Flinders University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Contesting Conquests: Pre-Modern Attempts to Come to Terms with the Past. This project aims to provide extensive new knowledge about how societies experience and remember the trauma of conquest and colonisation. The project expects to make an innovative contribution to our understanding of histories of conquest, with a research focus on medieval and early modern English history writing. Anticipated outcomes include an unprecedented comprehensive study of the reception and transmission of England’s medieval conquests that will offer new insights into the intergenerational impact of conquest. This should provide significant benefits both inside and outside the academy through a wealth of novel evidence in support of ongoing debates around the legacies of conquest and colonisation in England, Australia and beyond. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies Experiences of conquest and invasion are instrumental in shaping cultural identity and national mythologies, even hundreds of years after they have taken place. The conflicting accounts of conqueror and conquered are long lived in cultural memory and draw public attention; however, knowledge of how perceptions of these events change over time is greatly unknown. This research represents the first major study of cultural attitudes towards conquest and colonialism in English history writing over the length of the Middle Ages. It examines the transmission and adaptation of England’s early medieval history during its 900-year transition from a conquered society to one that engaged in its own program of colonial expansion. This will transform our understanding of how societies construct histories of conquest. The project will develop new methodologies for understanding the past that will constitute an important addition to wider debates within world literature, history, and post-colonial comparative studies by offering a more inclusive and representative vision of history writing. This will benefit Australians by providing new knowledge that can act as a template for the renewal of the important, contested and controversial ways that Australia thinks of its own histories of invasion, colonisation and societal trauma. Project outcomes will be communicated nationally and internationally online and through publications and broad media platforms such as via the ABC.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Including influence activity in complex conflict modelling Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Australian Microarchaeology and Palaeosciences Facility (AusMAP). The Australian Microarchaeology and Palaeosciences Facility (AusMAP) aims to revolutionise our understanding of the human and environmental past through the innovative application of micro-excavation and 3D recording techniques allied with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. The research undertaken at AusMAP will significantly advance the way we study artefacts, fossils and sediments, maximising their potential using a novel micro-analytical approach. Expected outcomes of AusMAP include facilitating interdisciplinary and international collaboration and streamlining research and cultural resource management processes. This will provide significant benefits to our deep time understanding of the environment and history of humankind. Field of research: 4301 - Archaeology The proposed AusMAP facility will be a state-of-the-art laboratory complex enabling analyses of cultural, fossil and environmental materials at a range of microscopic scales to tease out novel information about life on earth, the evolution of our species, and the environmental history of Australia. By uniquely combining cutting-edge micro-scale recording and excavation techniques with quantitative analytical instrumentation, the facility will be a first of its kind worldwide, allowing Australia to lead the field in micro-scale analyses of artefacts, fossils, ecofacts, rocks and minerals. The facility will benefit sectors from heritage conservation to natural resource management by streamlining the process of archaeological and environmental resource characterisation, employing AusMAP’s seamless operational ‘one-stop-shop’ workflows. In the heritage sector this will afford a far greater level of detail to our understanding of how the Australian landscape has evolved and how Indigenous people have interacted with these unique environments over the past 65,000 years. To promote new high-profile findings, the AusMAP team will communicate discoveries through a range of non-traditional channels, including published commentary pieces, social media updates and public seminars. AusMAP will enhance our stewardship of cultural and ecological legacies, support informed decision-making in land use, and solidify Australia's reputation in global scientific leadership.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

