources of value for urban land. Through small-scale community-facing research, it intends to produce evidence of how residential tenure works on customary lands around Port Vila, Vanuatu. Expected outcomes include case studies and typologies showing the types of tenure relationships in place. This should have significant benefits for government and donors working to prevent displacement and developing plans for inclusive urbanisation into the future. Local populations should also benefit through increased awareness of the value and standing of customary tenure arrangements. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning Project findings intend to improve understanding of how customary tenure operates in Pacific cities. This evidence base has the potential to increase the reach and effectiveness of Australian aid funds targeting Pacific cities through DFAT’s Pacific Step-Up. How tenure is established and maintained has been a stumbling block for effective urban development and infrastructural strengthening in Vanuatu and our other Pacific neighbours. As such, the project addresses the Government’s Science and Research Priority: Environmental Change; specifically, the Practical Challenge to build resilient urban, rural and regional infrastructure. Improved understanding in this area will contribute to inclusive development planning, due to recognition of stakeholders beyond landowners and those with formal title or tenure rights in the urban Pacific. This will enable Australia to further its goals to work in equitable development partnerships and help maintain stability and security across the region.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The neural dynamics of real-time processing in the brain. The aim of this project is to investigate a new model for predictive coding of sensory processing in the brain in which the brain compensates for the time delays in neural transmission by maintaining a real-time temporal alignment of the neural activity. This results in a representation of sensory information that is aligned in time across the cortex, offering a new fundamental principle for how the brain functions in a highly dynamic world whose outcomes would provide a deeper understanding of brain function. It could also have profound significance for artificial intelligence and brain-inspired technologies, as well as benefit neural sensory prostheses and brain-machine interfaces. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing When hitting a tennis ball, our brains manage rapid perception and response faster than our nervous system can transmit. How we do this remains a mystery. Unlocking this knowledge will improve the complexity of cognitive tasks in artificial intelligence, computing systems and brain-inspired technologies. This project will create new algorithms to mimic the brain by describing how the brain functions in real time. It will lead to new generations of AI and novel medical technologies able to handle rapidly changing stimuli. Such commercial applications of AI are far-ranging, including remote sensors, autonomous systems and wearable devices. In health, outcomes will greatly enhance neural prostheses, such as cochlear, and brain machine interfaces. This will have economic and social benefits for Australia, strengthen our world-leading reputation in bionics, foster skilled people for academic research and create unique opportunities for industries in neuro-technology and AI in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Neural circuitry of maternal behaviour. Elaborate maternal care is a defining characteristic of mammalian species, suggesting conserved brain pathways evolved to orchestrate these responses. The neural substrates underscoring maternal behaviour have not been fully elucidated. This project aims to investigate the brain circuitry underpinning maternal care using a multidisciplinary approach combining behavioural assays and pharmacogenetic manipulations in mice alongside sophisticated molecular and functional analyses. The outcomes of this project are expected to improve our understanding of how specific brain pathways govern maternal behaviour. The novel insight gained is expected to advance theories regarding the organisation of maternal care and enable their practical testing. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology This project seeks to improve understanding of how specific pathways in the brain control maternal behaviour, an area of research that remains underexplored, yet is of great social and economic importance. For example, appropriate maternal behaviour is critical to livestock production and our findings could lead to the ability to control aberrant maternal behaviour. This project builds capacity for Australia by the adoption of novel technology to ensure a critical mass of expertise within Australian universities, and by developing the next generation of scientists, who will be trained at the cutting edge of neuroscience research. This research will also advance Australia’s profile as a leader at the forefront of basic scientific research. Research findings will likely spawn new collaborations around the world that will promote opportunities for Australia to lead international projects, and bring national benefits via joint international research programs and exchanges of expertise, personnel, technology, and reagents.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Using RNA interference to combat the worst emerging disease of wildlife. This project aims to develop a novel method of disease control in wildlife. It will use recent advances in RNA interference technology to knockdown virulence genes in an emerging pathogen that threatens biodiversity. Pathogens such as the amphibian chytrid fungus continue to cause widespread extinction and urgently require better control methods. RNA interference has been used to increase disease resistance to fungi in plants but adapting this approach for animals will have wide relevance in combatting fungi and other pathogens. The specific outcomes of this method will be to increase survival rates in a broad range of frog species to improve the success of captive release programs worldwide and hence save frogs from extinction. Field of research: 0707 - Veterinary Sciences This multidisciplinary project aims to provide social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits by conserving Australia's frogs including the iconic Australian corroboree frogs. It will restore frogs and hence improve ecosystem health in Australia's wetlands and save millions of dollars spent on maintaining captive assurance colonies of wildlife. Subsequently it could lead to effective, streamlined and inexpensive methods for fighting fungal and other emerging diseases that are threatening biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide. The project will benefit Australia by fostering collaborations between universities and CSIRO, as well as with leading research laboratories in Europe. This will result in Australian researchers continuing to excel in the growing field of wildlife health, while tackling aims of the national Threat Abatement Plan for chytridiomycosis.