UWA Grand Challenges
seeking a sustainable, just and equitable planet.
What are Grand Challenges?
At The University of Western Australia, we’re uniting our world-class teaching, research and student experiences, and partnering with communities to tackle some of the world’s most complex problems.
Grand Challenges are deep and difficult issues, with no clear solutions, that require new ways of working across disciplines and sectors to effectively address. Together, we can find innovative solutions to these challenges and create a better world for all.
Our Grand Challenges program will see our most creative minds working together to drive ongoing social transformation, working alongside our communities to better the world we live in.
UWA will focus its efforts on solutions to Climate Change and A More Just and Equitable World.
By bringing our networks together around these Challenges, we hope to make meaningful contributions, thereby embodying our mission to advance the welfare of our society.
Sustainable Action August
Join the UWA Grand Challenges throughout August for an immersive series of sustainability events and initiatives. With a focus on how the individual actions of students and staff are contributing to a more just and sustainable world.
![2 people working in a lab](/grand-challenges/-/media/uwa/rich-text/mod_2.jpg?w=487&hash=5B41244F05CDA2C632791C2A4D4A5783)
Why UWA?
For more than a century, our teaching and research priorities have aligned with the needs of local, regional and global communities to support economic and social development.
The partnerships we forge in tackling these Grand Challenges will help turn our research into real-world benefits faster and more effectively, and through cross-disciplinary collaboration, we will help industry to overcome challenges and harness opportunities.
We’re also committed to helping our students become the global citizens our world needs. We aim to instil in them the key values that will empower them to be the future leaders of our society.
Today, UWA is committed to seeking out sustainability in all its actions and to providing a just and equitable environment for all.
Home to 22 schools and 40 research and training centres, institutes, and major national research facilities.
Our graduates are estimated to contribute $60 billion to WA's economy by 2050 (ACIL Allen Consulting 2010).
UWA commands roughly 80% of all research funding to Western Australian universities annually
We’re part of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s best research-intensive universities.
Our Champions
Our Champions are making an impact in the areas of Climate Change and A More Just and Equitable World. Get involved in the Grand Challenges and become a champion for these causes.
Dr Marit Kragt
Mitigating Climate Change in Agriculture
Dr Marit Kragt
Climate Change
Climate Change Mitigation in Agriculture
Marit Kragt is an Agricultural Economist with degrees in Environmental Science (WUR) and Economics (ANU). Her interdisciplinary research focusses on climate change mitigation in agriculture, in particular the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by farmers. She is passionate about making a difference to agriculture in Australia and globally.
Marit is Director of the Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development at the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment. Since 2024, she is Program Lead for the Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre (ZNE Ag CRC).
Marit started at the UWA School of Agricultural and Resource Economics (now UWA School of Agriculture and Environment) in July 2010. Her expertise lies in interdisciplinary research, agricultural economics, climate change abatement, and non-market environmental valuation.
"All the science in the world won't change a thing if results are not adopted."
Dr Demelza Ireland
Gender and women's health academic and innovator
Dr Demelza Ireland
A More Just and Equitable World
Gender and women's health academic and innovator
Dr Demelza Ireland is a senior lecturer and teaching-intensive academic in the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Medical School’s Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Her research background is in cancer immunotherapy and the prevention of preterm birth. She developed and now leads the minor in Women’s Health at UWA while teaching immunology and infection to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Demelza was awarded the 2019 Australian Award for University Teaching Excellence – Early Career for her innovative, holistic and interdisciplinary curriculum design in women’s health. As the Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS) Education Unit, she champions innovation and excellence in biomedical sciences education. She is an active member of the UWA Student Achievement Working Party.
“Globally, there is gender gap in health outcomes, largely driven by the social determinants of health, such as our income, education and status. We need to change all of those things to inform better health outcomes for women and girls worldwide. Closer to home, we are at a pivotal time in Australia as we talk about respect for women and consent. I tell my students all the time that they have power and they can affect change. We’ve got this amazing group of young people here at UWA who are well skilled and are really passionate about improving the world around them.”
