Four Curtin University researchers have secured almost $5 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships funding to tackle major challenges facing Australia: artificial intelligence, online influence, Indigenous language revitalisation and low-emissions ironmaking.
The ARC Future Fellowships scheme supports outstanding mid-career researchers to undertake ambitious research and build Australia’s research capability and leadership.
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said the funding for the four-year projects recognised the quality and impact of Curtin’s research.
“These fellowships support outstanding researchers whose work is tackling complex social, cultural and technological challenges that matter to communities, industry and policymakers,” Professor Fitzgerald said.
Professor Sender Dovchin will develop a new approach to reclaim Indigenous languages in Aboriginal early childhood education to help communities preserve and revitalise languages while strengthening cultural knowledge for future generations.
The Future of Work Institute’s (FOWI) Professor Patrick Dunlop secured funding to examine how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment, job assessment and staffing practices.
Professor Dunlop will investigate how AI is changing applicant behaviour and workplace expectations to help organisations develop fairer and more effective approaches to identifying talent.
Professor Crystal Abidin from the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry will investigate how social media influencers understand and practise ethical behaviour online to help build healthier digital cultures and improve digital literacy for young Australians considering careers in the creator economy.
Dr Yun Yu from the Western Australian School of Mines will develop an innovative process to produce high-quality synthetic gas and pre-reduced iron ore.
This technology will bring significant benefits to Australia’s energy and iron industries and foster the growth of the biofuel sector in Australia’s rural and regional areas.
“These projects highlight the breadth of expertise at Curtin, spanning the humanities, education, business and engineering,” Professor Fitzgerald said. “Together they demonstrate how research across disciplines can generate new knowledge, solve real-world challenges and create positive outcomes.”
