Deakin research to receive more than $8 million in ARC award funds

The funding, announced by Federal Education Minister the Hon. Dan Tehan MP, includes $5.4 million for 15 ARC Discovery Projects.

The number of ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) projects awarded to Deakin researchers for 2019 has doubled from last year, with $3 million to fund eight projects.

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Aaron Russell thanked the Federal Government and congratulated Deakin’s research staff on their resounding success.

"The outcome for Deakin University in this round is excellent, and I would like to extend my appreciation to the Minister and the ARC, as well as all those passionate Deakin researchers who have worked long and hard to have our research recognised and rewarded," Professor Russell said.

"The work associated with major grant applications is considerable, requiring many hours of preparation and dedication. The success of our staff, particularly for the DECRA projects, is a reflection of the vibrant research community that our faculties and institutes are creating to support innovative and cutting edge research in Australia."

Six of Deakin's eight DECRA recipients for 2019 were from the University's Faculty of Arts and Education, with the final two awards going to researchers in the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM).

Among the DECRA recipients was cultural anthropologist Dr Timothy Neale, who will receive funding for pyrosecurity research to examine cultural and political factors that have shaped bushfire management in Australasia, developing practices and management strategies to better cope with bushfire events in a changing world.

Of the 15 ARC Discovery Project grants, four each were awarded to the Faculty of Arts and Education, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, and IFM, with another two grants going to the Faculty of Health and the final grant going to the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research.

Deakin-led ARC Discovery Projects to be funded for 2019 include a project from the School of Health and Social Development's Associate Professor Samantha Thomas and her team investigating the normalisation of gambling in Australia, with the aim of developing a comprehensive range of public health strategies to prevent gambling risks and harms.

Other projects include Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation's Professor Emma Kowal and a team of researchers investigating the impact of epigenetics among Indigenous Australians, looking at how life experiences such as trauma or stress can modify DNA and be passed on to negatively affect the health and development of future generations.

Professor Russell also congratulated the score of Deakin University researchers who were part of successful ARC grants led by other institutions, with more than $380 million going to university research projects across Australia in this round of funding.