University researchers will collaborate with industry to undertake new research projects designed to deliver tangible outcomes to Australia, including developing radically new durable paint surfaces for the building industry and creating automated production systems for commercial lobster aquaculture.
Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sue Thomas, said 16 successful new research projects, worth a total of $6.9 million, were announced today by Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, under the ARC Linkage Projects scheme.
“These research projects can commence immediately. They all involve significant industry collaboration, with partnerships between higher education researchers and other parts of the national innovation system—from governments and community organisations, through to business and industry,” said Professor Thomas.
“In addition to the Australian Government funding, these 16 projects will involve significant cash and in-kind support of a further $11.5 million from 40 partner organisations over the five year duration of the projects.
The new projects awarded funding today include:
- $660,683 for Associate Professor Brian Hawkett at The University of Sydney to lead a project working with Duluxgroup Australia Pty Ltd to develop radically new, stain resistant and environmentally friendly paint surfaces for the building industry.
- $480,000 for Professor Yongsheng Gao at Griffith University to lead a project in collaboration with Australian Bay Lobster Producers Ltd to develop automation technologies for large-scale production for commercial lobster aquaculture, to create new production systems and export opportunities.
- $157,290 for Associate Professor Amy Roberts at The Flinders University of South Australia to lead a project—working with The River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation and Australian Landscape Trust—to deliver the first comprehensive study of the colonial frontier in South Australia’s Riverland, and generate meaningful narratives for and with Aboriginal descendants.
- $263,000 for Associate Professor Timothy Brodribb at The University of Tasmania to work with Botanical Resources Australia-Agricultural Services Pty Ltd to use novel optical and x-ray technology to improve crop management and yields, and maximise the benefits of irrigation.
- $300,000 for Dr David Chapple at Monash University to work with Museum Victoria, South Australian Museum and Museum of Natural History in Berlin, to shed light on the evolution of lizards in Australia—providing comparative data to interpret the fossil record, and analyse the decline and relative extinction risk of native lizard species.
- $293,380 for Associate Professor Kit Messham-Muir at Curtin University to work in partnership with the Australian War Memorial (AWM) and National Trust of Australia (NSW) to investigate conflicts and compromises arising from the commissioning of Australian contemporary war art, to transform the AWM’s curatorial approaches and build an enduring digital archive.
From 1 July 2016, the ARC commenced accepting proposals under the Linkage Projects scheme on a continuous basis—a significant move away from the previous ‘one round per year’ approach, with successful grants announced on a continuing basis throughout the year.
More details about the Linkage Projects announced today are available from the ARC website.