The effect of climate change on the biogeochemistry of estuarine soft soils. The Australian coastline is dotted with soft clays to a significant depth. These soft clay deposits display excessive settlement characteristics, affecting transport infrastructure. Understanding the couplings between the biogeochemical composition of the pore liquid and the mechanical behaviour of soft soils is essential, but current engineering practice is limited. Sea level rise in Australia will potentially place as ....The effect of climate change on the biogeochemistry of estuarine soft soils. The Australian coastline is dotted with soft clays to a significant depth. These soft clay deposits display excessive settlement characteristics, affecting transport infrastructure. Understanding the couplings between the biogeochemical composition of the pore liquid and the mechanical behaviour of soft soils is essential, but current engineering practice is limited. Sea level rise in Australia will potentially place as much as $67 billion in transport infrastructure at risk; consequently, this project aims to examine the impact of climate change on the biogeochemical processes of estuarine sediments in relation to: geotechnical properties; soft soil stability under sea level change; and soil carbon sequestration.Read moreRead less
Understanding the role of terrain geometry in eruptive bushfire behaviour. This project aims to improve understanding of the physical processes that cause eruptive bushfire behaviour, otherwise known as fire blow-up. Eruptive fire behaviour, characterised by rapid and unexpected escalation in fire intensity and rate of spread, is a global phenomenon that poses a major threat to fire-fighter safety and can seriously compromise bushfire suppression efforts. This project will address the role that ....Understanding the role of terrain geometry in eruptive bushfire behaviour. This project aims to improve understanding of the physical processes that cause eruptive bushfire behaviour, otherwise known as fire blow-up. Eruptive fire behaviour, characterised by rapid and unexpected escalation in fire intensity and rate of spread, is a global phenomenon that poses a major threat to fire-fighter safety and can seriously compromise bushfire suppression efforts. This project will address the role that terrain geometry plays in the incidence of fire eruption, through consideration of its effect on the attachment of flames to a surface. Expected outcomes include a dynamic fire spread modelling framework and the provision of better advice to bushfire authorities concerning fire blow-up.Read moreRead less
PFAS transport through landfill clay liners enhanced with proteins. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmentally persistent, man-made chemicals found likely to be carcinogenic in humans. Due to their non-stick, water and stain repellences, PFAS have long been used in everyday products (food wrappers, carpets, furniture etc.) which end up in landfills. As it is currently unknown how PFAS move through the various components of landfill barriers, their fate and transpor ....PFAS transport through landfill clay liners enhanced with proteins. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmentally persistent, man-made chemicals found likely to be carcinogenic in humans. Due to their non-stick, water and stain repellences, PFAS have long been used in everyday products (food wrappers, carpets, furniture etc.) which end up in landfills. As it is currently unknown how PFAS move through the various components of landfill barriers, their fate and transport has become a priority for the regulators of Australia’s landfill sites according to the Australian 2018 PFAS National Environmental Management Plan. This research will determine PFAS transport through common clay barriers enhanced with proteins which have been shown to be an excellent sorbent for PFAS.Read moreRead less
Indigenous mathematical transforms. A class of mathematical transforms, or systematic conversions between related spaces or objects, was practised by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. Such transforms from ground to night sky were used in long-distance route-recording and wayfinding techniques. This project aims to elucidate these transforms, and to use this knowledge to extend the mathematical framework and applications of Fourier analysis. There is significant potential for new ....Indigenous mathematical transforms. A class of mathematical transforms, or systematic conversions between related spaces or objects, was practised by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. Such transforms from ground to night sky were used in long-distance route-recording and wayfinding techniques. This project aims to elucidate these transforms, and to use this knowledge to extend the mathematical framework and applications of Fourier analysis. There is significant potential for new mathematics to emerge at this exciting interface of Indigenous/non-Indigenous knowledge. Expected outcomes are interdisciplinary research training for Indigenous students and new understanding of Indigenous sciences. Emerging big data technologies such as holography may benefit. Read moreRead less
Indigenous Lifecourse Research, Data Governance and Capacity Building . This project aims to contribute to rectifying 3 significant gaps in Indigenous research in relation to data; a lack of Indigenous lifecourse research to inform policy development; a lack of Indigenous governance of data; and a broader lack of Indigenous statistical literacy and capability. This project expects to address these gaps: by initiating an Indigenous lifecourse research agenda, using existing datasets; by being th ....Indigenous Lifecourse Research, Data Governance and Capacity Building . This project aims to contribute to rectifying 3 significant gaps in Indigenous research in relation to data; a lack of Indigenous lifecourse research to inform policy development; a lack of Indigenous governance of data; and a broader lack of Indigenous statistical literacy and capability. This project expects to address these gaps: by initiating an Indigenous lifecourse research agenda, using existing datasets; by being the first project to model the application of Indigenous data governance to existing data resources; and by delivering a modularised Indigenous Statistics Course, the first of its kind in Australia, plus a set of statistical literacy workshops to Indigenous organisations to meet Indigenous determined data needs.
