Goal 13:
Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
Research Centres
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources
At the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), we drive innovative solutions to global challenges through multidisciplinary research and industry collaboration, enhancing environmental, social, and economic outcomes across critical sectors such as energy, resources, food, and water.
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Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources
At the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), we drive innovative solutions to global challenges through multidisciplinary research and industry collaboration, enhancing environmental, social, and economic outcomes across critical sectors such as energy, resources, food, and water.
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Pacific Initiative
The University of Newcastle is working with Pacific partners to deliver collaborative solutions to environmental, social and economic challenges, and to build equitable prosperity, social cohesion and healthy communities guided by our Pacific Research Roadmap.
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Pacific Initiative
The University of Newcastle is working with Pacific partners to deliver collaborative solutions to environmental, social and economic challenges, and to build equitable prosperity, social cohesion and healthy communities guided by our Pacific Research Roadmap.
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Stories
2024
Bold climate action benefits more than just the environment - it's also great for business
As the world grapples with the intensifying challenges of climate change, businesses are under increasing pressure to take action. To avert catastrophe, this will have to go beyond merely complying with new regulations and minimum standards. Business must lead the charge in good faith.
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Groundwater is heating up, threatening life below and above the surface
Groundwater is the largest source of unfrozen freshwater on the planet. Even though it’s underground, climate change is heating this reservoir up.
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Not just a youth movement: history too often forgets older protesters
My historical research into the infrastructure of protest, using the anti-Vietnam War campaign in New South Wales as a case study, has found that many Australians who did not or could not actively or publicly protest similarly found “quieter” ways to express their opposition to the conflict Blockade Australia, climate change
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2023
2022
2021
News
2025
$1.27m ARC Linkage funding to improve animal health and grow Australia’s biomanufacturing capability
Delivering innovative solutions to improve food security, public health and environmental sustainability, two University of Newcastle research teams have secured more than $1.27million through the latest round of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects funding
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Automating green spaces for thriving cities
Claire and Jared, co-founders of Cloud Grow, are innovators in automated irrigation technology for green infrastructure. Their journey began with Herb Urban, a community gardening startup that evolved into a tech-driven solution for watering green roofs and walls.
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Automating green spaces for thriving cities
Claire and Jared, co-founders of Cloud Grow, are innovators in automated irrigation technology for green infrastructure. Their journey began with Herb Urban, a community gardening startup that evolved into a tech-driven solution for watering green roofs and walls.
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Building Partnerships and Biodiversity in the Cook Islands
Associate Professor Troy Gaston and Dr Alex Callen from the School of Environmental and Life Sciences last month travelled to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands as part of the Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas: Catchment Audit Activities project.
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Building Partnerships and Biodiversity in the Cook Islands
Associate Professor Troy Gaston and Dr Alex Callen from the School of Environmental and Life Sciences last month travelled to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands as part of the Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas: Catchment Audit Activities project.
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Future leaders solving current problems
From protecting threatened species and educating the next generation about marine conservation, to fostering inclusive spaces for neurodivergent students, the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program is empowering our future leaders to take action for a better world.
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Global effort to keep koalas safe
With generous support from the Australian Wildlife Society, international PhD student, Charlotte Rigolot, is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing wildlife conservation today: how to protect our wild koala populations from extinction.
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Global effort to keep koalas safe
With generous support from the Australian Wildlife Society, international PhD student, Charlotte Rigolot, is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing wildlife conservation today: how to protect our wild koala populations from extinction.
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Legacy supports conservation research
The land and waters around Australia support approximately 700,000 native species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The generosity of alumnus, the late Gregory Knibb is advancing research to preserve natural habitats of native frog species.
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Newly discovered Australian frogs highlight dire limits of climate change adaptation
Two newly discovered species of Australian frogs may be unable to adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change, raising urgent conservation concerns from scientists.
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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) Discovery Project 2026 grants.
