Hypergraph models for complex discrete systems. This project aims to better understand the structure and properties of very large hypergraphs of various kinds. Hypergraphs are very general mathematical objects which can be used to model complex discrete systems. They arise naturally in many areas such as ecology, chemistry and computer science. Despite this, our theoretical understanding of very large, or random, hypergraphs lags far behind the intensely-studied special case of graphs. This proj ....Hypergraph models for complex discrete systems. This project aims to better understand the structure and properties of very large hypergraphs of various kinds. Hypergraphs are very general mathematical objects which can be used to model complex discrete systems. They arise naturally in many areas such as ecology, chemistry and computer science. Despite this, our theoretical understanding of very large, or random, hypergraphs lags far behind the intensely-studied special case of graphs. This project will answer many fundamental questions about large, random hypergraphs. The expected outcomes of the project also include new tools for working with hypergraphs, such as efficient algorithms for sampling hypergraphs. These outcomes will benefit researchers who use hypergraphs in their work and will enhance Australia's reputation for research in this area.Read moreRead less
A new model for random discrete structures: distributions, counting and sampling. Random discrete structures are used in countless applications across science for modelling complex systems. This project will study a new, very general model of random discrete structures which encapsulates both random networks and random matrices. This project will develop general tools for working with this model, thereby unlocking the model for use by practitioners in areas such as physics, biology, statistics a ....A new model for random discrete structures: distributions, counting and sampling. Random discrete structures are used in countless applications across science for modelling complex systems. This project will study a new, very general model of random discrete structures which encapsulates both random networks and random matrices. This project will develop general tools for working with this model, thereby unlocking the model for use by practitioners in areas such as physics, biology, statistics and cryptography. The questions that will be tackled are fundamental problems in probability, and include as special cases the analysis of subgraph distribution in models of random networks, and the joint distribution of entries of contingency tables, which are important in statistics.Read moreRead less
Discrimination in Policing: Evidences from Natural Experiments. Ensuring that institutions are discrimination-free is key for the harmony of a society and the strength of a nation’s social contract. This research aims to investigate whether Australian law enforcement discriminates against certain groups and to explore the mechanisms explaining how it decides with whom to strictly enforce the law and
with whom to be lenient. This research program focuses on speeding fines as they offer unique nat ....Discrimination in Policing: Evidences from Natural Experiments. Ensuring that institutions are discrimination-free is key for the harmony of a society and the strength of a nation’s social contract. This research aims to investigate whether Australian law enforcement discriminates against certain groups and to explore the mechanisms explaining how it decides with whom to strictly enforce the law and
with whom to be lenient. This research program focuses on speeding fines as they offer unique natural experiments allowing rigorous exploration of these issues. The expected outcome is a better understanding of discrimination in Australia and the factors explaining it, which should contribute to better policy design and lead to more equitable treatment for all Australians.Read moreRead less
Government, Institutions and Economic Activity: A Long Term Analysis. Using national and regional data for 30 to 50 countries over multiple centuries, this project will examine the effects of itemised government expenditure and revenue on productivity, investment, saving, labour force participation and research and development. The results are expected to shed light on the macroeconomic effects of different revenue and spending categories (education, transfers, and so on). In addition, the proje ....Government, Institutions and Economic Activity: A Long Term Analysis. Using national and regional data for 30 to 50 countries over multiple centuries, this project will examine the effects of itemised government expenditure and revenue on productivity, investment, saving, labour force participation and research and development. The results are expected to shed light on the macroeconomic effects of different revenue and spending categories (education, transfers, and so on). In addition, the project aims to determine which factors have been responsible for the increase of government size over the past two centuries. The results aim to further reveal which government revenue and expenditure items are most conducive to economic welfare and growth.Read moreRead less
The economics of cooperative behaviour. Free-riding and rent-seeking, such as tax avoidance and nepotism, are group-undermining activities that societies including Australia continuously struggle with. The aim of this project is to develop a fuller understanding of how to protect human groups from these socially damaging group-related behaviours. Drawing on a conceptual grounding that combines ideas from across social science, the project aims to implement a suite of economic experiments to deve ....The economics of cooperative behaviour. Free-riding and rent-seeking, such as tax avoidance and nepotism, are group-undermining activities that societies including Australia continuously struggle with. The aim of this project is to develop a fuller understanding of how to protect human groups from these socially damaging group-related behaviours. Drawing on a conceptual grounding that combines ideas from across social science, the project aims to implement a suite of economic experiments to develop a view of humans' cooperative behaviour that unites several strands of economics literature and offers new insights about how institutions that counter free-riding and rent-seeking arise and are maintained.Read moreRead less
A new approach to compressed sensing. Compressed sensing is an exciting new paradigm promising vastly improved signal sampling and reconstruction in a wide variety of applications including digital cameras, mobile phones and MRI machines. This project will explore a newly discovered approach to compressed sensing which uses mathematical arrays known as hash families.
Analysis of the structure of latin squares. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics are boom disciplines of the computer age and this project seeks new knowledge concerning basic building blocks of combinatorial mathematics. The outcomes will be of interest to theoretical discrete mathematicians around the world, enhancing Australia's already high research profile in this important area ....Analysis of the structure of latin squares. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics are boom disciplines of the computer age and this project seeks new knowledge concerning basic building blocks of combinatorial mathematics. The outcomes will be of interest to theoretical discrete mathematicians around the world, enhancing Australia's already high research profile in this important area of pure mathematical research. Importantly, the problems under investigation offer substantial opportunity for excellent postgraduate training, critical for the future of Australian research. Read moreRead less
Cycle decompositions of graphs. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. This project aims to solve long-standing and significant open problems in the field of mathematics known as graph theory. Solving such problems will undoubtedly bring Australian research in this field to the fore, and help to enhance Australia's international research profile generally. The project offers substantial postgraduate training in the form of t ....Cycle decompositions of graphs. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. This project aims to solve long-standing and significant open problems in the field of mathematics known as graph theory. Solving such problems will undoubtedly bring Australian research in this field to the fore, and help to enhance Australia's international research profile generally. The project offers substantial postgraduate training in the form of three excellent PhD projects in discrete mathematics. The computer age has ensured that this is a booming discipline and an increasing component of undergraduate syllabi around the world. It is thus a crucial area in which to be providing quality research training.Read moreRead less
Applying satellite luminosity data to analyse the redistributive aspects of corruption and rent-seeking. This project applies satellite luminosity data as a proxy for regional economic activity to analyse the redistributive effects of political rent-seeking, corruption and the shadow economy. This project will identify the beneficiaries of rent-seeking, the sources of these rents and political institutions that reduce rent-seeking activities.
Symmetrical graphs, generalized polygons and expanders. This project proposes to study a class of highly symmetrical graphs -- locally s-arc-transitive graphs. Studying the class of graphs has been one of the central topics in algebraic graph theory for over 50 years. This class of graphs has been effectively used in computer science, communication network, group theory, geometry, and other areas. This project will develop new methods to solve several fundamental problems regarding locally s-arc ....Symmetrical graphs, generalized polygons and expanders. This project proposes to study a class of highly symmetrical graphs -- locally s-arc-transitive graphs. Studying the class of graphs has been one of the central topics in algebraic graph theory for over 50 years. This class of graphs has been effectively used in computer science, communication network, group theory, geometry, and other areas. This project will develop new methods to solve several fundamental problems regarding locally s-arc-transitive graphs, and apply the outcomes to solve important problems in communication networks, graph theory, group theory, and geometry.Read moreRead less