Dr Nicki Mitchell
Leading researcher on threatened species and biodiversity
Dr Nicki Mitchell
Climate Change
Leading researcher on threatened species and biodiversity
Nicki Mitchell is a zoologist from UWA’s School of Biological Science and the Deputy Director of UWA's Oceans Insitute. She has spent much of her research career anticipating how climate change will affect the survival of threatened species. Currently, Nicki and her research group study how warming of nesting beaches is affecting the sex ratios of sea turtles and their capacity to withstand extreme events such as heatwaves. Another major focus is the drying of south western Australia and the vulnerability of threatened frogs and freshwater turtles to declining rainfall. Nicki is globally recognised for her work on assisted colonisation as a climate change adaptation strategy (featured recently in the New York Times) and has a national citation for outstanding contributions to student learning, where she initiated research-led teaching in first-year biology classes. Externally to UWA, Nicki is a lead councillor for The Biodiversity Council, and acted as a scientific advisor to the Commonwealth Government on biodiversity and threatening processes a member of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee from 2015-2023.
“Studying the physiological ecology of animals – how they respond to temperature changes and water availability – has never been more important. When I started my research in the 1990s, climate change was emerging as a possible threat to species’ persistence, but I never imagined we’d see its impacts so soon. Today it is clear climate change is a threat we need to be managing now. I hope to show how we can preserve many iconic species in our landscapes. It will require researchers to work closely with managers and policy makers, and something of a paradigm shift in how we regard the natural world.”Dr Caitlin Wyrwoll
Gender and women's health academic and innovator
Dr Caitlin Wyrwoll
A More Just and Equitable World
Gender and women's health academic and innovator
Dr Caitlin Wyrwoll is a Senior Lecturer in UWA’s School of Human Sciences, teaching reproductive biology and early life origins of adult disease. Before commencing at UWA, she was a postdoctoral researcher at The University of Edinburgh. Her research expertise lies in the early life environmental impacts (including climate change) on health, with a focus on maternal health, pregnancy progression and consequences for child and adult physical and mental health. She has served on Community & Engagement and Teaching & Learning committees and was named the 2020 Rising Star for the Faculty of Science.
“I am passionate about instilling in our students holistic awareness of what it means to be human by integrating biology with social and ethical considerations. Reproductive biology is a powerful example of the nexus between biology and society, including issues such as inequity in reproductive health, ethics associated with assisted reproductive and gene technologies, unmet demand for contraception, and conservatism to reproductive and LBGTIQA+ rights. As future leaders, it is imperative our students are embedded with factual knowledge of how our biology and behaviours as humans inform these issues and are empowered to undertake just and equitable considerations and action.”
Dr Ashley William Smith
Using music as a vehicle for social justice
Dr Ashley William Smith
A More Just and Equitable World
Using music as a vehicle for social justice
Clarinettist Ashley William Smith is the Chair of Woodwind and Contemporary Performance at The University of Western Australia’s Conservatorium of Music and is on the Perth Symphony Orchestra board of directors.
Ashley has performed throughout Australia, the US, Europe and Asia with the Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Centre, Chamber Music Northwest, Bang on a Can, the Kennedy Centre and the Beijing Modern Music Festival. As a soloist and director, he has performed extensively alongside Australian and international orchestras.
A graduate of Yale University, UWA, and a Fellow of the Australian National Academy of Music, Ashley was awarded the highest honours as the most outstanding performance graduate of each institution. In 2020 he was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts from UWA. Ashley is a laureate of prizes including the Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship, an ABC Symphony International Young Performer Award, and a Churchill Fellowship.
He has designed a concert program for 2021 that focuses on telling the 'musical stories of the unheard, unseen, and undiscovered', showcasing music as a vehicle for social justice.
“I believe that the role of the artist is a powerful one. I want to empower my students to use their creative practice to imagine a better future. By shaping and renewing culture, the role of the artist is to inspire new understandings and new ideologies. The arts can cut through the dissonance and distraction of the modern world and speak the truth with a humbling clarity.”