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Nothing to waste in improving soil health
Soil is a vast and complex ecosystem that supports over a billion life forms, however concerns around the impact of ongoing soil degradation are escalating. Generous funding from an anonymous donor is enabling the University of Newcastle to explore an integrated approach to improve soil health that could revolutionise agricultural practices globally.
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2024
30k in funding awarded to our top 3 innovators
The University of Newcastle celebrated outstanding innovation in climate action at the Net Zero Grand Challenge Awards Night, held at the University Gallery on October 17th, 2024.
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Assoc Prof Jafar Zanganeh Awarded Prestigious International Hydrogen Research Fellowship
The University of Newcastle and the College of Engineering, Science and Environment are proud to announce that Associate Professor Jafar Zanganeh has been awarded the highly competitive Research Fellowship in the International Hydrogen Research Collaboration.
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Delegation to NSW Parliament
On Thursday 26 September 2024, the Centre for Law and Social Justice led a delegation of Hunter high school students to NSW Parliament.
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Dr Hayden Robertson Receives ANBUG Outstanding PhD Award 2024
The Australian Neutron Beam Users Group (ANBUG) has awarded the prestigious Outstanding PhD Award 2024 to Dr Hayden Robertson for his exceptional research using neutron scattering techniques.
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Inaugural Showcase debuts cutting-edge solar and hydrogen technologies
More than 200 industry, government officials, researchers, start-ups and university staff came together yesterday to celebrate the achievements of the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy program in its first year, namely establishing $117M in industry co-funded R&D projects focused on bringing disruptive technologies to market.
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Mahalo* from CIFAL Honolulu
Our University and CIFAL Newcastle recently hosted ambassadors from CIFAL Honolulu at Chaminade University of Honolulu. CIFAL enables universities to partner with the United Nations through training and research, using the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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School Students' Statement on the Right to a Healthy Environment Launch
The Centre for Law and Social Justice in association with Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Human Rights for New South Wales Alliance launched the School Students' Statement on the Right to a Healthy Environment. The Statement was launched by Trisha Doyle MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Heritage, Climate Change, and Energy.
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2023
BHP partnership is helping bridge the gender gap in critical industries
Two researchers from the University's Centre for Ironmaking Materials Research recently completed a development program, initiated by BHP, designed to assist in breaking down barriers that often prevent women in the engineering and mining sector from entering leadership roles.
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Planting the seeds for future discoveries
With a collection of over 14,000 specimens and counting, the Don McNair Herbarium’s ability to support research, teaching and community education continues to grow.
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2022
Energy Doctoral Training Centre launched to support the new energy economy
The University of Newcastle has launched a third Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in Energy.
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From Ecologist to Entrepreneur: how a food collective is causing massive disruption to online grocery shopping, putting flavour back on the palette and regenerating ecosystems with every order
Lauren Branson is co-founder of Your Food Collective, a startup that is disrupting online grocery shopping while dramatically reducing food miles.
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MGA Thermal showcases pathway to reliable renewable energy as it reaches 20GWh of global storage interest
Australian clean energy company MGA Thermal today announced it has reached a milestone with customer interest for 20 GigaWatt hours (GWh) of energy storage, the equivalent of powering 1.3 million homes, from customers for its breakthrough technology.
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Newcastle Startup leverages bespoke sensory technology to disrupt the agricultural industry and enable carbon sequestration – all in the fight against climate change
Hone Carbon's mission is to unlock the potential for carbon storage and agricultural environments and become a global leader in the measurement verification and optimisation of soil carbon projects, for the benefit of the land, its custodians and our shared atmosphere.
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Research innovation and translation specialist to lead Trailblazer
Professor Emmanuel Mastio joins the Australian Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy from the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre where he was a research commercialisation consultant and IP advisor.
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Events
2024
Glimpse inside clever minds at University Science Week event
To celebrate National Science Week, the University of Newcastle is hosting a unique community event on Thursday that will delve into interesting, quirky and impressive research in science, technology and the environment.
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Glimpse inside clever minds at University Science Week event
To celebrate National Science Week, the University of Newcastle is hosting a unique community event on Thursday that will delve into interesting, quirky and impressive research in science, technology and the environment.
