The UWA Oceans Institute “The Oceans Institute Is Set to Play a Key Role in Understanding Our Precious Marine Environment
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Annual Report 2015 The UWA Oceans Institute “The Oceans Institute is set to play a key role in understanding our precious marine environment. Such knowledge will help protect the future for Western Australia and beyond, environmentally, economically and socially.” PROFESSOR LYN BEAZLEY, FORMER CHIEF SCIENTIST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA 02 28 Objectives: Media and Outreach Vision and Priorities 29 Sharing our discoveries with the public 30 Reaching out to the next generation of scientists 05 31 Artistic biodiversity project brought to life Executive Summary 32 2015 Media and Outreach 34 Popular App engages 34 Riding the wave of 06 collaborative research 2015: A Snapshot 35 Management and 08 Governance Highlights 36 Governance Structure 37 Welcoming the Leadership Team 09 Perth Canyon research expedition 40 Oceans Institute Membership uncovers secrets of the deep 42 PhD Students 10 Scott Reef research trip brings a host of new data to light 11 Value of Australia’s Great Southern Reef pinpointed 12 Shark deterrent research provides 44 valuable results 14 Carbon Cluster research comes Research Impact to a close 45 Funding sources 14 Industry, Government and 45 Case study: research impact academia come together to in 2015 inform the next generation 46 Research Grants 2015 15 Supporting the national agenda 16 A royal contribution to engineering research 16 An award-winning year in science research 49 17 Engineering Foundations Publications for the Future: Professor Susan Gourvenec 62 18 2016: Looking Forward New Research Themes 20 Collaboration 21 Furthering international relations 22 Boosting WA’s marine research infrastructure 24 Regional Collaboration 26 A blueprint for the future 27 Solving grand challenges: National Marine Science Plan Cover image © Matthew Galligan is launched oceans.uwa.edu.au 1 Objectives Vision The UWA Oceans Institute is advancing research knowledge to support the delivery of ocean solutions by addressing ocean challenges. Bringing together UWA’s multidisciplinary research strengths – in areas such as oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance – the Oceans Institute continues to explore opportunities for innovative marine research and ocean technology, delivering Ocean Solutions in Western Australia and worldwide. Priorities • Further the frontiers of knowledge in ocean research and technology. • Foster and promote interdisciplinary marine-related research across traditional science, engineering, social and policy boundaries. • Provide excellence and leadership in ocean research and technology, locally and worldwide. • Provide a focal point for quality training of post-graduate students in ocean research. • Address the needs of Australian society, government and industry for safely operating in the marine environment. • Promote innovative collaborative opportunities in marine research and technology in Western Australia. • Articulate a science-based, intelligent and innovative use of marine resources to create opportunities for human and economic development. • Generate the knowledge needed to reconcile the sustainable use of ocean resources with the conservation of its biodiversity. 2 The University of Western Australia © Matthew Galligan oceans.uwa.edu.au 3 “The UWA Oceans Institute remains committed to providing research impact across a range of marine research disciplines. The key is being able to work together across organisational boundaries and realise a common vision. Our IOMRC and WAMSI partners will be important for integrating our expertise to tackle national and global challenges. We need to be working with the best in the world to ensure research excellence.” PROFESSOR SHAUN COLLIN UWA OCEANS INSTITUTE DIRECTOR 2015 Executive Summary Crawley. In Exmouth, the first sod was As the 2016 Interim Director turned on the site of the new Ningaloo of the UWA Oceans Institute, Centre, due for completion in April 2017. I would like to warmly thank These three new facilities will become Professor Shaun Collin for flagships servicing a diverse range of his commitment and passion research activities in WA. as Oceans Institute Director throughout 2015. We hosted many of our international neighbours from China, Mauritius, Heading the UWA Neuroecology For the Oceans Institute (OI), 2015 Malaysia and India, and made reciprocal Group, his team’s research into Shark was a year filled with exploration, visits to further our collaborative Deterrents is paving the way towards a discovery and preparation for the research links. Closer to home, our better understanding and appreciation years ahead. This annual report researchers were heavily involved in of these ocean creatures, that will, in is