Research focus delivers ARC success

RMIT University's high-quality and high-impact research has received more than $2.2 million from the latest Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant application round.

The number of grants awarded to RMIT was the second most in the Australian Technology Network of universities and fourth in Victoria, with a wide distribution of successful grants in areas of research focus.

RMIT was awarded eight ARC Linkage grants, which includes grants awarded to Vice-Chancellor's Senior Fellow Dr Heather Horst and Future Fellow Professor Helen Lingard, as well as several Platform Technologies Research Institute researchers, including Institute Director, Professor Xinghou Yu.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President, Professor Daine Alcorn, said the University's excellence in its chosen fields was strategically aligned with a growing network of partnerships and industries.

"It takes significant effort to secure the matching funding for Linkage grants and we are grateful for our researchers' dedicated collaborative work with our industry partners," Professor Alcorn said.

"Through these ARC grants, RMIT continues to strengthen its reputation for innovative research that builds the capacity of industry and the community."

In announcing 185 new research projects funded through the linkage grant scheme, Science and Research Minister, Senator Chris Evans, said quality research and development was helping transform industries, build communities and strengthen the Australian economy.

"The Government is encouraging collaboration between researchers, industries, and communities to work together and find solutions to everyday problems like healthcare, skills shortages, food security and our changing climate," Senator Evans said.

The ARC drew attention to three universities in each state, putting the spotlight on a bioactive honey and honey-based cosmetic formulations project led by Professor Eddie Pang in RMIT's School of Applied Sciences.

Professor Pang's project will evaluate the entire spectrum of plant bioactive compounds that are transferred to the honey and develop novel bioactive honeys with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The project, which received $134,553 in ARC funding, will also develop new honey-based cosmetic products such as creams, gels and foams. The industry partners for the research are Stiefel Research Australia and Greenwood Investments.

Other RMIT research projects to receive funding:

• An integrated and real-time passenger travel and public transport service information system led by Professor Athman Bouguettaya, Head of the School of Computer Science and Information Technology (ARC funding: $510,000; Industry partners: Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing, Victorian Department of Transport)
• TRIIBE - Tracking Indoor Information Behaviour led by Professor Mark Sanderson, School of Computer Science and Information Technology (ARC funding: $225,000; Industry partner: Viocorp Systems Intelligence)
• Novel and cost effective mixing technique for anaerobic digesters in municipal wastewater treatment plants led by Professor Paul T Slatter, School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering (ARC funding: $250,000; Industry partners: Melbourne Water Corporation and South East Water)
• Improving affordability of composite materials to meet sustainability challenges led by Professor Chun Wang, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (ARC funding: $360,000; Industry partner: Cfusion)
• Data mining complex transactional and criminal networks led by Professor Xinghuo Yu, Director, Platform Technologies Research Institute (ARC funding: $240,000; Industry partner: AUSTRAC)
• Mobilising media for sustainable outcomes in the Pacific region led by Dr Heather Horst, School of Media and Communication (ARC funding: $290,621; Industry partner: ABC International Projects)
• Safe and healthy construction: the influence of clients in driving improvement through construction procurement and project management practices led by Professor Helen Lingard, School of Property, Construction and Project Management (ARC funding: $210,000; Industry partners: Metro Trains Melbourne, Port of Melbourne Corporation, Victorian Department of Business and Innovation)

More news

Subscribe to RMIT news RSS feeds