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Degrees
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Apply to study a degree in education (primary) and graduate with diverse, employable skills that optimise your future career success.
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Bachelor of Education (Primary) (from 2026)
Apply to study a degree in education (primary) and graduate with diverse, employable skills that optimise your future career success.
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Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry)
The University of Newcastle’s Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) is for registered nurses wishing to gain midwifery qualifications. You will graduate as a registered midwife with specialised skills for safe, evidence-informed, ethical midwifery practice with woman and their babies.
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Master of Nursing
As a high achieving nurse, your commitment to continuous learning and development will see you take your nursing career to new heights with the Master of Nursing.
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Master of Public Health
By studying the Master of Public Health you will learn to monitor the health of a population, identify its health needs, and develop and implement policies that promote health, and evaluate health services.
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Master of Teaching (Primary)
The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a two year program, producing outstanding graduates ready to enter a rewarding career as a primary teacher.
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Master of Traumatology
The Master of Traumatology is the first postgraduate coursework program of its kind in Australia providing you the opportunity to extend your knowledge of trauma care.
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More
$438,000 funding to boost cleantech innovation in the Hunter
Local clean technology innovators will have more opportunity to bring their products to market with the NSW Government awarding $438,375 in funding for the University of Newcastle’s Hunter Cleantech Accelerator.
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$438,000 funding to boost cleantech innovation in the Hunter
Local clean technology innovators will have more opportunity to bring their products to market with the NSW Government awarding $438,375 in funding for the University of Newcastle’s Hunter Cleantech Accelerator.
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2024 seed funded research with University of Waikato
Goal 3 = Projects on palliative care for Chinese elderly, indigenous medicinal plant knowledge Goal 4 = Project on indigenous perspectives on history Goal 5 = Project on contraceptive use for LGBTQ+ Goal 10 = Projects on contraceptive use for LGBTQ+, equitable practices to encourage indigenous GPs, indigenous perspectives on history, palliative care for Chinese elderly, indigenous medicinal plant knowledge Goal 13 = project on coastal science Goal 15 = Projects on AI Farming tool and biodiversity conservation
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2024 seed funded research with University of Waikato
Goal 3 = Projects on palliative care for Chinese elderly, indigenous medicinal plant knowledge Goal 4 = Project on indigenous perspectives on history Goal 5 = Project on contraceptive use for LGBTQ+ Goal 10 = Projects on contraceptive use for LGBTQ+, equitable practices to encourage indigenous GPs, indigenous perspectives on history, palliative care for Chinese elderly, indigenous medicinal plant knowledge Goal 13 = project on coastal science Goal 15 = Projects on AI Farming tool and biodiversity conservation
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A Global Survey to Explore SDG Prioritisation Among Young People
CIFAL Newcastle is developing a survey to explore university students’ prioritisation and perceptions of the SDGs. It will also explore students characteristics to determine how these may impact prioritisation of SDGs, including gender, discipline of study or location.
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A return to Indigenous-led solutions may be our only hope to reverse plastics pollution
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A return to Indigenous-led solutions may be our only hope to reverse plastics pollution
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A Tale of Two Cities: Hunter and Illawarra regions collaborate to unlock innovation to drive change
University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong (UOW) partnered with Business Illawarra and Business Hunter today to bring together more than 80 key government and industry stakeholders to discuss the best approach to drive economic and social change through innovation.
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A Tale of Two Cities: Hunter and Illawarra regions collaborate to unlock innovation to drive change
University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong (UOW) partnered with Business Illawarra and Business Hunter today to bring together more than 80 key government and industry stakeholders to discuss the best approach to drive economic and social change through innovation.
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Antarctic ice cores reveal Australian drought risk worse than thought
Antarctic ice core records have shown that eastern Australia’s drought risk is greater than thought.
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Antarctic ice cores reveal Australian drought risk worse than thought
Antarctic ice core records have shown that eastern Australia’s drought risk is greater than thought.
