Projects from two Monash researchers have been successfully funded through the latest round of the National Industry PhD program, sharing in more than $560,000.
Introduced in 2023, the National Industry PhD program is an Australian Government initiative designed to support doctoral research with an embedded industry application, coming as a part of the Federal Government's pledge to add 1,800 industry-PhDs over ten years.
The program supports PhD candidates in undertaking industry-focused research projects and developing the knowledge and skills to more easily translate research into commercialised outcomes.
Professor Kerry O'Brien, Director of the Behavioural Sciences Research Lab, will lead the first project in partnership with the Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative. Awarded $390,668, the project's focus will take a close look at First Nation people's experiences in major sports to identify better ways of supporting the participation of Indigenous people in Australian sport, promoting inclusion and positive outcomes for First Nations athletes.
Partnering with Starbound Space Solutions, the second project –– led by Doctor Chetan Arora, Senior Lecturer in Software Engineering –– will develop an AI program to assist space companies in writing and analysing technical requirements more quickly and accurately. The project aims to streamline processes and reduce costs in space missions, while strengthening Australia's competitiveness in the growing global space sector.
"Australia's space sector is growing rapidly, but preparing a space mission for launch involves a lot of painstaking manual work to meet complex technical and regulatory standards," said Doctor Arora. "Together with Starbound Space Solutions, we will develop an AI 'copilot' to help engineers write and review mission specifications faster and more accurately.
"By catching issues early and ensuring compliance from the start, we can help Australian space companies save time, reduce costs, and launch with greater confidence — strengthening Australia's place in the global space industry."
Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training), said the outcomes are a positive step forward in supporting the next generation of research and innovation at Monash.
"I am thrilled to see Monash leading in such important areas as supporting Indigenous communities and advancing AI innovation," said Professor Georgiou-Karistianis.
"Being able to develop and support future leaders in these areas through these PhD projects is a particularly positive outcome for not only Monash, but Australia's broader research community as well."