VITT and the adenovirus connection: unravelling the root cause of a... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Improving ecosystem restoration under climate change. Ecosystem restoration is a key nature-based solution for addressing the global challenges of the Anthropocene: biodiversity loss, climate change and human well-being. Restoring diverse native plant communities into highly disturbed areas following mining remains challenging. Our project’s goal is to enhance our understanding of the synergies between native seed sourcing, climate change, degraded substrate conditions, and land-use legacy effects, all critical issues that impact successful restoration. Expected outcomes include restoration practitioner guidelines on seed sourcing and substrate manipulation for restored communities that are more resilient to changing climate and degraded substrates. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Australia’s ecosystems are valuable assets, supporting our nation’s biodiversity plus supplying important social, cultural and recreational benefits. However, vast areas of Australia's ecosystems have been severely degraded by human activities, especially those associated with mining, forestry, and agriculture. This degradation is further exacerbated by climate change. Efficient and effective restoration of these degraded ecosystems is thus highly important, however, a knowledge gap exists as to which seeds are most optimal for effective restoration plantings. This project will address major hurdles to effective restoration of extensively disturbed landscapes. We will achieve this by identifying suitable native seeds at a large scale, with consideration of plant performance relating to soil quality, water and nutrient availability, resilience to climate change, and seed sourcing practices. Our research will benefit Australians through improved ecosystem restoration, focussing primarily on improving mine closure practises and providing on-ground solutions to the economic, environmental, cultural and social threats associated with climate change and ecosystem degradation. We will engage directly with the restoration industry, land managers and the broader community to ensure rapid translation and adoption of research findings.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Unfreedom, Voices, Redress: Plantation Cultures of the Western Pacific. Using fresh scholarly and creative approaches, this project aims to examine the hidden histories of the Western Pacific’s Anglo and German plantations. We will examine indenture, blackbirding (kidnapping) and forms of unfreedom, with a focus on gender and mixed-race relationships. Linking archives in English and German, and foregrounding Pacific voices, especially of women, we will generate new knowledge of plantation lives, the labour trade and its legacies. Working with museums and Pacific artists we will also meet urgent demands for public redress and commemoration. Benefits include bringing the Pacific into conversation with global debates on unfreedom and slavery and advancing political change across Australia and the Western Pacific. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies Heightened geopolitical tensions in the Pacific have led to an urgent renewal and reset of Australia’s links to the sea of islands surrounding us. Nevertheless, many Australians know little about Pacific history and culture. This is despite significant diasporic communities in our midst, some of whom trace their origins to Australian plantations. This lack of public understanding stems partly from the fact that histories of global slavery and unfree labour have, until recently, been overwhelmingly Atlantic in focus. This project addresses these major, interlinked gaps in history and public engagement. It has two key aims. The first is to create new knowledge about the lives of Western Pacific plantation workers through multilingual archives and three important ethnographic collections of Australia, Germany, and Fiji. We will also answer recent calls to deepen Australia’s social and cultural connections to our Pacific neighbours by collaboratively and respectfully giving voice to their perspectives on the world. This will be aided by engaging with contemporary Pacific and Australian South Sea Islander writers and artists to reimagine legacies of the Western Pacific’s plantation system, thus enabling our project to pioneer new and creative practices of memorialisation and truth telling. Translation and dissemination of findings to wider audiences will be through compelling stories (including an online Story Repository), educational content for schools, and public exhibitions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Advanced Glucated End Products in Immune Responses to Biomaterials. The overarching aim of this project is to discover the inflammatory role of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) when adsorbed on biomaterial surfaces and how rational surface engineering strategies can be used to modulate AGEs adsorption and improve inflammatory outcomes. Despite the well documented high complication rates of biomaterials used with sections of the population that have high blood levels of AGEs, at present, there is no knowledge of how AGEs may adsorb to biomaterial surfaces and promote inflammation. The outcomes of the project will create new fundamental knowledge that in the future can instruct the development of the next generation of biomaterials capable of controlling and directing the body’s inflammatory responses. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering ‘AGEs’ are a group of compounds that form when excess sugars in the bloodstream react with proteins and lipids. We know that people with increased AGEs face much higher complication rates from biomaterial implant surgeries (e.g. hip replacements, pinning of fractures), which reveals a key gap in knowledge about the interaction of AGEs and the biomaterials interface. At present, there is no understanding of the ‘mechanics’ of AGE deposition on biomaterial surfaces, the implications of this accumulation on the inflammatory environment, or how this ultimately affects the biomaterial being accepted or rejected by the body. Our project will address these gaps, generating advanced knowledge for the design of next-generation high added-value products, such as novel implants and tissue engineering constructs that have manageable and predictable inflammatory outcomes. This would, ultimately, enhance the wellbeing of Australians. Although focused on fundamental science, the project has potential to develop new IP that can be exploited by Australian companies and lead to new high added-value manufacturing sectors and skilled employment. Technologies that could emerge from this project are exactly the advanced industries of the future that Australia needs, and align seamlessly with Government manufacturing priorities. We have strong track records in outcomes dissemination and translating research findings to commercial products and will continue to work actively with industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