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Engineering screw piles to secure offshore wind energy turbines. This project aims to tackle the scientific challenges of using screw piles as foundations for deep water offshore wind turbines. Current foundations for offshore infrastructure developments have reached their limits, and conventional screw piles are designed for land use. This project will use innovative geotechnical methods to develop verified designs, guidelines and numerical tools for predicting the forces required to install screw piles into the seabed and their capacity to resist extreme wind and wave forces relevant to these structures. As foundations cost up to 35% of construction, screw piles will provide significant economic and environmental benefits in reducing costs and unlocking substantial renewable energy from our oceans. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering Wind turbines installed offshore require strong foundations, especially when turbines are large or further offshore in deep water, where cyclic winds and waves are extreme. This project will use a land-based foundation system, screw piles, to design a new foundation system for the installation and anchoring of large offshore wind turbines in deep waters. These new engineering tools will create a world-first ability to build large offshore screw pile foundation systems that can withstand extreme weather. This project will build on Australia’s leadership in the offshore industry providing significant economic, environmental and social benefits. Firstly, it will reduce costs of offshore wind turbine farms as foundations account for 35% of capital costs. Secondly, it will unlock new areas for Australia’s renewable wind reserves providing cheap renewable energy production for Australians. Finally, it will help secure Australia’s environmental and economic future in the global transition from traditional hydrocarbons to renewable energy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Remote sensing of biotic stress with hyperspectral-fluorescence imaging. This project aims to investigate new indicators of crop biotic stress using innovative airborne remote sensing and imaging spectroscopy for biosecurity applications. Current satellites used to monitor crops and forests do not meet the spectral and spatial details that are required for the early -previsual- detection of biotic and abiotic stress. Accordingly, this project's significance focuses on new insights to detect the alteration of photosynthetic indicators of plant functioning, building on recent breakthroughs with airborne hyperspectral imaging and remote sensing technologies. The outcomes will provide significant benefits to Australia in the detection of harmful diseases and improved water and nutrient monitoring methods. Field of research: 0909 - Geomatic Engineering Robust remote sensing monitoring methods to enhance biosecurity and support the efficient use of water and nutrients are critical for Australia. Findings from this study will underpin innovative surveillance methods which are urgently needed due to increases in harmful diseases worldwide that threaten crops and plants. For example, the plant bacteria, Xylella fastidiosa, currently exotic to Australia, is the top threat for the country, and is destroying large agricultural areas in Europe, America and Asia. Other harmful diseases are already established in Australia, such as TR4, which is affecting banana plantations worldwide. The efficient use of resources such as water and nitrogen for fertilization is vital to ensure sustainability. Developing robust indicators of early (pre-visual) crop stress due to biotic and abiotic sources is thus essential. Remote sensing plays a critical role as part of innovative surveillance protocols being adopted, with significant national benefits for the Australian economy and environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Defining and engineering the rhizosphere for Australian rainfall patterns. The manner in which plants use carbon and water defines agricultural and natural landscapes. Today's models that predict plant improvement rely on carbon and water usage by plant leaves. However, the first interaction between plants, carbon and water occurs in the rhizosphere; a diverse zone with dynamic root-microbiome interactions. We will use advanced visualisation and mathematics to determine fine scale relationships between microbes and roots in the rhizosphere when exposed to water levels reflective of current and projected rainfall values. From generated knowledge of water and carbon dynamics caused by intimate microbe-root interactions, we will provide water saving, soil regeneration and improved carbon biosequestration strategies. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology The economic prosperity of Australian agriculture and the sustainability of natural landscapes may increase from project outcomes. Australian climates cycle through drought and rainfall, however plant and soil sciences; the foundation of agriculture; rarely cover water dynamics. It is urgent that we address this gap: rainfall events are shortening from five to two days due to climate change, and today's climate models use leaves, because roots and their soil: the rhizosphere, are hard to study. We will obtain unique data and new mathematics to deal with plant roots and soil processes in Australian climates, to capture rainfall more effectively, allowing use of nutrients and land more efficiency by roots and soil organisms. If the research identifies root-carbon genes and microorganism types that lead to deeper and healthy root systems, farmers may sequester more carbon below ground, offsetting atmospheric CO2. Second benefits would be social through better prosperity of regional communities and maintaining affordable and accessible food grown in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Economic, political and cultural brokers in remote Papua New Guinea. This project aims to understand the role of brokers in shaping flows of knowledge and wealth at in resource frontiers in Papua New Guinea; the intent is to investigate the demands that brokers service, their positioning, and the tensions they mediate. The project plans to generate new knowledge by studying cultural, political and economic brokers in a region where encounters with church, state and corporations are comparatively recent. Expected outcomes include contributions to the scholarly literature on brokerage, and building capacity of PNG researchers. This should provide significant benefits, informing better management of processes that threaten viability of development projects, legitimacy of the state, and stability of communities. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology The project will increase understanding of processes that threaten viability of development projects and legitimacy of states and, by distorting equitable access to resources, threaten the stability of local communities. It offers economic, strategic, and social benefits for the Australian community. 1) Australian corporations are significant partners in resource-extraction projects in PNG, some of which have also been underwritten by the Australian government; the project may contribute to greater security for those projects. 2) The Australian government has a vested interest in ensuring the legitimacy of the PNG state; the project may provide guidance for those seeking to increase the standing of government in local communities, and enhance qualifications of PNG policy-makers. 3) Australia now must compete with China for influence in PNG; the project may provide guidance to diplomats seeking to broker such relations at local scales. 4) The Australian community has a longstanding moral obligation to the people of PNG; the project has potential to enhance the well-being of local communities in PNG

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Smart site investigation for offshore energy installations in sand . This project aims to develop a next generation tool for seabed site investigations. It will use free-fall penetrometers, advanced physical modelling and novel probabilistic methods to investigate fundamental science of sand responses at low stress level and generate new interpretation methods. Outcomes of this project include a scientific framework to predict soil design parameters at unsampled seabed locations. A game changer in offshore site investigations, the project will provide cheaper and faster geotechnical site investigation in sand at a time of global increase in offshore energy installations (worth 4 trillion over the next decade). Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering This research will produce a novel site investigation tool to map the spatial variability in seabeds that will reduce the uncertainty in geotechnical design of offshore energy infrastructures and address the current design challenge identified by industry. The novel outcomes will produce essential cost savings and risk reduction that will directly benefit the offshore energy industry. This project is particularly timely as it will support ongoing natural gas exploration and emerging offshore wind farms in Australia requiring cost-effective site investigation. It will ensure the sustainable economic growth of Australia’s blue economy and maintain Australia’s competitiveness in ocean energy developments. Furthermore, the project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness and prestige of Australian research and produce high quality next generation engineers and researchers to ensure our research capabilities will continue to be at the leading edge worldwide.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The role of community sponsorship for refugee resettlement in Australia . This Project aims to conduct the first large-scale comparative study of community or private sponsorship of refugee resettlement in Australia and other jurisdictions. It will generate ground-breaking insights into Australia’s role historically in community sponsorship of refugee resettlement and identify the legal and policy background of current successful community sponsorship programs. Expected outcomes include clarity and policy guidance about how community or private sponsorship is understood, conceived and implemented globally; and better knowledge about the motives of community sponsors. This Project will position Australia as a world leader in practice and research on community or private sponsorship for refugee resettlement. Field of research: 1801 - Law This Project will have multiple benefits for Australia. Economic and environmental benefits will arise from increased community participation in refugee resettlement sponsorship which will increase and extend the distribution of refugees beyond urban to rural and regional areas, thereby relieving pressure on infrastructure in urban centres and sharing responsibility and the cost of resettlement between community and government. It will strengthen resettlement for refugees from Southeast Asia and contribute to security by fostering stronger regional relationships, including trading partnerships. Social and cultural benefits will flow from new knowledge of Australia’s historical and contemporary practice of community sponsorship, through richer understanding of citizenship and national identity. It will contribute to social and community cohesion, and to understanding of how to engage community goodwill for sponsorship of refugees, leading to more effective programs. It will provide guidance for Australia to develop a best practice model and become a world leader in community sponsorship.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

