UQ researchers awarded ARC Linkage Projects funding

Researchers from The University of Queensland have received more than $3.7 million through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme.

UQ received the highest number of grants and total funding from the ARC in round one of the 2023 scheme.

The seven UQ projects will support Australian Government research priority areas, from developing new methods of recycling agricultural waste to improving understanding of client-related burnout in healthcare workers.

The funding will enable researchers to enhance the scale and focus of their projects in collaboration with national and international research partners.

UQ Linkage Projects 2023 round one recipients:

• Dr Joel Carpenter will lead research to advance optical systems for biomedical imaging, telecommunications, manufacturing and quantum information processing, establishing new applications and methods for industry.
• Dr Yusuf Kaneti will lead research to develop new commercial opportunities for agricultural waste, advancing technology for low-cost renewable hydrogen production through converting agricultural waste into non-precious metal catalysts.
• Professor Martine Maron will lead a project to improve how biodiversity is measured and inform better evaluation, restoration and monitoring by developing a data-driven system to describe animal communities.
• Professor Yongjun Peng will lead research to improve the processing of copper minerals by developing cost-effective methods to selectively reject waste minerals while increasing production.
• Dr Jemma Venables will lead research to improve the safety and wellbeing of adolescents in out-of-home care by informing policies and practices to support adolescents and reduce the socio-economic burdens on health and justice systems. 
• Professor Andrew Whittaker will lead research to advance manufacturing of computer chips. The project will develop new processes and equipment for industry, and help train the next generation of Australian researchers.
• Associate Professor Courtney von Hippel will lead research to inform interventions to reduce burnout and strengthen resilience, engagement and longevity among healthcare workers who treat people with mental health diseases or addiction.

The ARC announced more than $26 million to 50 collaborative research projects across Australia.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au; +61 429 056 139