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 • 18 Apr 2019
Aboriginal mothers in prison face poorer health outcomes
The health needs of Aboriginal mothers in Australian prisons are not being met, according to a new study released today.
News • 18 Apr 2019
Researchers to remediate PFAS contamination with hemp seed proteins
University of Newcastle researchers are on track to create a solution to per-and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, in a project that could benefit the Williamtown community and countless other sites across the world.
News • 17 Apr 2019
Early flu season prompts launch of innovative tracking system
Flu activity is already in full swing with influenza rates estimated to be two to three times higher than normal in Australia, prompting the annual online health surveillance system, FluTracking, to launch early this year.
News • 15 Apr 2019
Research team to develop an International Literature Review on Equity in Higher Education
A research team from University of Newcastle and University of Melbourne have been awarded a grant from the Australian Department of Education and Training, under the HEPPP National Priority Pool scheme.
News • 12 Apr 2019
Callaghan graduates cross the stage toward a new chapter
More than 4000 students will celebrate the culmination of their studies over the next week, with the annual graduation ceremonies set to commence at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus.
News • 04 Apr 2019
Partnership sets year 8 girls on STEM path
Girls from two Hunter-based High Schools seeking a higher education and career in STEM-related disciplines are closer to achieving their goals thanks to a partnership announced between HunterWiSE, Newcastle High School, Callaghan College and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group.
News • 22 Mar 2019
Quadram Institute and University to tackle global food and health challenges
The United Kingdom’s Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) and the University of Newcastle have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation and a stronger relationship between the two organisations.
News • 20 Mar 2019
First-of-its-kind resource aids legal practitioners in identifying elder abuse
As national conversations around the treatment of the elderly continue, academics from the University of Newcastle are supporting legal practitioners to act as another line of defence to better identify and combat elder abuse.
News • 15 Mar 2019
Research underway to improve prostate cancer diagnosis
Funding from the Cancer Council NSW will help advance research in the areas of prostate and lung cancer.
News • 14 Mar 2019
Significant funding boost to aid global health issues
Hunter researchers have been successful in securing more than $2.8million to work toward solutions for some of the nation’s most pressing health challenges.
News • 13 Mar 2019
University welcomes US Fulbright scholar to investigate factors affecting women’s health
Set to investigate factors that affect women’s health, Dr Michael Hendryx was officially welcomed to the University of Newcastle today as the 2019 US Fulbright Distinguished Chair Scholar.
News • 12 Mar 2019
Your skin could hold the answer to your mental health
Tiny changes on the surface of your skin may be the answer to early identification of stress, anxiety and depression before symptoms even present themselves, according to new research.
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.