The evolution of female resistance to male reproductive traits in animals. Australia has an outstanding international reputation in the fields of Ecology and Evolution. This study will reinforce Australia's excellence in these fields. Sexual conflict is a topic of great scientific interest because it has important implications for evolutionary theory and our understanding of the diverse strategies that animals use to attract or repel potential mates. Consequently, articles on this topic feature ....The evolution of female resistance to male reproductive traits in animals. Australia has an outstanding international reputation in the fields of Ecology and Evolution. This study will reinforce Australia's excellence in these fields. Sexual conflict is a topic of great scientific interest because it has important implications for evolutionary theory and our understanding of the diverse strategies that animals use to attract or repel potential mates. Consequently, articles on this topic feature regularly in top international scientific journals. In addition, research on the unique social behaviours of Australian animals holds general public interest and plays an important role in attracting young people to careers in science. Read moreRead less
The role of natural selection in macroevolution: a case study examining convergence of form and function in marine predator guilds. Darwin's theory of evolution natural selection is one of the most successful in the history of science and provides the framework for modern biology: however, areas of debate or uncertainty are often misinterpreted by non-scientists as indication of fundamental flaws in the theory. New 'hi-tech' tools provide the opportunity to re-examine these areas, and also to de ....The role of natural selection in macroevolution: a case study examining convergence of form and function in marine predator guilds. Darwin's theory of evolution natural selection is one of the most successful in the history of science and provides the framework for modern biology: however, areas of debate or uncertainty are often misinterpreted by non-scientists as indication of fundamental flaws in the theory. New 'hi-tech' tools provide the opportunity to re-examine these areas, and also to demonstrate the process of science to the public. The new tool is Computational Biomechanics, the future of studying biological form, and this project will further develop the leading role of Australian research in this technology which has applications for palaeontology, environmental management, medical science, and the next generation of engineering using 'biomaterials'.Read moreRead less
Linkages between productivity and consistent behavioural traits in fish: implications for harvesting, climate impacts, and selective breeding for aquaculture. The extent to which behavior, growth and reproduction are genetically linked in fish populations is unknown, but critical for predicting the impacts of fish harvesting and climate warming, and developing fish stains for aquaculture. If strongly linked, fish harvest will always remove aggressive, large and productive fish, requiring their p ....Linkages between productivity and consistent behavioural traits in fish: implications for harvesting, climate impacts, and selective breeding for aquaculture. The extent to which behavior, growth and reproduction are genetically linked in fish populations is unknown, but critical for predicting the impacts of fish harvesting and climate warming, and developing fish stains for aquaculture. If strongly linked, fish harvest will always remove aggressive, large and productive fish, requiring their protection; in aquaculture, selecting for productive fish will also increase aggression-related injuries. If not strongly linked, we may be able to select for high productivity and low aggression in fish, or high productivity and low metabolism, thus reducing feed costs in aquaculture associated with aggressive behaviour leading to injury and infection, and reduced growth at warmer temperatures.Read moreRead less
A general theory for ecological trait-strategy dimensions. This project aims to bridge the gap in understanding of ecological strategies between plant and animal ecology, globally, using ants. It will test how environmental change influences the success of species, based on ecological strategies, and the consequences for ecosystem function. This project is expected to make a significant contribution to generality and prediction in ecology. Expected outcomes of this project include theory deve ....A general theory for ecological trait-strategy dimensions. This project aims to bridge the gap in understanding of ecological strategies between plant and animal ecology, globally, using ants. It will test how environmental change influences the success of species, based on ecological strategies, and the consequences for ecosystem function. This project is expected to make a significant contribution to generality and prediction in ecology. Expected outcomes of this project include theory development and application and enhanced global networks of trait researchers. Intended benefits include improved ecological theory, an enhanced capacity to predict how global change will affect organisms and increased understanding of the cascading effects of changes for ecosystem function.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100058
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$659,060.00
Summary
