2014 Australian Laureate Fellows announced

The 2014 Australian Research Council (ARC) Australian Laureate Fellowships have been announced by Minister for Education Christopher Pyne.

The scheme supports groundbreaking, internationally competitive research that builds Australia’s research capacity. Fellows will receive project funding in addition to a salary supplement and salary-related (on-cost) support.

“This funding scheme supports researchers of international repute and these fellowships will play an important role in meeting the Australian Government’s commitment to ensure Australia successfully competes on the international research stage,” Pyne said.

Fellowships were awarded to 16 researchers from 12 institutions across Australia. Some of this year’s fellows include:

• Professor Professor Ian Paulsen from Macquarie University, who will boost his research efforts into bacteria and its effect on the marine food web.
• Professor Justin Marshall from The University of Queensland, who will explore visual systems in marine animals to inform future camera design and other machine-vision solutions.
• Professor Ian Small from The University of Western Australia, who will develop custom-designed plant proteins to aid future growth in the agricultural and health sectors.
• Professor Joss Bland-Hawthorn from The University of Sydney, who will build an astronomical instrument through which to observe a hundred galaxies simultaneously for the first time.

Three of the fellows will undertake an ambassadorial role to promote women in research in addition to their research project. Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowships have been awarded to Professor Veena Sahajwalla from The University of New South Wales and Professor Kate Smith-Miles from Monash University, while the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship has been awarded to Professor Joy Damousi from The University of Melbourne.

“The outcomes of these fellowships will make a valuable contribution to Australia’s knowledge base and prosperity,” Pyne said. “Fellows will also mentor our young researchers, which is vital if we are to continue to produce world-class research.”