Seven projects led by Western Sydney University researchers have been collectively awarded more than $3.9 million through the Australian Research Council's (ARC) 2026 Discovery Projects scheme.
The Discovery Program aims to nurture research excellence, contribute to the growth of Australia's research and innovation capacity, encourage research and training in high-quality research environments and enhance the international competitiveness of Australian research.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ian Anderson, congratulated all involved in the funding success.
"The excellence and innovation of the projects funded, across a broad range of disciplines, reflects our mission to transform communities with impactful research and arrive at transformative and sustainable solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges," said Professor Anderson.
ARC Discovery Projects grants 2026
- Associate Professor Jacqueline Ullman from the School of Education secured $380,545 to lead the project, Supporting and Retaining Gender and Sexuality Diverse Early Career Teachers. This project aims to understand and influence factors affecting the retention of gender and sexuality diverse (GSD) beginning teachers. Associate Professor Ullman's team includes Western's Professor Tania Ferfolja.
- Professor Alison Downham Moore from School of Humanities and Communication Arts and Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) secured $232,872 to lead the project, A Global History of Hysterectomy, 1860-2020. This project will deliver the first global history of hysterectomy, tracing its roots in 19th-century Europe to its intercultural spread throughout Australasia and South Asia.
- Dr Kristine Crous from the School of Science and Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) secured $685,992 for the project, Revealing heat dose thresholds in Australian forests from leaf to landscape. This project aims to predict the limits of heat tolerance based on both temperature intensity and duration (i.e. heat dose) in well-watered and drought conditions from leaf-level to the landscape. Dr Crous' team includes Western's Professor Belinda Medlyn and Professor Brendan Choat from Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.
- Professor Brian Falzon from the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment secured $832,000 for the project, Digital twin for the manufacture of composite structures by resin infusion. This project will create an advanced digital twin framework for composite manufacturing using resin infusion, combining high-fidelity models with deep learning for real-time defect prediction and adaptive control. Professor Falzon's team includes Western's Associate Professor Olivia Obst.
- Prof Andre Renzaho from the School of Medicine secured $580,889 for the project, Enhancing settlement outcomes for migrants in regional Australia. This project will examine challenges that migrants and refugees experience resettling in regional Australia
