Gravitational-wave astrophysics of binary black holes. Do black holes live alone, or form lasting gravitational partnerships? This question is of immense significance to astronomers. The emerging field of gravitational-wave astronomy is set to provide the answers. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to search for black hole pairs using leading technologies built with Australian expertise.
Policing the border: security, human rights and gender. Women are the fastest growing group undertaking extra-legal border crossing, yet we know little about the gendered character of border enforcement. This project will develop a regulatory framework for border policing that is adaptable to the gender determinants of mobility, human rights and the future challenges of border management.
A mathematical analysis of the influence of small scale inhomogeneities on the evolution of the universe. A fundamental unresolved problem in modern cosmology is to quantify the influence of small-scale inhomogeneities on the evolution of the universe. This project will develop the mathematical techniques required to resolve this question. In addition, these techniques will have important applications to the analysis of astronomical data.
Gravitational wave detection with current and future radio telescopes. This project will aim to detect gravitational waves using precision pulsar timing observations. Direct detection of these waves is of huge international importance and will keep Australia at the forefront of the new research field of gravitational wave astronomy that will continue to grow with the planned radio telescopes of the future.
Dark matter, dark energy, and dark flow: galaxy motion reveals fundamental physics. The twin mysteries of dark matter and dark energy present a profound challenge to modern physics. Capitalising on new Australian technology to measure the motion of tens of thousands of galaxies, we will detect unseen matter by its gravitational influence and thus illuminate the nature of the dark components of the universe.
Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower ....Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower frequencies. This project will ensure Australia's continued involvement in the international Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory) project and guarantee Australian participation in the first direct detection of gravitational waves.Read moreRead less
Extreme astrophysics in the age of gravitational waves. This project aims to probe the most catastrophic explosions in the universe. It will use gravitational wave astronomy to detect an exotic effect that causes space to permanently deform following cataclysmic events, determine the origin of binary black holes by measuring statistical properties of many mergers, and use observations of colliding neutron stars to understand the physics of the biggest explosions in the Universe. This project wil ....Extreme astrophysics in the age of gravitational waves. This project aims to probe the most catastrophic explosions in the universe. It will use gravitational wave astronomy to detect an exotic effect that causes space to permanently deform following cataclysmic events, determine the origin of binary black holes by measuring statistical properties of many mergers, and use observations of colliding neutron stars to understand the physics of the biggest explosions in the Universe. This project will lay the framework for the next decade of the new field of gravitational-wave astronomy.Read moreRead less
Gravitational-wave astronomy: detection and beyond. This project aims to detect ripples in the fabric of spacetime known as gravitational waves by using new data analysis techniques while developing technology to enable the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors. Detection of gravitational waves would constitute a revolution in astronomy, allowing us to probe the most dramatic events in the Universe with a new form of radiation. During the next five years, it is probable that gravitatio ....Gravitational-wave astronomy: detection and beyond. This project aims to detect ripples in the fabric of spacetime known as gravitational waves by using new data analysis techniques while developing technology to enable the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors. Detection of gravitational waves would constitute a revolution in astronomy, allowing us to probe the most dramatic events in the Universe with a new form of radiation. During the next five years, it is probable that gravitational waves will be detected. Terrestrial detectors, operating in the audio band, and pulsar timing arrays, operating in the nanohertz band, are both rapidly approaching the required sensitivity. This project is designed to make important contributions to gravitational-wave astronomy at a crucial time.Read moreRead less
In Public / In Focus: Photography, Testimony and the Public Sphere. Photography plays an important but little understood role in the public sphere. Photographs invite viewers to identify with stories, events and others, and the ease with which photographs circulate in print and online makes them ideal for fostering discourse and debate. However, the increasing focus on testimony and witness in contemporary culture has recently altered the way that photography operates in public and raised some s ....In Public / In Focus: Photography, Testimony and the Public Sphere. Photography plays an important but little understood role in the public sphere. Photographs invite viewers to identify with stories, events and others, and the ease with which photographs circulate in print and online makes them ideal for fostering discourse and debate. However, the increasing focus on testimony and witness in contemporary culture has recently altered the way that photography operates in public and raised some significant problems for photography historians regarding the representation of events, others and the past. This project will respond to these problems, and produce a new understanding of the historical, social, cultural and political links between photography and the public sphere today.Read moreRead less
Explorations in the Foundations of Quantum Gravity. Despite almost a century of struggle, gravitation (as described by Einstein's general theory of relativity) remains divided from the principles of quantum theory (the framework in which our best theories of particle physics are couched). Bringing them together constitutes one of the most urgent problems of physics. By exploring the foundations of the problem, and the various proposed resolutions, from both historical and philosophical perspecti ....Explorations in the Foundations of Quantum Gravity. Despite almost a century of struggle, gravitation (as described by Einstein's general theory of relativity) remains divided from the principles of quantum theory (the framework in which our best theories of particle physics are couched). Bringing them together constitutes one of the most urgent problems of physics. By exploring the foundations of the problem, and the various proposed resolutions, from both historical and philosophical perspectives, this project aims both to shed new light on why it so stubbornly resists a solution and to assist in its solution. It will map out the specific features of the various approaches to quantum gravity with a view to offering researchers a helpful tool to navigate and compare their virtues and vices.Read moreRead less