but a glimpse into the depths of state and national initiatives to boost turn, keep both us and them safe in our member’s research dedicated marine science through the National the water. to ocean solutions. Marine Science Plan, the CSIRO Carbon Cluster, and the formation of As Director of the Oceans Institute, Our researchers unlocked the secrets of the Blueprint for Marine Science 2050 Professor Collin initiated and oversaw the Perth Canyon, a deep ocean gorge guided by the Western Australian Marine numerous beneficial collaborations the size of the Grand Canyon in the USA Science Institution (WAMSI). with overseas universities as well that had previously remained poorly as key industry partners, ensuring known and largely unexplored. With the able assistance of a new marine research at UWA extends as leadership team, our staff and students far as possible. Three years of funding from the WA State came together to redefine our activities Government to carry out research into with respect to our research impact I am pleased that as Deputy Director, shark deterrents delivered important and how we communicate our findings Professor Collin will continue to results in 2015. These concentrated on to the public. This resulted in a fresh serve as a key member of the Oceans the development of a range of novel look to our website. Institute team throughout 2016. shark deterrents that were inspired by basic research on sensory systems in As in previous years, our PhD students My sincere thanks also goes to these ancient predators and the testing continue to break new ground, sharing Dr Scott Draper, who throughout 2015 of commercial deterrents currently on their results with their peers, the took on the role of Deputy Director for the market. general public and enlisting the help the Oceans Institute. As COFS stream of many citizen scientists. leader (Offshore Engineering Science), In depth analysis was also performed Dr Draper brought a welcome link to on Australia’s ‘Great Southern Reef’ I predict 2016 will be another big year the marine engineering research that that is contributing more than for the Oceans Institute as the IOMRC is so needed when solving our current $10 billion to the Australian economy facilities at Crawley, Watermans Bay and marine challenges. each year. the Ningaloo Centre in Exmouth should all be finalised. The excitement of moving The Oceans Institute fostered a number into new state-of-the-art facilities, the of major collaborative initiatives this formation of new research hubs and Professor Peter Davies year. As part of The Indian Ocean new collaborative opportunities to work Interim Director, Oceans Institute Marine Research Centre partnership more closely with industry all signal a Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) with CSIRO, AIMS and the WA successful year ahead. Department of Fisheries or Western Australian Department of Fisheries, UWA finalised the new marine facility at Watermans Bay and oversaw the Professor Shaun P. Collin rise of the five-story IOMRC building at OI Director 2015 oceans.uwa.edu.au 5 2015 A Snapshot 18 new Oceans Institute During the 12-day Perth Canyon UWA Oceans Institute members were academic members. cruise, 13 blogs were posted, 11 dives awarded $9 million in funding to form were live streamed and watched by an ARC Industrial Transformational The Coastal Carbon Cluster wrapped- people in 10 countries globally, 32 Research Hub, linking industry and up, research outputs were published news stories were generated, which researchers for 5 years. in top scientific journals, and received included 6 television news items, broad attention by media across 21 web and print news stories, and Saw the completion of the Indian the nation. 7 radio interviews were given. Ocean Marine Research Centre at Watermans Bay; as well as the turning PhD students networked and were Members were acknowledged for of the first sod for the new Ningaloo addressed by a panel of influential their research excellence: Professor Centre in Exmouth. industry partners at the OI David White was elected as a Fellow PhD Symposium. of the Royal Academy of Engineers; Organised 20 workshops and Professor Mark Cassidy was awarded symposia focussed on forming closer Supported the national science and Scientist of the Year at the WA links between academia and industry innovation agenda through extensive Premier’s Science Awards. and explore funding opportunities for contribution to the Integrated Marine our membership. Observing System, the National Marine Science Plan and the DFAT Innovation Exchange program. 6 The University of Western Australia Strengthened links with Indian Ocean partners and international collaborators, particularly with Zhejiang University, where multiple visits were made to China and a workshop delivered at UWA. Oceans Institute members were part of an outreach documentary