The world's greatest challenges are solved here
Explore how our research is improving lives and ensuring a thriving future, in Australia and around the world.
Our world-class research
Our research drives transformative innovation and impact. Here, you’ll find passionate researchers working at the cutting edge of their fields, committed to changing lives for the better and ensuring a thriving future for all.
News
Advancing Human-Agent Collaboration Through Agentic AI
Dr. Zhenghao Chen’s recent participation in the Microsoft Research AI Fellowship Program has been marked by groundbreaking research into the future of human-agent communication and collaboration. His work aligns closely with Microsoft Research’s vision of Agentic AI, which is a transformative approach that reimagines how intelligent agents interact with...
Read more
From Research to Reality: New Algorithms Revolutionise Geotechnical Design
Dr Davide Guccione and Rocscience integrate cutting-edge fragmentation modelling into RocFall2, transforming industry practices.
Read more
Scientists find a fast, new way to recover high-grade silver from end-of-life solar panels
University of Newcastle researchers have developed a fast, safe and highly effective method to recover high grade silver from end-of-life solar panels, without using acid.
Read more
University of Newcastle’s I2N takes out top honours
The University of Newcastle’s Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) has been named the most recommended startup accelerator in Australia by Startup Muster – the largest survey of the nation’s startup ecosystem.
Read more
HMRI celebrates excellence in research and innovation at 2025 awards
Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) recognised the outstanding achievements of its research community at the 2025 HMRI Awards, held at Newcastle City Hall on Friday evening.
Read more
University researchers receive national and international acclaim
University of Newcastle Professor Zsolt Balogh has been recognised as the top Emergency Medicine researcher in the country by Research Magazine 2026. It marks the third time Professor Balogh has received the accolade.
Read more
Research Impact
We work with industry, community and government partners to translate research into real-world impact that makes a positive difference to our regions and our world.
Featured stories
We have a strong track record for driving discoveries across a host of research disciplines. By leveraging the unique history of our region – and our research and academic excellence – we want our university and our regions to be the ultimate test bed for innovation.
“I thought I was a bad mother”: How telehealth changed a young boy’s life and gave a family hope
“I thought I was a bad mother,” says Marlie Matthews, tearfully. “I tried everything, but Marcus was getting more and more behind. He wasn’t speaking much and when he did, I couldn’t understand him. It was very hard on all of us.”
Read more
Girls in STEM
Female high school students in the Hunter are being inspired to pursue meaningful careers in STEM thanks to a unique program created over a conversation at a campus cafe.
Read more
New video shows sharks making an easy meal of spiky sea urchins
Long-spined sea urchins have emerged as an environmental issue off Australia’s far south coast.
Read more
Awards and honours
Our University is home to some of the world’s most well-regarded researchers. Our experts have earned national and international accolades for work in engineering, health and medical research, education, Indigenous studies and more.
Kelvin Kong
Australia’s first Aboriginal surgeon - the highly acclaimed ear, nose and throat surgeon Associate Professor Kelvin Kong - was awarded the prestigious Menzies Medallion in 2020 for his leadership and advocacy for Indigenous health and research.
Read more
Matt Dun
Dr Matt Dun was named a 2020 Young Tall Poppy for his work with rare brain cancers. He was also named Outstanding Cancer Research Fellow at the 2019 NSW Premier Awards.
Read more
Anna Giacomini
Professor Anna Giacomini and Professor Shanyong Wang won back-to-back John Booker Medals for Engineering Excellence, in 2019 and 2018.
Read more
Nick Talley
Laureate Professor Nick Talley has been named the most cited researcher in his field out of more than 76,300 authors. This is the latest in a string of honours bestowed on Professor Talley, who was named NSW Scientist of the Year in 2018.
Read more
Myles Young
Dr Myles Young was named Outstanding Early Researcher of the Year in the 2019 Bupa Foundation Awards. He has also been named one of the 2021 AMP Tomorrow Makers for his work in men's health.
Read more
Heather Lee
As the top female applicant in the country, Dr Heather Lee won a 2018 Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell Research for her work to improve survival rates of patients with leukaemia.
Read more
Behdad Moghtaderi
Professor Behdad Moghtaderi received the prestigious ExxonMobil Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering.
Read more
Clare Collins
Clare Collins received a Laureate Professor distinction in 2020 - becoming the second woman at the University of Newcastle to receive such an honour. In 2019, she was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences for outstanding contributions to her field.
Read more
Nikola Bowden
Pioneering cancer researcher Associate Professor Nikola Bowden was a finalist in the 2019 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards. She’s also the recipient of an unprecedented 10-year Hunter Medical Research Institute Fellowship dedicated to ovarian cancer research.
Read more
Kevin Galvin
Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin was named a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2020 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of mineral processing. The fellowship is one of the highest honours an Australian scientist can receive.
Read more
What our researchers are talking about
Join our research community
Partner with us
Work with us
Learn with us
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.