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Protocols for Indigenous-led creative practice. This project will investigate how Indigenous Design Charters improve the representation of Indigenous content in professional creative practice through in-depth Australian and Canadian case studies. It aims to generate new knowledge by utilising an Indigenous research paradigm to understand the significance of building ethical relationships between practitioners, stakeholders and Indigenous Knowledge. Expected outcomes include an enhanced Indigenou ....Protocols for Indigenous-led creative practice. This project will investigate how Indigenous Design Charters improve the representation of Indigenous content in professional creative practice through in-depth Australian and Canadian case studies. It aims to generate new knowledge by utilising an Indigenous research paradigm to understand the significance of building ethical relationships between practitioners, stakeholders and Indigenous Knowledge. Expected outcomes include an enhanced Indigenous presence in creative practice and greater international collaboration between practice-based researchers. It should provide significant benefits such as increased Indigenous representation in industry and research training, and new resources to engage appropriately with Indigenous Knowledge.Read moreRead less
Co-designing a Food Sovereignty Model with Indigenous Communities. Food sovereignty asserts the rights of people and communities to healthy and culturally appropriate foods through determination of their own food and agriculture systems. With food insecurity higher among Indigenous households; a food sovereignty approach offers the potential for sustainable long-term solutions that maintain human dignity and reinvigorate knowledge systems. Drawing on national and international perspectives and u ....Co-designing a Food Sovereignty Model with Indigenous Communities. Food sovereignty asserts the rights of people and communities to healthy and culturally appropriate foods through determination of their own food and agriculture systems. With food insecurity higher among Indigenous households; a food sovereignty approach offers the potential for sustainable long-term solutions that maintain human dignity and reinvigorate knowledge systems. Drawing on national and international perspectives and using Indigenous research methodologies, this project aims to co-design a food sovereignty model that will enable Indigenous communities to effectively address food insecurity according to their local contexts. Both the process and solutions will contribute to improvements in physical, mental and social wellbeing.Read moreRead less
Understanding the role of deep flaming in violent pyroconvective events. This project aims to improve the prediction of firestorms by combining state-of-the-art knowledge of dynamic bushfire behaviour with atmospheric models to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the heat and moisture released by a bushfire interacts with ambient atmospheric instability to produce extreme fire events. Firestorms represent the most extreme and catastrophic phase of development of a bushfire. They often c ....Understanding the role of deep flaming in violent pyroconvective events. This project aims to improve the prediction of firestorms by combining state-of-the-art knowledge of dynamic bushfire behaviour with atmospheric models to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the heat and moisture released by a bushfire interacts with ambient atmospheric instability to produce extreme fire events. Firestorms represent the most extreme and catastrophic phase of development of a bushfire. They often cause broad-scale loss of property, environmental damage and human fatalities. Firestorms cannot be suppressed, and so accurate and timely warnings of their occurrence, combined with appropriate community responses, are the only way of mitigating their effects. Better understanding of extreme fire processes may improve mitigation planning, community safety, environmental outcomes and emergency response measures.Read moreRead less
Investigation of atypical bushfire spread driven by the interaction of wind, terrain and fire. Large bushfires continue to pose a significant risk to communities in south-eastern Australia. Despite this, there is still very little known about the processes driving the development of large bushfires. This project aims to improve understanding of extreme fire processes and thus improve mitigation planning, community safety and environmental outcomes.
A Deadly Solution:Towards an Indigenous-led bush food industry. Native bushfood and ornamental plants are a significant part of Indigenous biocultural heritage, yet few products are marketed by Indigenous businesses. This research aims to enable Indigenous businesses from bushfoods and native ornamental plants endemic to the Custodial Lands of four Traditional Owner partners. The Project will investigate new technologies for horticultural and food products, product traceability, and transparent ....A Deadly Solution:Towards an Indigenous-led bush food industry. Native bushfood and ornamental plants are a significant part of Indigenous biocultural heritage, yet few products are marketed by Indigenous businesses. This research aims to enable Indigenous businesses from bushfoods and native ornamental plants endemic to the Custodial Lands of four Traditional Owner partners. The Project will investigate new technologies for horticultural and food products, product traceability, and transparent and secure information flows. The expected project outcomes are: bushfood and ornamental plants developed for innovative value chains and business tools. Key expected benefits are: sustainable, profitable Indigenous industries, and revitalisation of Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous biocultural heritage. Read moreRead less