Jump to Content

Media Release

October 26 2009

ARC grant success builds UniSA research strength


UniSA receives more than $6.7 million in competitive grants fundingResearchers from the University of South Australia have received more than $6.72 million in funding from the Australian Research Council in its latest round of funding support for priority research and research linked with industry.

University of South Australia Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj says he is delighted with the results which reflect the dedication and vision of a host of researchers across the University.

“The process for selection for funding under the Discovery and Linkage schemes is highly competitive,” Prof Høj said.

“For every successful application there are great projects that miss out.

“This year’s success places UniSA at the lead in the Australian Technology Network of universities for research in both the Discovery and Linkage schemes. It is real evidence that our determination to grow our research capacity at UniSA is paying off and that’s good for the nation but also for our students who take their place at UniSA knowing that research excellence, engagement and innovation are part of the culture of the institution.”

UniSA was successful in securing support for 14 ARC Discovery Grants which focus on key national priorities including projects to advance clean energy technologies and improved fuel efficiencies for public transport systems.

Researchers at UniSA’s Ian Wark Research Institute have been awarded more than $1.6m for a range of projects including fundamental research into membrane separation processes that that will have significant impact in areas such as agriculture and biotechnology, forensic analysis and the food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries. A key project led by Laureate Professor John Ralston centres on the dynamic process of liquids wetting and dewetting and will focus on nanofluidics and the emergent technology known as process intensification where large high energy industrial processes can be reduced to a tiny scale

The University’s Institute for Telecommunications Research has secured more than $1m in funding for research into achieving robust data transmission networks to underpin and grow profitable markets for communications technology industries. It has also attracted support for new research into patterns of neural activity providing a research base for future interfaces between brain activity and computers or machines.

Other successful Discovery projects include research into constructive post-apology reconciliation concerning issues of intercultural communication, economic development, community leadership and governance, and community education; research into the management and retention of mature age workers in Australia; and new technologies for low-energy desalination.

Under the ARC Linkage Grants scheme UniSA has attracted support for seven projects to commence in 2010. The $2.08 million awarded by the ARC is the highest in the State and will be matched with a further $2.576 million from industry partners to further a range of projects designed to help solve challenging industry and community problems.

Successful linkage projects include research into the impact of inadequate sleep on the health and learning of school children and the impact of nutrition, including omega 3 and micronutrients on the learning and health of Indigenous children in remote communities. Two major projects have been funded which examine aspects of psychological health at work including those related to incidents of trauma in the workplace.

Another engineering and nanomaterials project has been successful. Its aim is to develop new and generic biosensing technology for application in a wide range of industries from medical diagnostics to biosecurity, industrial applications and environmental control.

Two other successful projects will examine water issues from both sides of the spectrum – technological and behavioural. One will investigate the nexus between policy and environmental behaviour across the Murray-Darling basin system and is designed to make an important contribution to water management.

The second project has secured more than $800,000 funding from the ARC and will be carried out by the Mawson Institute in partnership with local water authorities to develop advanced technologies to secure high-quality drinking water for Australia.

More details regarding UniSA’s successful research projects are available online.


Social bookmarking
Digg Digg It Reddit Reddit Delicious Delicious Stumble It Stumble It! NewsvineSeed Newsvine

Media contact

 

top^