What makes a memory? Identifying learning molecules in a simple brain. This proposal aims to dissect the minimal chemical requirements for learning and memory formation in the compact, experimentally-accessible nematode brain. It seeks to advance molecular neuroscience and psychology using an innovative proximity labelling approach, to identify proteins present specifically during learning within the brain of a living animal. In expected outcomes and benefits, the project will revealing the entire network of molecules required as memories are being formed, and will generate breakthrough knowledge of the key molecular pathways driving specific forms of memory in different parts of the nervous system. These findings are essential to understand more complex forms of learning and memory formation in bigger brains. Field of research: 3109 - Zoology The ability to form memories is critical for survival. Memory is regulated by many genes working together in a network, with specific parts of the brain playing distinct roles. While current research focuses on individual genes and broad brain sections, we are missing crucial details on the network of molecular processes that occur during memory formation and the distinct contributions of key brain cells. This project will bridge these gaps – doing so by studying the compact, well-characterised brain of the ‘worm’ C. elegans. We will identify drivers of positive and negative memories, study wider protein networks in critical neurons of the worm brain, and explore how different senses influence memory formation, all while advancing novel experimental techniques for cell-specific protein network labelling that are broadly applicable for detailed neuroscience studies. Through this, we will identify the essential molecular and cellular requirements of robust memory. Our work will drive a fundamental understanding of the biology of stable memories; discoveries which, in the long term, may help support quality of life for ageing Australians vulnerable to memory loss. Keeping memories intact for longer is not only better for health, but also enables older Australians to remain active in society and the economy. To keep the public apprised of our findings, our team will extend our strong track record and commitment to community engagement, science outreach, and media activities.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Novel Tinnitus Management Combining Brain Stimulation and Hearing Aids... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Evidence-based interventions for gaming disorder in adolescents and... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Discovering new ways to generate targeted mutations. Life evolves by acquiring DNA from other organisms or mutating existing DNA sequences. Most mutations are neutral or deleterious. However, some organisms have developed site-directed mutagenesis that allows them to evolve small sections of their genomes. Phages, viruses that infect bacteria, are particularly adept at targeted mutagenesis as it allows them to infect many different bacteria. We have identified phages that reproducibly mutate their genomes but have yet to discover how they alter their sequences. We will combine genetic and genomic experiments with bioinformatics to identify new mechanisms phages use to create targeted mutations. These enzymes can be used for biotechnology and genome engineering. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology Like all viruses, phages, viruses that infect bacteria, change their DNA to adapt and survive. Understanding how viruses change is essential to both exploiting and combatting them. While phages can mutate their DNA in specific ways, we only currently understand a few of these methods. In our lab, we have developed new tools to identify these targeted mutations, and this project will uncover the new mechanisms that phages use to create them. We will conduct experiments to identify these new mechanisms while developing innovative computer tools to compare thousands of phage genomes to uncover hidden mutation patterns. New insights into phage biology will lead to breakthrough biotechnological applications, benefiting Australian agriculture, biomedicine, and environmental management. Understanding phages will also help develop antibiotic alternatives, like phage therapy, to benefit Australians in the future by improving health and combating antibiotic resistance. We will promote our outcomes by collaborating with large and small biotech companies, creating engaging public content, and publishing our groundbreaking research in top-tier scientific journals. In addition, all of our software will be made open source and publicly available to drive future impacts.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

