Western researchers secure more than $2.9 million to support strategic partnerships

Western Sydney University researchers have collectively secured more than $2.9 million across four projects in grant funding through the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Linkage Project scheme.

The highly competitive scheme promotes national and international partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations and other publicly funded research agencies.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Ian Anderson said the funding success reflects Western’s commitment to being a partner of choice for industry, government and community.

“This funding success reflects Western’s commitment to innovation, excellence and working in genuine partnership to arrive at transformative and sustainable solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges,” said Professor Anderson.

The project, ‘Harnessing Motivation Science to Optimise Wellbeing Programs for Aged Care’ – which received $478,686 – will be led by Associate Professor Celia Harris from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development. The research team includes Western’s Dr Ruth Brookman from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development and Dr Rhiannon White from the School of Health Science.

This project aims to discover how motivation science can be used to increase engagement of older people with exercise programs within residential aged care. By understanding motivations that drive older people—especially those at-risk of isolation and disengagement—this research will support industry providers in improving the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of older Australians in residential aged care.

The project, ‘Mapping and managing the Bogong moth breeding grounds’ – which received $1,498,949 – will be led by Associate Professor Kate Umbers from the School of Science.

This project aims to create a continent-wide network of land managers including Traditional Custodians that will locate and manage Bogong moth breeding grounds. The project will provide significant benefits in understanding insect movement across Australia, and in Bogong sensitive land management design for conservation incentives.

The project, ‘Bridging Continents: Sustainable Chinese Herb Cultivation in Australia’ – which received $490,737 – will be led by Professor Dr Xiaoshu Zhu from the School of Health Sciences. The research team includes Western’s Professor Chun Guang Li from Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute, Associate Professor Yi Guo from the School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences and Dr Michelle Mak from the School of Science.

This project aims to establish a scientifically validated, low-carbon cultivation model for Chinese medicinal herbs (CMH) in Australia. It also addresses the current lack of locally grown CMH that meet international standards by combining field trials, laboratory analysis, life cycle assessment, and digital modelling. The project will help deliver economic, environmental, and cultural benefits, creating a sustainable agribusiness sector and positioning Australia as a global leader in botanical medicine production.

The project, ‘Sustainable Wind Turbine Blade Recycling in Australia’ – which received $450,000 – will be led by Professor Vivian Tam from the School of Built Environment and Design. The research team includes Western’s Associate Professor Khoa Le from the School of Engineering.

This project aims to develop a national framework for managing decommissioned wind turbine blades by forecasting blade retirements, assessing recycling options and designing a reverse logistics network. The project will offer significant practical benefits such as reducing landfill and emissions, supporting a circular economy and contributing to national climate targets.

For a full list of funded Linkage Project scheme projects, go to: https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/1b0c8b2e-7bb0-4f2d-8f52-ad207cfbb41d/290

ENDS.

21 May 2026
Media Unit