A/Prof Celeste Rodriguez Louro
Expert in language, diversity and inclusion
A/Prof Celeste Rodriguez Louro
Climate Change and A More Just and Equitable World
Expert in language, diversity and inclusion
Celeste Rodriguez Louro is Director of the Language Lab and an Australian Research Council fellow in Linguistics at The University of Western Australia. She is also Vice-President of the Australian Linguistic Society, Editorial Board Member for the Australian Journal of Linguistics, and area consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary. She is a member of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Working Party at UWA and presenter of ‘Language Lab’, a language and diversity segment on The Agenda, RTRFM radio. Celeste has recently worked with the Heart Foundation to produce two original medical videos fully scripted in Aboriginal English.
Trained in Argentina, the USA and Australia, Celeste’s research tracks language change across time. Her work deals with sociolinguistic issues including standard language ideologies, language contact and multilingualism. Celeste is also interested in decolonization, and in ways to make academic work sustainable, inclusive, equitable and collaborative. Her publications have appeared in high-ranking international journals. Her work has featured in more than 80 peer-reviewed conferences, including recent invited international plenaries and panels. She has won multiple research and teaching awards and has a strong media presence, a testament to her commitment to making linguistics available to a wide audience.
Celeste is currently writing, in collaboration with Nyungar scholar Glenys Collard, a monograph titled ‘Variation and change in Aboriginal English’ – contracted to Cambridge University Press for publication in 2024. This work is funded through a highly competitive Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship.
Celeste has also recently been commissioned to edit the Routledge Handbook of Australian Linguistics, currently in preparation.
With her PhD students, Celeste is developing a bespoke online course on language, diversity and inclusion for primary and secondary school educators in Australia. Funded through a UWA Impact Grant, this offering will go live in mid-2022.
Georg Fritz
Pioneering a Greener and Cleaner Future with Synthetic Microbiology
Georg Fritz
Climate Change
Pioneering a Greener and Cleaner Future with Synthetic Microbiology
Georg Fritz is an Associate Professor at the UWA School of Molecular Sciences, where his research team develops genetically engineered microbes to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. Their applications range from combatting antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, to biological plastic degradation and sustainable bioplastic production using ultra-fast growing marine microbes.
Awarded a prestigious ARC Future Fellowship in 2023, Georg is recognized for his pioneering work in genetically engineering microbes for a sustainable future. His academic journey, marked by interdisciplinary exploration, led to significant contributions in systems and synthetic microbiology, reflected in 50 peer-reviewed publications, over $5M in competitive grant funding, and strong partnerships with international research institutions and industry leaders. Georg's research is not just about making scientific advances; it's about creating a sustainable and greener future for all.
"In my lab we are fascinated with the question of how we can turn the fastest-growing bacterium known to science, called Vibrio natriegens, into a superstar for Environmental Biotechnology. Imagine: this bacterium duplicates itself in just ten minutes, and therefore it can produce enzymes extremely quickly! One of our goals is genetically engineer this microbe to rapidly produce enzymes that can break down PET plastics - the material of everyday plastic bottles cluttering our planet.
But that's not all. Our little microbial friends have massive potential, and together with our colleagues in chemistry we're exploring new frontiers to combine electrochemistry and microbiology to turn industrial CO2 emissions into valuable bioproducts, such as compostable plastics. Once successful, our superbug could help to tackle plastic pollution head-on, revolutionizing recycling technologies to become cleaner, greener, and more efficient."
For more information on Georg Fritz visit the Fritz Lab or LinkedIn.
What we’ve explored
Using our world-class teaching and research capabilities to address these Grand Challenges, both students and staff have had opportunities to play a role in the leadership and research that is crucial to the future of our planet and its people.
Explore UWA Profiles and Research Repository and Research Impact.
We identify ambitious projects across science and the humanities that have a large impact on our local, regional, global communities and create outcomes that will benefit the whole world.
Underpinning our Grand Challenges are the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Climate Change
![3 Good health and well-being](/grand-challenges/-/media/uwa/rich-text/icons/climate-change/e-inverted-icons_web-03.png?h=121&w=120&hash=4823C4CD72C24854ADDD46797031B9C1)
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![Aspire icon](/grand-challenges/-/media/uwa/rich-text/icons/climate-change/e-inverted-icons_web-12.png?w=120&hash=AD5959B96E3D0E4FFE7FFC9F1F6D3665)
![12 responsible consumption and production](/grand-challenges/-/media/uwa/rich-text/icons/climate-change/e-inverted-icons_web-13.png?w=120&hash=1B9F918AED704DB4FE1B1CA246F6692E)
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A More Just and Equitable World
![1 no poverty](/grand-challenges/-/media/uwa/rich-text/icons/covid-19/e-inverted-icons_web-01.png?h=122&w=120&hash=23F3C54DAE95E1023A23EA935B3B6AF5)
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Student and staff opportunities
There are many ways for you as a student or staff member to contribute to solving the world’s Grand Challenges. Connect your passion, purpose and career by getting involved. Explore just some of the opportunities below.
