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Our research drives transformative innovation and impact. Here, you’ll find passionate researchers working at the cutting edge of their fields, committed to changing lives for the better and ensuring a thriving future for all.
News
Young innovators explore sustainable housing through SMART eco-house program
Primary school students are building clay-and-straw eco-houses, testing them with thermal imaging cameras and exploring renewable energy through a collaboration between the University of Newcastle's SMART Program and the School of Architecture and Built Environment.
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Researchers uncover a silver lining to Australia’s solar panel landfill problem
Australia’s growing mountain of solar panel waste could become far more valuable, with University of Newcastle researchers taking a major step towards making solar panel-recycling economically sustainable.
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Social justice researcher takes out top honours at Three Minute Thesis final
Turning a complex social justice issue into a powerful presentation has earned University of Newcastle PhD candidate Saskia Jones first place in the 2026 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) final.
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Two Hunter researchers backed with $200,000 to turn breakthrough ideas into better health
Two Hunter researchers have secured the 2026 Newcastle Permanent Innovator Fellowships, receiving $100,000 each to help turn their medical research ideas into life-saving solutions.
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National intelligence funding secured to turn hackers’ thinking against them
A University of Newcastle project designed to expose and exploit weaknesses in the way cyber attackers think has been awarded $783,409 Office of National Intelligence funding through the National Intelligence Discovery Grant program, funded by the Australian Government.
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Student entrepreneurs dive into Hong Kong's startup ecosystem
Sixteen University of Newcastle undergraduate students got a crash course in the world of international startups, during a four-week placement at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporation (HKSTP).
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Research Impact
We work with industry, community and government partners to translate research into real-world impact that makes a positive difference to our regions and our world.
Featured stories
We have a strong track record for driving discoveries across a host of research disciplines. By leveraging the unique history of our region – and our research and academic excellence – we want our university and our regions to be the ultimate test bed for innovation.
“I thought I was a bad mother”: How telehealth changed a young boy’s life and gave a family hope
“I thought I was a bad mother,” says Marlie Matthews, tearfully. “I tried everything, but Marcus was getting more and more behind. He wasn’t speaking much and when he did, I couldn’t understand him. It was very hard on all of us.”
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Girls in STEM
Female high school students in the Hunter are being inspired to pursue meaningful careers in STEM thanks to a unique program created over a conversation at a campus cafe.
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New video shows sharks making an easy meal of spiky sea urchins
Long-spined sea urchins have emerged as an environmental issue off Australia’s far south coast.
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Awards and honours
Our University is home to some of the world’s most well-regarded researchers. Our experts have earned national and international accolades for work in engineering, health and medical research, education, Indigenous studies and more.
Kelvin Kong
Australia’s first Aboriginal surgeon, Professor Kelvin Kong AM, has dedicated his career to improving health and learning outcomes of Aboriginal children. In recognition of his leadership, research excellence and advocacy, he was named National NAIDOC Person of the Year in 2023 and received the prestigious Menzies Medallion in 2020.
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Clare Collins
Laureate Professor Clare Collins AOM is an internationally acclaimed leader in nutrition and dietetics. She’s in the top 1% of the world’s most cited scientists, has secured more than $35 million in research funding, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW, the Nutrition Society of Australia, and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
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Matt Dun
Professor Matt Dun OAM is one Australia’s leading paediatric cancer researchers, specialising in rare brain cancers. He holds over 35 national and international awards, including Medal of the Order of Australia (2026), the Australian Financial Review Emerging Leadership Award (2025), and the Australian Society for Medical Research Medal (2024).
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Nick Talley
Laureate Professor Nick Talley has been named Australia's #1 medical researcher two years in a row. As one of the world’s leading gastroenterologists, Professor Talley's has received numerous international awards, was named the NSW Scientist of the Year in 2018, and was one of the inaugural Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
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Anna Giacomini
Professor Anna Giacomini is one of Australia’s leading experts on rockfall mechanics and protection design. She received the John Booker Medal for Engineering Excellence (2019), a Prize for Excellence at the NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering (2022), and became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2023).
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Myles Young
Associate Professor Myles Young is on a mission to improve men’s physical and mental health. His efforts to develop and assess different types of mental health therapies for men earned him recognition from AMP Foundation Tomorrow Maker Awards, the Hunter Safety Awards, the BUPA Foundation Awards, and the Sports Medicine Australia Awards.
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Heather Lee
Dr Heather is part of a $25 million research program aimed at preventing breast cancer recurrence. She's also advancing research to fight various forms of leukaemia and won the prestigious Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell Research for her work to improve survival rates for leukaemia patients.
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Behdad Moghtaderi
Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi is transforming the energy and mining sectors with breakthroughs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. His expertise has earned him numerous awards, seen him publish over 280 journal articles, and contributed to collaborations with partners in nearly 20 countries.
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Nikola Bowden
Awarding-winning molecular biologist Professor Nikola Bowden is giving cancer patients new treatment options – and new hope – by finding ways to overcome drug resistance in melanoma and ovarian cancer. The recipient of an unprecedented 10-year research fellowship, Nikola has led a string of studies to advance personalised and precision medicine.
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Kevin Galvin
Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin’s innovations are driving economic benefits and reducing environmental impacts across the global resources sector. His research excellence and commercial achievements have earned him numerous national and international awards and the respect of industry partners around the world.
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David Lubans
Professor David Lubans is improving the health and wellbeing of young people across the globe. He supported the development of a world-first lifestyle program for fathers and their daughters, spearheaded the University's Global Sport and Movement Collaborative research centre, and is in the top 1% of the world's most cited social scientists.
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Zolt Balogh
Professor Zsolt Balogh has been named the top Emergency Medicine researcher in the country by Research Magazine - three times. He designed the University's Master of Traumatology program, which blends clinically led research and teaching to support tomorrow’s trauma specialists. His research is also improving long-term survival rates for trauma patients.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.