Western researchers secure $1.3 million to drive collaboration and innovation

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Western Sydney University researchers have secured more than $1.3 million in ARC grant funding through the Australian Research Council’s highly competitive Linkage Program.

The ARC Linkage Program promotes national and international long term strategic research partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations and other publicly funded research agencies.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise & International) Professor Deborah Sweeney said the funding success reflects Western’s commitment to being at the forefront of translating research into impactful and measurable outcomes.

“Western’s outward-facing research focus and sustained research excellence – combined with a drive to be a partner of choice for industry, government and communities – optimises translation and drives innovation. It is this convergence of strength that contributes to impactful economic, social and environmental change,” said Professor Sweeney.

The outcome from this round of grant funding – which saw Western secure $1,351,506 – represents a 57% success rate for the University. The following projects were successfully funded:

  • Dr Celia Harris (MARCS Institute/School of Psychology) and Professor Kate Stevens (MARCS Institute) – Improving aged care with memory conversations ($331,536)
  • Dr Ee Ling Quah (School of Humanities and Communication Arts/ Institute for Culture and Society), Associate Professor Nida Denson (School of Social Sciences/ Young and Resilient Research Centre), Dr Teddy Nagaddya (School of Social Sciences) – Place-based employment and enterprise of newly arrived young migrant women ($150,000)
  • Associate Professor Tanya Notley (School of Humanities and Communication Arts/ Institute for Culture and Society) – Addressing misinformation with media literacy through cultural institutions ($507,970)
  • Professor Richard Yang, Professor Sarah Zhang, Associate Professor Kejun Dong, Dr Zhongpu Zhang (School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment) – Transforming pastefill delivery system for next generation mining system ($362,000)
  • Professor Paul James (Institute for Culture and Society) who is named on the project – Extinction Imaginaries: mapping affective visual cultures in Australasia – being led by RMIT and Associate Professor Corrine Sullivan (School of Social Sciences) named on – Storying and repairing water places in Wiradjuri Country – led by Macquarie University.

The ARC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Judi Zielke PSM said that collaborative research is fundamental to transforming industries, building communities, and strengthening the Australian economy.

“By supporting the development of partnerships, the ARC encourages the transfer of skills, knowledge, and ideas as a basis for securing social, commercial and other benefits of research,” said Ms Zielke.

More details about the ARC Linkage Projects are available on the ARC Website (opens in a new window).

ENDS

8 February 2023

Media Unit.