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 • 12 Dec 2024
Off-field career pivot for psychology graduate Alex McKinnon
It’s been ten years since Alex McKinnon’s on-field spinal injury ended his career as a professional rugby league player, but today he fulfils a goal from a different field – earning a university degree.
News • 12 Dec 2024
Education that empowers: University of Newcastle celebrates record graduation
More than 3,700 students, including doctors, teachers, psychologists and engineers will be celebrated over five huge days and 13 inspiring ceremonies as the University of Newcastle hosts its largest graduation ever this week.
News • 12 Dec 2024
Dust yourself off and try again: you can do it and become a doctor
Failing doesn’t make you a failure, and it’s not a reason to give up on your dream. That’s what Shelby Edwards discovered while studying medicine at the University of Newcastle.
News • 11 Dec 2024
Dr Goreham named ‘Superstar of STEM’
The University of Newcastle’s Dr Renee Goreham has been named one of Australia’s new Superstars of STEM, joining a select group of 60 scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians recognised for their contributions to the field and their commitment to inspiring future generations.
News • 04 Dec 2024
University to implement new streamlined academic calendar
The University of Newcastle has announced a new academic teaching calendar, which will be introduced from 2026.
News • 03 Dec 2024
Teacher burnout absent in global policy gap
An investigation into professional teaching standards across Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States has found that teacher burnout as a result of a lack of support is costing billions globally.
News • 03 Dec 2024
$2.2 million in ARC Discovery grants to help boost Australian life
Four University of Newcastle research teams have secured more than $2.2 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery grants to help expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability.
News • 03 Dec 2024
Port of Newcastle supports STEM students' race towards a sustainable future in world's largest hydrogen competition
In a first for the Hunter Region, Port of Newcastle will give high school students from five local schools the opportunity to race in the international Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP), gearing them up for a future in the clean energy technology industry alongside 8,000 students from 25 countries worldwide.
News • 27 Nov 2024
AI vs humans: Are AI chatbots ready for real mental health conversations?
Researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) are investigating if AI chatbots can help fill the critical service gap in support services by providing empathetic, 24-hour mental health support.
News • 25 Nov 2024
HMRI honours 2024’s best at Research Excellence Awards
University of Newcastle neurologist, Conjoint Professor Jeannette Lechner-Scott, has been named Researcher of the Year at the 2024 HMRI Research Excellence Awards.
News • 21 Nov 2024
Innovative Startups and Software Engineers among students recognised at Employability Excellence Awards
The University of Newcastle last night celebrated the achievements of six students during their Career-ready Placements and the invaluable contributions of staff and industry partners who provided exceptional workplace experiences, at the annual Employability Excellence Awards.
News • 21 Nov 2024
Advancing equity in research with nine new fellowships
The University of Newcastle has announced its inaugural cohort of the ADVANCE Equity in Research Fellowships.
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.