New Tests of Fundamental Physics & Astrophysics with Atmospheric Neutrinos. Neutrinos are the least understood of the known fundamental particles, yet they hold the key to some of the most important open questions in physics and astrophysics. This project aims create new knowledge, which is needed now, using existing and imminent atmospheric neutrino data. It will pave the way to better understand the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, supernovae, and dark matter. The expected outcomes include significant advances at the forefront of modern science, which will contribute to the development of a world class research capacity in Australia. Significant benefits include high level training of students and early career researchers, contributing to a highly skilled STEM workforce. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics Neutrinos are the least understood of known particles in nature. This project will use new data-analysis, simulation and statistical methods to study the fundamental properties of neutrino, and provide foundational support for the science program of the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, underpinning a significant investment of resources by State and Federal Governments. By asking fundamental questions about nature, the project will provide cultural benefits to Australian society by addressing the deep need to understand the nature of the universe and our origins. Such topics inspire students to engage in STEM, ultimately contributing to the knowledge economy in areas where critical skill shortages have been identified. It will deliver scientific and economic benefit to the Australian community through developing transferable STEM-based skills, with direct applications to data-intensive Australian industry sectors such as cybersecurity, information technology and finance, and the detection of neutrinos has downstream applications in areas such as defence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Neurovascular pericytes in development and brain regeneration. The brain is responsible for a quarter of the body’s metabolism and is thus perfused by an extensive network of blood vessels. Pericytes surround these vessels and interact with neurons, glia, immune cells and neural stem cells of the neurovascular unit. Pericytes influence brain development, function and regeneration but remain enigmatic. This project investigates molecular control of pericyte development, functional coupling of pericytes with adjacent cells and pericyte function in tissue regeneration. We aim to produce new fundamental knowledge in brain development, structure, function and evolution. New knowledge generated here may lead to future approaches in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, regeneration and ageing of the brain. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics There is a fundamental knowledge gap in understanding the cellular and molecular interactions that control neurovascular function during brain homeostasis. Reduced neurovascular function is associated with developmental defects, altered cognition and is thought to contribute to aging of the brain. This project aims to improve our fundamental understanding of key cells involved in maintaining normal blood vascular and brain function and tissue regeneration in vertebrate organisms. Project outcomes therefore include fundamental new knowledge in an area that may impact upon new technologies in tissue engineering, tissue repair and regenerative targeting of the ageing brain. Broader longer term potential outcomes include economic benefits to Australia in building new cutting-edge research directions and capacity, new knowledge and potential economic benefit by improving workplace and social participation. Importantly, this project will train future scientists in world-class molecular, developmental and cellular biology, building future capacity for Australian science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Nanoengineering materials to combat antimicrobial resistance. This project aims to understand how nanoengineered materials can be designed to kill bacteria and fungi without causing antimicrobial resistance. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs already leads to many thousands of deaths annually and costs society billions of dollars. Nanomaterials have unique abilities to attack microbes in multiple ways that could limit resistance. This project will engineer new antimicrobial nanomaterials tailored to selectively kill microbes with reduced likelihood of developing resistance by using synergies between inorganic nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides. This technology could be used to prevent infections and biofilms on surfaces in a wide range of future applications, such as medical / veterinary devices Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology Resistance to antibiotics is a major global challenge impacting human and animal health and jeopardising agricultural food production. As a vital step towards addressing this issue, this project will develop nanomaterials that can be used to create coatings that combat infections and limit the development of future antimicrobial resistance. They will have potential for impact in a broad range of fields including veterinary treatments, medical devices and implants. This project will enhance international research collaborations, generate intellectual property with significant potential economic impact, and contribute to a higher quality workforce through the training of a postdoctoral researcher, PhD and Masters students. The materials and IP generated will create opportunities for design and manufacture of new products with export potential, and thus will foster future economic growth in Australia’s medical technology, food and pharmaceuticals sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Skills, productivity, and wages: Theory and evidence . This project aims to build a macroeconomic model to help understand the implications of heterogeneity in workers skills for wages and productivity. The research significance of this project is in its treatment of worker skills as an indivisible bundle. This bundling of skills gives rise to the possibility that a given skill is priced differently in different occupations which in turn has implications for firms' incentives to invest in technology and training and workers' incentives to invest in education. This project uses state of the art economic theory and empirical methods and expects to provide a new and better understanding of the sources of wage growth that helps guide national policy formation in innovation and training. