World-leading research will take place in New England thanks to Federal Coalition Government funding.

The Government is providing $1.5 million to fund four research projects at the University of New England, through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA).

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, congratulated the researchers who will conduct world-leading research.

“The research projects will address issues that are relevant to our community, from investigating farm dam management and its relationship with conservation and agriculture, to improving chicken immunity against the laryngotracheitis virus, which will benefit the New England’s extensive poultry industry,” Mr Joyce said.

“These are world-leading research projects, led by academics right here on our doorstop, addressing important issues that will make a real difference to every Australian.”

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said research done at our universities led to the development of new products and innovations that drive job growth, business opportunities and productivity gains.

“The productive capacity of our nation relies on educated workers, able to access innovation and research, to drive growth and opportunity,” Mr Tehan said.

“This research will generate new knowledge, develop new technologies, and lead to new products and jobs. The research targeting natural disasters will make Australians safer and improve how we prepare for future challenges.”

The Coalition Government is providing $81.8 million to fund 200 research projects through the DECRA program.

The successful researchers are:

• Dr Deborah Bower – $425,469 to investigate the capacity of farm dam management strategies to simultaneously support nature conservation and agricultural production.
• Dr Priscilla Gerber - $425,941 to investigate the mechanisms of immune protection against infectious laryngotracheitis virus, a highly contagious respiratory disease in poultry.
• Dr Valentina Gosetti - $329,246 to rediscover, document and analyse prominent regional voices swept aside by the powerful forces constructing national identity.
• Dr Benjamin Henderson - $373,857 to design an economically sound policy strategy for making the Australian agriculture sector carbon neutral by 2040.

(ENDS)