QUT has been awarded six Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) grants totalling $2.4 million.
From seeking life on Mars, to enhancing critical reading with migrant and refugee-background youth, to reducing the impacts of land-based run-off on water quality, the researchers’ projects are diverse.
Dr David Flannery, from QUT’s Science and Engineering Faculty, received funding for the ‘Searching for Life on Mars on Earth’ project. This will deliver the most comprehensive investigation of Earth’s oldest know river/lake deposits in Western Australia and produce a detailed reconstruction of the ancient lake environment, which is similar to the environment to be explored by NASA’s Mars 2020 rover.
‘Searching for Life on Mars on Earth’ project.
Dr Aaron McFadyen, also from the Science and Engineering Faculty, will study mid-air collision risks associated with drones in an effort to modernise urban air transportation.
Dr Erin O’Brien, from the Faculty of Law, received funding for her ‘Australian civil society combating modern slavery with ethical consumerism’ project. This aims to generate new knowledge on how civil society can work with the state to address the issues with ethical consumerism.
Dr Kylie Pappalardo, also from the Faculty of Law, received funding for her research ‘Reconceptualising copyright to improve access to screen culture’, while Dr Jennifer Alford, from the Faculty of Education, will study ‘Enhancing critical reading with migrant and refugee-background youth’. The study will identify the reading practices of these groups and create resources to enhance their skills out of school.
Dr Angela Guerrero Gonzalez will look at how social and trade networks influence adoption of sustainable practices. The research outcomes are expected to lead to the development of cost-effective stakeholder engagement solutions that will increase the uptake of sustainable practices
Main image: Dr Aaron McFadyen, from the Science and Engineering Faculty, will study mid-air collision risks associated with drones in an effort to modernise urban air transportation.
Media contacts:
Madeline Healy, QUT Media, 07 3138 3038 or m5.healy@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
CRICOS No.: 00213J