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics The project contributes to Australia's national interest on the economic front. Growth in the living standards of Australians depends on growth in real wages which in turn depends on growth in productivity. In recent years, however, there has been a pronounced slowdown in both the growth of real wages and in productivity itself. That is, not only has productivity growth fallen, but real wage growth has fallen even further --- there has been an "excess slowdown" in real wage growth. This project will help address the slowdown in real wage growth both by addressing the productivity slowdown and by addressing the extent to which changes in productivity pass through to real wages. In particular, this project will yield a better understanding of the links between worker skills, the wages that workers earn, and productivity both at the level of individual firms and at the level of the Australian economy overall. Importantly, this project will help understand the two-way causality between (i) the availability of key skills and wages, and (ii) wages and technology adoption and innovation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Investigation of New Physics via matter-antimatter asymmetries. The universal matter-antimatter asymmetry and the existence of dark matter imply that new fundamental physics must exist. Recent anomalous results provide evidence that the nature of new physics can be discovered by observing B-meson decays. The project aims to do this with the Belle II experiment in Japan. Discovering new physics would be a substantial scientific discovery leading to a paradigm change in Fundamental Physics. In the process of making the measurements we will develop and enhance international collaborations, develop new techniques for machine-learning and create innovative work-flow software.This will enhance the international reputation of Australian Universities leading to increased exports of Australian education. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics The discovery of fundamental new physics would be a paradigm change in human knowledge, with broad benefits to Australian society through contributions to global knowledge. As with all major scientific advances, the discovery of new physics – new knowledge of the foundations of nature – has the capacity to inspire, providing socio-cultural benefits as well as strengthening the profile of Australian higher education, enlarging collaborative research networks and boosting Australia's export of education. Additionally, the project will provide physics graduates with advanced skills in quantitative analysis and data science, the cornerstone of advanced industry and the knowledge economy. These people – many of whom will transition into industry and commerce over their career – will take with them new and innovative data science techniques to improve the performance of Australian industry and government. Finally, the project will develop work-flow software that integrates people with large-scale data processing, providing an example of cyber-security done right.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

How free is free?: word order in Australian Indigenous languages. This project aims to address the fundamental issue of how the grammatical structure of the language we speak shapes the way we plan and interpret sentences. The project will use innovative methodologies to investigate language production and comprehension in three Australian Indigenous languages that have unusually free word order, where the words in a sentence can be varied in multiple ways without changing the overall meaning. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of the relationship between language structure and human cognition, a deeper understanding of the grammatical structure of three Indigenous languages and how they differ from other languages, and important contributions to Indigenous language maintenance and education. Field of research: 2004 - Linguistics This project contributes to Australia’s national interest in a number of ways. Firstly, it involves descriptive work on three endangered Indigenous languages, working closely with Indigenous community members, and providing training and education in their home communities. This project will increase understanding of the way these languages work and contribute knowledge for community education programs and language maintenance efforts. Research increasingly demonstrates links between language maintenance and increased well-being in Indigenous communities and thus this project has the potential to significantly benefit the communities involved. Secondly, the project brings a new approach to the fundamental question of how language-specific properties relate to how the human brain works. This has potential long-term benefits to Australian society through contributions to the development of language processing models that can cater for a diversity of languages. Such models have the potential to contribute to increasing domains of economic and commercial interest where speech processing plays a significant role.