Unmanned aerial vehicle sensing and data discovery for a changing planet. This project aims to establish an earth systems monitoring facility, using unmanned aerial vehicles and world-leading sensor technology. It will have the capability to measure the natural and built environment at millimetre to centimetre scales and to monitor rapid changes. The ensuing data and interpretations will be useful for decision-making and policy development amongst government agencies and the agricultural, enviro ....Unmanned aerial vehicle sensing and data discovery for a changing planet. This project aims to establish an earth systems monitoring facility, using unmanned aerial vehicles and world-leading sensor technology. It will have the capability to measure the natural and built environment at millimetre to centimetre scales and to monitor rapid changes. The ensuing data and interpretations will be useful for decision-making and policy development amongst government agencies and the agricultural, environmental, civil infrastructure and mining industries.Read moreRead less
Contemporary ecological threats from historical pollution events and their modification by environmental conditions. Many Australian ports have contaminated sediments that are a legacy of industrial pollution. The resuspension of these sediments through shipping or dredging activity represents an obvious, yet unsubstantiated, threat to the biodiversity and health of marine communities living well above the seafloor. This research proposal addresses a strategic knowledge gap with implications for ....Contemporary ecological threats from historical pollution events and their modification by environmental conditions. Many Australian ports have contaminated sediments that are a legacy of industrial pollution. The resuspension of these sediments through shipping or dredging activity represents an obvious, yet unsubstantiated, threat to the biodiversity and health of marine communities living well above the seafloor. This research proposal addresses a strategic knowledge gap with implications for appropriate management of port operations. Identifying the conditions under which contaminated sediments may cause an impact, and the environmental factors that modify these effects, will produce significant advances in scientific understanding and the results will be of strategic interest to all Australian Port Authorities. Read moreRead less
ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functi ....ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functional materials, ii) high-tech IT/communications/sensing materials, iii) materials solutions for manufacturing, iv) materials for a sustainable Australia, and v) emerging materials technologies. Key programs will promote interdisciplinary workshops and early career researcher interactions.Read moreRead less
Exporting risk: the Australian deportation project. This study will investigate the use of deportation. It will test our claim that deportation has a significant impact on institutions, individuals and communities, and will contribute to a more ethically and legally robust approach to deportation.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100952
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A chemical looping process for carbon fibre production from plastics. This project aims to develop Mineral Looping Plastic Reforming (MLPR), a chemical looping reforming process for tonnage production of carbon nanofibers from plastic waste. This efficient process uses naturally occurring minerals (limestone, dolomite and ilmenite) to convert plastic waste to carbon nanofibers. The project will research the inner working of the MLPR process and the reforming reactions of plastics in the presence ....A chemical looping process for carbon fibre production from plastics. This project aims to develop Mineral Looping Plastic Reforming (MLPR), a chemical looping reforming process for tonnage production of carbon nanofibers from plastic waste. This efficient process uses naturally occurring minerals (limestone, dolomite and ilmenite) to convert plastic waste to carbon nanofibers. The project will research the inner working of the MLPR process and the reforming reactions of plastics in the presence of naturally occurring mineral mixtures. This project is expected to make Australia a leader in waste use, facilitate the uptake of abundant waste streams to produce high value products, and resolve sustainability, energy and environmental issues in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100272
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$164,002.00
Summary
Bringing Australian free-access legislation to international best practice standards. Modern Australian law is very heavily based on legislation, and the amount and complexity of legislation increases every year, particularly delegated legislation. It is essential that legislation be interpreted and applied accurately and efficiently for Australia to have high quality legal research, for the operation of the rule of law, and for the effective operation of the legal system. This project will con ....Bringing Australian free-access legislation to international best practice standards. Modern Australian law is very heavily based on legislation, and the amount and complexity of legislation increases every year, particularly delegated legislation. It is essential that legislation be interpreted and applied accurately and efficiently for Australia to have high quality legal research, for the operation of the rule of law, and for the effective operation of the legal system. This project will contribute to all of these national benefits by providing free access for all Australian legal researchers and lawyers to a comprehensive national collection of legislation which meets international best practice standards, includes delegated legislation, and integrates all legislation-related materials.Read moreRead less