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 • 10 Jun 2026
MHF commits landmark $18.9m boost to accelerate brain cancer research
A landmark $18.9 million philanthropic gift will supercharge Australia’s fight to beat brain cancer and accelerate new treatments, with the University of Newcastle and the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) today announcing a major expansion of their partnership.
News • 09 Jun 2026
University of Newcastle staff and alumni recognised in 2026 King’s Birthday Honours
10 University of Newcastle staff and alumni have been recognised for their outstanding contributions in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.
News • 03 Jun 2026
NSW research trials report outcomes for women's health: pharmacist-led UTI and oral contraceptive services
Two landmark University of Newcastle-led research trials have provided evidence on the safety and effectiveness of pharmacist-led management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and oral contraceptive resupply in women – helping to facilitate timely access to care and referral to GPs when clinically needed.
News • 02 Jun 2026
Prominent groundwater scientist appointed to lead research and innovation at University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle has today announced the appointment of Professor Craig Simmons to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation (DVCRI), following a highly competitive global recruitment process.
News • 02 Jun 2026
Six Hunter researchers cash in on quest to crack cancer, save kids and change lives
Six medical researchers taking on some of the Hunter New England region's biggest health challenges have been selected for the 2026 Newcastle Permanent Innovators Program.
News • 01 Jun 2026
Almost $3M to transform ageing and dementia care for First Nations Elders
Indigenous-led research initiative Deadly Dreaming has been awarded a major national grant, marking a powerful step forward in reshaping how ageing and dementia care is understood and delivered for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
News • 22 May 2026
University of Newcastle returns to positive core operating result in 2025
The University of Newcastle’s Vice-Chancellor has today shared the university’s 2025 financial results with staff.
News • 21 May 2026
Cancer Institute Fellowship supports quest for greater understanding of DIPG triggers
A Newcastle researcher is on a mission to uncover the underlying biology of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a lethal brainstem tumour responsible for half of all childhood brain cancer deaths.
News • 04 May 2026
Team sport the MVP for kicking kids’ mental health goals
Findings examining sport participation and mental health in children and adolescents reveal that organised sport, particularly team sport, can be a powerful setting for supporting mental health and social development.
News • 23 Apr 2026
Blueprint for FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses unveiled
Universities across Australia now have a blueprint to deliver free university pathway programs, following the launch today of national policy …
News • 23 Apr 2026
University of Newcastle officially opens new Gosford building
Federal Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP and NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education the Hon …
News • 23 Apr 2026
Australia’s longest-running women’s health study celebrates 30-year milestone
When a visionary study of Australian women’s health was launched in the 1990s, high-quality data was scarce and crippling conditions such as endometriosis under-recognised.
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.