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Expanding and linking random matrix theory. Fundamental to random matrix theory are certain universality laws, holding in scaling limits to infinite matrix size. A basic question is to quantify the rate of convergence to the universal laws. The analysis of data for the Riemann zeros from prime number theory, and of the spectral form factor probe of chaos in black hole physics, are immediate applications. An analysis involving integrable structures holding for finite matrix size and their asymptotics is proposed, allowing the rate to be quantified for a large class of model ensembles, and providing predictions in the various applied settings. The broad project is to be networked with researchers in the Asia-Oceania region, with the aim of establishing leadership status for Australia. Field of research: 0105 - Mathematical Physics Random matrix theory is a field of mathematics that has historically been driven by its applications in research areas such as quantum physics, number theory, numerical linear algebra and multivariate statistics. Stemming from that fundamental research, it is now used in modelling the macro-economy, investigating climate-change, and managing complex ecological food-webs. This project continues the tradition of fundamental mathematical research through which surprising but enabling techniques are discovered and understood. By enhancing a culture that strives to exploit mathematical structures for their rigor in providing a description of the physical world, and for their ability in making predictions, this project will contribute to Australia’s computational and predictive capacity in key socio-economic sectors. It will also strengthen our reputation internationally and in the region, and contribute to building a culture of discovery which is essential for Australia to be successful in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Reducing the harms associated with conscientious objection to abortion. This project aims to critically evaluate the regulation of conscientious objection to abortion. A range of state-based laws regulate this practice in Australia, and there is evidence that all result in inequitable access, harms to women and lack clarity for providers. The project will critically evaluate the legal and regulatory options for managing conscientious objection and interview conscientious objectors to develop a conceptual model to explain their practices. A participatory process with experts will identify the optimal model for regulation and how to translate the model to practice. Expected outcomes are world first evidence on practice, progress towards effective regulation, and benefits will be reduced conflict and harms. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology Currently in Australia a patchwork of state laws regulate how health professionals practice when they hold a conscientious objection to abortion, and consequences for not adhering to the law are unclear. This leaves both consumers and doctors vulnerable. Scholars have considered how conscientious objection can be managed, from not allowing doctors to hold a conscientious objection under any circumstances, through to not imposing any constraints on how doctors define and enact an objection. However, there is little empirical work to determine the best model for the regulation of this complex area of health care and no agreement on the optimal model. This world-first project will provide an evidence base for policy, regulation and law, and will position Australia as a leader in research on and regulation of the practice of conscientious objection in healthcare. This will increase equity of access to contentious services like abortion and allow for the protection of the moral integrity of doctors. This research will be relevant to other contentious areas of medicine, like voluntary assisted dying.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The role of HP1 alpha dimerisation in maintaining chromatin structure. Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1a) is an architectural protein that decorates three-dimensional genome organisation and through self-association into HP1a dimers regulates global gene expression. While there is extensive biochemical evidence on how HP1a molecules bind DNA, dimerise and bridge nucleosomes close together, we still do not know how HP1a regulates higher order chromatin structure in the context of a living cell. Thus, by use of cutting-edge fluorescence microscopy methods, the overall aim of this research project is to determine the biophysical mechanism by which the HP1a monomer to dimer transition spatially and temporally modulates live cell chromatin network organisation to ensure faithful transmission of the genome. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Genes are normally ‘silent’ and tightly packed in chromosomes like books on a library shelf. Hence, before genes can be read and expressed, they need to be unpacked and then ‘read’ to exert their functional effect. The tightly packed state is called heterochromatin, viewed as a highly stable nuclear structure that represses the reading of genes. Heterochromatin is in fact dynamic and more accessible than previously believed to nuclear proteins driving gene expression. Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1a) is central to establishing and maintaining the heterochromatin through unknown mechanisms. This project will dissect how HP1a ‘opens’ and ‘compacts’ chromatin network structure to both induce and silence genes. We will employ a technology called optogenetics and cutting-edge microscopy methods for this purpose. This research outcome would be a significant advance in scientific knowledge benefitting the Australian community through development of biotechnological applications in stem cell biology, somatic cloning and gene therapy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

CD1C-LIPID-REACTIVE T CELLS. The immune system patrols our body examining molecules such as proteins and lipids that signal whether or not everything is ok. While protein recognition by the immune system is well understood, our knowledge of the fundamental features of lipid detection is poor. This project will investigate the detection of lipid molecules that are presented to the immune system in association with a molecule known as CD1c. The aims are to understand: 1. The cells that respond to these lipids; 2. The cellular receptors that bind to these lipids; 3. The types of lipids involved in this process. This work is essential for us to understand lipid-based immunology which is critical if we ultimately wish to harness this to improve human health. Field of research: 1107 - Immunology This project meets all the objectives of the ARC discovery project scheme with the potential to provide both social benefit and commercial benefit. In terms of social benefit, this project, while basic research in its nature, will improve our understanding of how the immune system functions, which will ultimately lead to improvements in health care. It will also support excellent fundamental research by both individuals and teams, in conditions that are proven to achieve best results and it will ensure that we can continue to train early career researchers at the highest level, also supporting and enhancing our extensive international collaborative network. In terms of commercial benefit, my research team has established a collaborative relationship with both Australian and International industry partners, such as CSL Limited and Avalia Immunotherapies. New findings from this research are likely to generate commercially viable collaborative project opportunities with these and other potential industry partners.