New health economic tools for improving the health and wellbeing of... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Recording gut activity in freely moving animals using wireless technology . This proposal aims to identify for the first time, the different patterns of activity along the length of the gut in freely moving animals in their natural environment. This will be accomplished using miniature fully implantable wireless devices developed and tested by the investigators. The project expects to generate – without the constraints of current recording methods – crucial new knowledge about gut function in the body including which patterns of gut activity are controlled by the peripheral nervous system and how gut activity is modified during environmental changes. This will provide major benefits by delivering breakthrough technology and new knowledge to global science; placing Australia at the forefront of gut research. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Currently, our fundamental understanding of how the gastrointestinal (GI) tract functions in the body is limited; primarily because there has been no technology available to record GI-tract activity in living animals that are awake and free to move in their environment (versus being restrained or anesthetized: a key problem since both strongly affect the GI-tract). This project will demonstrate a breakthrough technology which will allow long-term recordings from all regions of the GI-tract in laboratory animals that are awake and free to move around. To do this, we will use a new miniature device developed by the applicant team. The device is implanted in the body and uses wireless Bluetooth technology to record gut activity. This means we can, for the first time, understand what patterns of activity occur in the GI-tract during normal behaviours like feeding, drinking, sleeping and socialising with other animals, and shed light on dysfunctional patterns of GI activity when disorders occur. This project will also reveal how the GI-tract is affected by changes to day-night cycles and identify mechanisms that cause the patterns of activity. The research findings, to be disseminated via scholarly fora and wide-ranging public media, would pave the way for future economic, commercial and social benefits for Australia by providing innovative basic knowledge of gut function and a major new (potentially commercialisable) bioelectronic recording technology for biomedical science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Closing the loop on target detection: Neural and behavioural mechanisms . This project aims to study motion vision in closed loop, by quantifying how small moving targets are first seen, then processed by the nervous system to control behavioural action, which in turn affects what is seen. Using an innovative approach combining virtual reality with neural recordings in the hoverfly (a species with a highly compressed and optimized visual system), the research expects to redefine our understanding of neural control in a biologically meaningful context. Major outcomes include advanced knowledge in sensorimotor processing, closed-loop control learnings with implications for robotics, novel technique development, and, as hoverflies are important pollinators, potential future gains for Australian agriculture. Field of research: 3109 - Zoology Understanding how the nervous system controls behaviour is a long-standing quest in neuroscience. This project will examine motion vision in the hoverfly, particularly insect target detection, as an innovative model for revealing how sensory input is transformed into behaviour. Indeed, insects with crude optics, small nervous systems and low power requirements manoeuvre with great precision, successfully performing goal-directed behaviour in places they have never encountered. In contrast, autonomous machines struggle with competing inputs and new environments. This project will therefore provide novel understanding of living systems, but it could also provide game-changing upskilling, insights and development for our own technology and robotics. In addition, the project could contribute to agriculture, as hoverflies are important alternative pollinators. This is important as the estimated total value of the pollination service from insects is ~$12Bpa in Australia. As such, this project may benefit Australia in a range of ways including economically, environmentally and socially. The project will include global expertise in robotics, modelling and control theory, and provide Australian-based students and early-career researchers with high-value skills. We will capitalise on our existing experience and networks to pursue public, school student and peer communication avenues for our findings, as well as pathways for potential technology translation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Advancing soil health assessments with ecoacoustics. This project aims to create and test the effectiveness of a tool for soil health by undertaking comprehensive field and controlled lab studies of how soil biota can be measured with soil ecoacoustics. The project expects to generate new knowledge (and tools) in soil biodiversity monitoring using innovative technology to detect and analyse the sounds of soil biota. Expected outcomes of this project include an enhanced capacity to measure soil biodiversity by advancing techniques and tools, including ecoacoustics hardware and analytics. This should provide significant benefits, such as enhancing ecosystem restoration monitoring and precision agriculture practices, contributing to reducing the economic costs associated with soil degradation. Field of research: 4106 - Soil Sciences Australia’s soils are valuable assets, supporting most of the nation’s biodiversity and food production. However, vast areas of Australia's soils have been degraded by human activities such as land clearing, overgrazing and urbanisation. Detecting, measuring and monitoring soil health is a major challenge, currently too costly, inefficient and intrusive to do at scale. Therefore, it is imperative to develop cost-effective and non-destructive ways to measure soil health to better guide soil management in natural ecosystem and agricultural contexts. This project will address major hurdles in measuring soil health through the novel use of ecoacoustics – the detection of acoustic waves emitted by sound-producing organisms. Our project will achieve a step-change in biodiversity monitoring knowledge, resulting in soil ecoacoustics tools which are effective at measuring soil health in common land use and soil types, as well as a mechanistic understanding of soil biota sound production. Our research will benefit Australians through an improved understanding of soil health, focusing primarily on improving how the sounds of the underground can be used to measure it. This has basic and applied science aspects and provides on-ground solutions to the economic, environmental, cultural and social threats associated with soil degradation. We will promote educational activities in schools and engage with the soil science sector to ensure rapid translation and adoption of research findings.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

New health economic tools for improving the health and wellbeing of... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Evidence-based interventions for gaming disorder in adolescents and... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

New health economic tools for improving the health and wellbeing of... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

IMPACT - Indigenous Measures for Protecting and Addressing Critical... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Trauma Aware School Village: Tackling Childhood Trauma In Schools Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

From conspiracy to extremism: Biased thinking and social influence in a... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

From conspiracy to extremism: Biased thinking and social influence in a... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Feasibility Study of Quantum Computing for Remote Community Category: Technology

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

2024 Equipment Grants Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-10

Supramolecular host-in-host adsorbents that trap perfluorinated... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research