Affordable and Clean Energy
Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency
The University of Newcastle delivers community and school outreach that helps people explore energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the role of engineering in a lower-emissions future.
Clean energy innovation in the Hunter
On 2 April 2025, the University's I2N Startup Stories program at the Honeysuckle Innovation Hub featured University alumnus Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech. The public event explored how a Newcastle cleantech startup is making ammonia production cleaner and more energy efficient, using less energy while reducing emissions and manufacturing costs.
The session connected clean-energy research and entrepreneurship with the Hunter's startup community, showing how energy-efficiency innovation can move from the laboratory into practical industrial applications.
Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech.
Energy learning through the Science and Engineering Challenge
The University's Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program delivered in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. In 2025, more than 26,800 students from over 873 schools took part, including Challenge and Discovery Days in Newcastle, the Central Coast and other regional communities.
Energy and sustainability are built into the program's hands-on activities. In ElectraCITY, students design an electricity network for a model city and must find the most efficient, lowest-cost way to supply buildings while accounting for cable resistance and infrastructure costs. Other activities include wind-turbine design and environmentally responsive housing.
The 2025 event calendar included Newcastle Challenge Days from 4-10 April and Newcastle Discovery Days from 8-12 September, alongside events throughout New South Wales and every Australian state and territory.
The National Science and Engineering Challenge
Building energy literacy through practical outreach
These programs give school students, community members, innovators and local industry practical ways to engage with energy efficiency and clean-energy solutions. They connect technical concepts with real-world decisions about electricity use, industrial processes, renewable technologies and sustainable design.
2024 Annual Spring School
The University of Newcastle's centre for organic electronics (COE) successfully hosted its 14th annual spring school. In 2024, this three-day event provided undergraduate students from various disciplines, including Science, Math, IT, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, with an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in organic electronics. The program featured lectures from local and international experts, hands-on experiences in COE labs, and interactive think tank sessions aimed at inspiring students to pursue research careers. Highlights included fabricating organic solar cells, operating advanced microscopes, racing simulated EV cars, and learning about Printed Solar and its recycling. Accredited by CIFAL Newcastle and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), students received formal recognition for their participation. The event, sponsored by Spruson & Ferguson Intellectual Property and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, saw students awarded for solar cell efficiency and EV racing. Following the event’s success, many students expressed interest in continuing their research journey with the COE.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
Learn more
News • 30 Oct 2025
Polymer science PhD student wins prestigious ATSE award
University of Newcastle PhD student, Zachary Di Pietro, has been recognised at the prestigious Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) awards for outstanding work in polymer science.
News • 30 Oct 2025
University proposes new student accommodation at Callaghan Campus
The University of Newcastle is continuing its investment in the Callaghan Campus, having submitted a Regionally Significant Development Application (RSDA) for the construction of a new student accommodation building.
News • 30 Oct 2025
Healthy recognition: Dietitian earns prestigious Australian science honour
In a landmark recognition of her pioneering work in nutrition science, University of Newcastle Professor Tracy Burrows has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS)—one of the nation’s highest honours in health research.
News • 29 Oct 2025
New animal study links Williamtown PFAS levels to male reproductive impacts
New research from the University of Newcastle has revealed PFAS levels matching those found in the Williamtown contamination zone could significantly alter male reproductive health in animals – even without visibly damaging sperm.
News • 29 Oct 2025
Nine Newcastle teams secure $5.4m in ARC Discovery grants to unearth new knowledge
Nine University of Newcastle research teams will spearhead projects to advance Australia’s knowledge in key priority areas, supported by more than $5.4 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) 2026 Discovery Project grants.
News • 27 Oct 2025
Heart of the problem is short lifespan of disease prevention programs
Researchers will place Australia’s heart disease prevention programs under the microscope to determine why many fail to last beyond two years - and will develop solutions to help sustain them long-term.
News • 24 Oct 2025
University of Newcastle commemorates graduate excellence
The Alumni Excellence Awards were celebrated last night, recognising exceptional University of Newcastle graduates making an impact across diplomacy, arts, mental health, healthcare and human rights.
News • 23 Oct 2025
Grand Challenge winners share in $30,000 to bring circular economy ideas to life
From gamifying recycling to re-using decommissioned wind turbine blades, the University of Newcastle’s Grand Challenge has inspired winning ideas to support a circular economy.
News • 20 Oct 2025
University of Newcastle Launches Global Sport and Movement Collaborative to ‘Move the World’
The University of Newcastle has launched the Global Sport and Movement Collaborative (GSMC), a bold new initiative designed to tackle global challenges through sport, exercise, and innovation.
News • 13 Oct 2025
University of Newcastle gears up for 2026 expansion
The final touches are being placed on the University of Newcastle’s new campus at Gosford Central on Mann Street, with construction scheduled for completion next month.
News • 02 Oct 2025
'You'll never go to university': Deputy Vice-Chancellor proved doubters wrong
By Damon Cronshaw for the Newcastle Herald.
News • 01 Oct 2025
Central Coast twins tackle university to support local mob
Juggling work, study and sport could be challenging for Wiradjuri/Gomeroi twins, Bailey and Leigtham, but there is a clear mission that drives them forward.
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.