The world's greatest challenges, 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.
Our Impact
Moving in the right direction
Find out more
Extending the odds for racehorses
Find out more
How 57,000 women are shaping health policy in Australia
Find out more
Driving innovation in the minerals sector
Find out more
Learn more about our research impact
Funding success
We're proud to be a research-intensive university. Our world-class researchers continue to attract funding from national and international funding bodies as well as industry and community partnerships. Learn more about latest funding wins.
Environmentally sustainable ARC projects awarded almost $2 million in funding
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced its latest round of funding for Linkage Project grants, with three University of Newcastle projects attracting funding totalling $1,868,005.
Read more
Great ideas attract $7 million in NHMRC grants
Seven University of Newcastle researchers have been awarded more than $7 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants, designed to support innovative and creative research projects which address a specific question.
Read more
ARC grants to focus on peace in the Middle East and sex and the Australian military
Two Centre for the Study of Violence researchers have been successful in the highly competitive ARC discovery scheme.
Read more
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.
New green hydrogen made from solar power and air 01:58
In a remarkable first, a system that combines solar energy with water harvested from air has been used to manufacture low cost green hydrogen – a zero-emissions fuel.
Saving the Frogs 03:27
From the Blue Mountains to Bellingen, discover how the University of Newcastle is protecting our frogs.
Using hemp to remove toxic chemicals from soil 01:34
Dr Brett Turner knows that PFAS chemical contamination is a dangerous problem, and a global one. That’s why Brett and his team are developing a groundbreaking new way to remove these contaminants from soil using all-natural hemp proteins.
Helping ease cancer’s worst symptoms 01:24
Chair of Clinical Pharmacology, Professor Jenny Martin is hopeful about the potential for medical cannabis to ease suffering - particularly for cancer patients living with symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, nausea, and mood and weight disorders.
Awards and honours
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
Lyndall Ryan
'The Killing Times' – a collaboration between Professor Lyndall Ryan's Massacres Map team and The Guardian newspaper – won a 2019 Walkley Award for coverage of Indigenous Affairs. The collaboration also won a 2019 NSW Premier's History Prize for Digital Innovation.
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
Frances Kay-Lambkin
Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin was named the 2019 Researcher of the Year at the annual Hunter Medical Research Institute awards.
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
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
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
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.