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Biospecimen Services
The Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS) engages in research focused on the complex political, economic, social, cultural and environmental processes and relations that are transforming cities and regions.
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Carbon Emissions
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Conservation research saving Australia's frogs
University of Newcastle researchers have spent nearly three decades developing innovative solutions and world-first discoveries aimed at saving Australia’s threatened frog species.
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Creating a cleaner, greener steel sector
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Creating the building blocks for new energy storage
MGA Thermal is revolutionising the renewable energy storage sector with technology developed at the University of Newcastle.
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Dog vaccine and steel recycling projects awarded nearly $800,000 in Australian Research Council funding
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced its latest round of funding for Linkage Project grants, with two University of Newcastle projects attracting funding totalling nearly $800,000.
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Dog vaccine and steel recycling projects awarded nearly $800,000 in Australian Research Council funding
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced its latest round of funding for Linkage Project grants, with two University of Newcastle projects attracting funding totalling nearly $800,000.
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Enhancing professional practice with CIFAL Certification
As part of her Masters of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development, Bron Sparkes has completed a number of UNITAR-CIFAL certified courses.
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Epic road test for printed solar
A pioneering environmental advocate will become the first consumer to road test futuristic printed solar cells, on an epic electric vehicle road trip around Australia.
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Epic road test for printed solar
A pioneering environmental advocate will become the first consumer to road test futuristic printed solar cells, on an epic electric vehicle road trip around Australia.
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Female leadership key to community ‘saving itself’ in unprecedented trauma
As the two-year anniversary of the devastating Northern Rivers’ flooding looms, new research from the University of Newcastle has shown the female-led response to the trauma prevailed where authorities failed.
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Female leadership key to community ‘saving itself’ in unprecedented trauma
As the two-year anniversary of the devastating Northern Rivers’ flooding looms, new research from the University of Newcastle has shown the female-led response to the trauma prevailed where authorities failed.
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Green growth in Asia not ‘greenwashing’ but strategic energy shift
A new book endorsed by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and prominent scholar Ross Garnaut explores why East Asia has become a leader in green energy industries but has been slow to reduce carbon emissions.
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Green growth in Asia not ‘greenwashing’ but strategic energy shift
A new book endorsed by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and prominent scholar Ross Garnaut explores why East Asia has become a leader in green energy industries but has been slow to reduce carbon emissions.
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Green hydrogen feasibility study positions Port of Newcastle to drive a more diverse Hunter economy
Port of Newcastle and Macquarie’s Green Investment Group have launched a $A3 million feasibility study into the development of a green hydrogen hub at the Port that includes the backing of a $A1.5 million funding grant from ARENA, secured under its Advancing Renewables Program.
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Green hydrogen feasibility study positions Port of Newcastle to drive a more diverse Hunter economy
Port of Newcastle and Macquarie’s Green Investment Group have launched a $A3 million feasibility study into the development of a green hydrogen hub at the Port that includes the backing of a $A1.5 million funding grant from ARENA, secured under its Advancing Renewables Program.
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Initiatives
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Koala conservation heats up: drones used to thermally detect animals
Conservation scientists from the University of Newcastle are using heat-detecting drones to capture data on koala populations in Port Stephens LGA.
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Koala conservation heats up: drones used to thermally detect animals
Conservation scientists from the University of Newcastle are using heat-detecting drones to capture data on koala populations in Port Stephens LGA.
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MGA Thermal wins AFR Higher Education Award for research commercialisation
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MGA Thermal wins AFR Higher Education Award for research commercialisation
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National research centre opens to secure minerals for the future
The University of Newcastle has congratulated research and industry partners at today’s official opening of a $35 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence focussed on transforming the minerals industry and securing a low-carbon future.
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National research centre opens to secure minerals for the future
The University of Newcastle has congratulated research and industry partners at today’s official opening of a $35 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence focussed on transforming the minerals industry and securing a low-carbon future.