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Unravelling the mysteries of turbulent drag at the air-sea interface. 70% of the Earth's surface is the air-sea interface. A huge amount of energy and gas is exchanged between the atmosphere and ocean; exchanges that are crucial for life on earth. Climate models, weather and wave forecasts depend on oversimplified models for these exchanges. Oversimplification limits accuracy, with outcomes ranging from inaccurate climate predictions to costly and unnecessary rerouting of ships or evacuations of oil platforms. This project promises new knowledge of the turbulent air flow above waves through innovative, ambitious experiments in our laboratory wind-wave tanks. Concurrently, novel numerical simulations will enable new models for sea drag coefficient, the most critical component in air-sea interaction models. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering The effects of turbulence in the air above the ocean are critical to all life on earth. The exchanges between the ocean and air dramatically affect our climate, weather and ocean circulation. These processes are extremely complicated and must be modelled in order to perform, for example, climate or cyclone predictions. Australia is highly exposed to inaccuracies in these sorts of predictions. Infrastructure decisions are now being made on the basis of climate predictions so it is essential we have best estimates of what we are planning for. Cyclones are becoming more severe and frequent, with many rural communities exposed and in need of accurate and reliable forecasts of their tracks. This project will provide new knowledge on turbulence at the air-sea interface that will be analysed to develop new and improved models for the effects of turbulence at the interface. These models are able to be directly incorporated into advanced climate or weather forecasts for improved accuracy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Elliptic Schubert Calculus. We are well placed to become one of the world's leading centers in the emerging discipline of elliptic representation theory. This proposal describes our plan of establishing a cohesive research program spanning all the different aspects of this multi-disciplinary field, which applies elliptic cohomology to geometric representation theory, enumerative geometry, integrable systems and invariants of singular varieties. Our mathematically diverse team all have played key roles in the recent developments surrounding the field, and in very different capacities. This is a unique moment, where we have the chance to transform our individual research programs into a cohesive and powerful collaboration with a strong international presence. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics This proposal is based on fundamental exploratory research in mathematical sciences that brings together people and ideas from traditionally separate fields. It will strengthen Australia’s standing and capabilities in science and technology, bringing long-term educational, cultural and economic benefits for Australia. The knowledge economy and ‘data science enabled’ industry such as finance, health and telecommunications all fundamentally rely on advanced mathematical and scientific expertise, to which this proposal will contribute through an enhanced mathematics environment. The project will provide many opportunities for research students and early career researchers across Australia to gain experience with contemporary research in pure mathematics through, for example, our seminar program and high-profile international visitors, growing capability and skills in areas critical to Australia’s economic future. The outcomes of these activities and the associated research will help build a mathematically literate and mature workforce essential in key data-driven sectors of Australia’s economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Impact of Biological Coatings on Nanoparticle–Immune Cell Interactions. Nanomaterials exposed to biological environments such as blood or lymph fluids rapidly adsorb a layer of biomolecules on their surface, forming a biomolecular corona, and profoundly altering their properties. This project aims to resolve the influence of biomolecular coronas on nanoparticle–immune cell interactions by combining particle engineering, immunology, proteomics and bioinformatic analysis. The project expected outcomes are to generate new knowledge in nanomaterial–immune cell behaviour and design principles for nanoparticles with prospective applications in the agricultural, veterinary and biomedical sectors. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology Nanotechnology-enabled materials are central to emerging applications in agriculture and healthcare. Key to enabling such applications is the development of materials with controlled properties and function. This project will develop engineered nanoparticles with specific properties to explore their interactions with immune cells. The knowledge gained will potentially lead to the development of advanced vaccine delivery nanoparticles for the benefit of the Australian agriculture, veterinary and biomedical sectors and the economy. Furthermore, the functional nanoparticle systems developed will provide strong intellectual property positioning for potential commercialisation, thus providing opportunities for start-up companies, leading to employment and investment in Australian science and industry. Additional national benefits include the training of research students and fellows with strong cross-disciplinary skills that will be of benefit to industries recruiting graduates in science, engineering and technology.