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 • 11 Feb 2022
Mental health trailblazer to lead national Women in Health Science Committee
The University of Newcastle’s Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin is the new Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Women in Health Science Committee.
News • 10 Feb 2022
University of Newcastle Business School earns place among world’s best
The University of Newcastle Business School has been granted European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) Accreditation, joining the world’s leading providers of business education.
News • 07 Feb 2022
University of Newcastle announces $10 million partnership with BHP to help decarbonise steelmaking
BHP will extend its partnership with the Centre for Ironmaking Materials Research at the University of Newcastle with a further A$10 million in funding to support ongoing research into decarbonising steelmaking.
News • 03 Feb 2022
University of Newcastle’s Q Building awarded world-leading 6 Star rating – the first in regional NSW
The University of Newcastle’s Q Building has become the first building in regional NSW to achieve a 6 Star Green Star ‘Design and As Built’ certified rating.
News • 01 Feb 2022
2NUR news training program hits the headlines
University of Newcastle community radio station 2NURFM has won a national accolade for its news training program, which has helped launch the media careers of hundreds of students.
News • 27 Jan 2022
Recognising our extraordinary community: 2022 Australia Day Honours
The University of Newcastle is incredibly proud to celebrate the contributions and achievements of its valued community who are recognised in the 2022 Australia Day Honours.
News • 25 Jan 2022
University of Newcastle receives over $5 million in research funding
Researchers at the University of Newcastle have been awarded over $5.1 million from the ARC for a broad range of projects, including a study of selfie-editing apps in youth culture, climate change adaptation in Australian industries, and a reimagining of post-mining landscapes.
News • 25 Jan 2022
NHMRC supports research into psychotic disorders
University Newcastle PhD student Dr Jayson Jeganathan will investigate the negative symptoms of psychosis after he was awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2021 Postgraduate Scholarship.
News • 25 Jan 2022
Offers of study bring positive start to 2022 for students
More than 2600 future students will today receive an offer to study at the University of Newcastle as the institution’s main round offers are released.
News • 21 Jan 2022
University of Newcastle launches Ngarrama – a night of reflection
On the eve of Australia Day, the University of Newcastle, in partnership with Awabakal Ltd and with support from the City of Newcastle, is proud to host Ngarrama — a free public event to engage the community in meaningful reconciliation through truth telling and historical acceptance.
News • 17 Jan 2022
$2.1m to beat rare genetic disease cystic fibrosis
University of Newcastle respiratory disease expert Professor Peter Wark will lead a new $2.1m project to develop targeted treatments for the rare genetic and life-threatening disease cystic fibrosis, which damages the lungs and digestive system.
News • 14 Jan 2022
New academic scholarships support Year 12 high achievers
A new University of Newcastle scholarship program will support the aspirations of high achieving Year 12 students who begin university study this year.
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.