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New research reveals encouraging step for Hunter renewal
New research has revealed that the majority of Hunter residents support the need for the region to transition to new sources of employment, a finding buffeted by the strong showings for the region in key social areas such as resilience and community.
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New research reveals encouraging step for Hunter renewal
New research has revealed that the majority of Hunter residents support the need for the region to transition to new sources of employment, a finding buffeted by the strong showings for the region in key social areas such as resilience and community.
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New research shows global abundance of small microplastics is grossly underestimated
For the first time, researchers have examined small microplastics around the marine surface waters of the Whitsunday Islands region of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia, to ask how small is our big microplastic problem?
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New research shows global abundance of small microplastics is grossly underestimated
For the first time, researchers have examined small microplastics around the marine surface waters of the Whitsunday Islands region of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia, to ask how small is our big microplastic problem?
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Pacific initiatives
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Plastic Free
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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.
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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.
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Port Stephens Coaches, University of Newcastle and Foton Mobility Distribution join forces in Electric Bus Trial
Leading Hunter Region transport operator Port Stephens Coaches is coming together with Zero Emissions transport supplier Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) and University of Newcastle, to run a short trial of a Battery Electric City Bus (BEV).
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Port Stephens Coaches, University of Newcastle and Foton Mobility Distribution join forces in Electric Bus Trial
Leading Hunter Region transport operator Port Stephens Coaches is coming together with Zero Emissions transport supplier Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) and University of Newcastle, to run a short trial of a Battery Electric City Bus (BEV).
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Protecting coral reefs and extreme weather on earth and in space: $4.8m in ARC funding
Our environment and how we protect it will be a key focus for innovative researchers from the University of Newcastle, who were successful in the latest round of funding in from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects Scheme.
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Protecting coral reefs and extreme weather on earth and in space: $4.8m in ARC funding
Our environment and how we protect it will be a key focus for innovative researchers from the University of Newcastle, who were successful in the latest round of funding in from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects Scheme.
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Pursuing a passion for engineering
Master of Professional Engineering graduate, Nicholas Woodley, reflects on his postgraduate studies and how they have benefited him in the workforce.
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Researchers awarded nearly half a million dollars to assist in resilience and recovery after Black Summer bushfires
A team of researchers from the University of Newcastle have been awarded $468,000 as part of the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to assist communities in recovery and resilience in the wake of the 2019-20 fires.
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Researchers awarded nearly half a million dollars to assist in resilience and recovery after Black Summer bushfires
A team of researchers from the University of Newcastle have been awarded $468,000 as part of the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to assist communities in recovery and resilience in the wake of the 2019-20 fires.
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Revolutionary Australian battery recycling technology startup advances its breakthrough battery metals recovery process
Australian Battery Recycling Technology Company Battery Pollution today revealed a co-operation agreement with Australia’s University of Newcastle focussed on the development of proprietary processes for the recovery of cobalt, lithium, graphite and nickel from spent Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage System batteries
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Revolutionary Australian battery recycling technology startup advances its breakthrough battery metals recovery process
Australian Battery Recycling Technology Company Battery Pollution today revealed a co-operation agreement with Australia’s University of Newcastle focussed on the development of proprietary processes for the recovery of cobalt, lithium, graphite and nickel from spent Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage System batteries
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Scientists and students onboard to map East coast tsunami risk
A team of marine scientists and university students are onboard to investigate the causes and consequences of the submarine landslides and deep-marine canyons along Australia's eastern edge during a five-week voyage on CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator.
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Scientists and students onboard to map East coast tsunami risk
A team of marine scientists and university students are onboard to investigate the causes and consequences of the submarine landslides and deep-marine canyons along Australia's eastern edge during a five-week voyage on CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator.
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Seven teams secure $3.7m in ARC Discovery Project grants
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded $3.7m in Discovery Project grants to seven University of Newcastle research teams.
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Seven teams secure $3.7m in ARC Discovery Project grants
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded $3.7m in Discovery Project grants to seven University of Newcastle research teams.
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View more Sustainable Development Goal stories
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.