Education and career opportunities
- Active Citizenship minor
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The aim of this new interdisciplinary minor is to develop students' capacities to be caring, connected and socially engaged contributors to their communities through practical engagement with industry partners, and critical reflection on personal, community and government responsibility for positive change.
Engaged citizenship is increasingly important in a world that is global, complex and connected. Knowledge and understanding of the ways citizens can actively participate in their local and national communities is crucial to societal wellbeing; equally important is informed awareness of what it means to be globally connected where the impacts of social, political and environmental challenges reverberate internationally. The health and sustainability of future societies depends on citizens who are well informed, resilient and flexible, with skills that are adaptable to changing circumstances and needs.
Find out more about this new minor on the UWA Handbook or learn how to incorporate this minor into your studies by contacting your Student Advising Office. You can also email the McCusker Centre for Citizenship Academic Coordinator.
- Climate Change minor
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The natural sciences have developed a robust consensus on climate and related environmental changes and the numerous threats these present to the human and natural environment. However, translating this scientific knowledge into effective policy is one of the great challenges of our time. STEM graduates need to have a detailed understanding of the international and domestic politics, planning and policy processes that are key to implementing solutions to these global, complex and interconnected problems.
This minor prepares students for work in government, scientific organisations, the private sector and voluntary organisations by teaching them how domestic and international policy is produced, enabling them to apply their scientific expertise towards effective policy design and implementation. This minor consists of three streams based on specific global challenges: Climate Change, Urban Environments, and Environmental Planning.
Find out more about this new minor on the UWA Handbook or learn how to incorporate this minor into your studies by contacting your Student Advising Office
- Ocean Innovation minor
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Careful global management of ocean resources is key to a sustainable future, creating strong demand for graduates in a range of sectors of Australia's $100b Blue Economy. However, there has been a continuous deterioration of our capacity to conserve and sustainably use ocean resources due to climate impacts, pollution, water quality deterioration and an incomplete understanding of ocean environments. This gives rise to a range of global oceans challenges that society must address: in particular, developing sustainable solutions to oceans pollution, ecosystem conservation, food and energy production, coastal protection and, critically, improved societal understanding of the oceans.
The Oceans minor aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills foundation to identify:
(i) the extent, rates of change and complexities of these global oceans challenges,
(ii) the capacity for humans to influence ocean processes and environments, and
(iii) solution pathways for each challenge.
The minor is inherently multi-disciplinary, with each unit integrating views, approaches and understanding from the range of oceans-facing disciplines, including marine science, engineering, policy, planning and the social sciences. It is designed to allow students from all undergraduate programs at UWA to develop the skills required to drive the development of knowledge-led solutions to pressing ocean challenges and be valuable contributors to UWA's Grand Challenges programs.
Find out more about this minor in the UWA Handbook or learn how to incorporate this minor into your studies by contacting your Student Advising Office.
- Approaches to Wicked Problems unit
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Certain challenges facing Western Australian communities are complex or 'wicked', with demographic, infrastructural, political, cultural and economic dimensions. In this unit, students form small teams to address different dimensions of social challenges, working collaboratively with academic staff and the unit partners (community groups, industry or government).
Approaches to Wicked Problems offers enquiry-based learning, leadership training and develops valuable skills transferable to later studies and employment. Further skills developed include self-awareness, deep listening, inclusive communication and teamwork.
In January 2020, the McCusker Centre for Citizenship delivered this unit for the first time in partnership with the WA Alliance to End Homelessness. Held over four weeks, the unit saw 20 undergraduate students work in groups to solve a problem for organisations working to end homelessness.
Wicked Problems can be taken as a standalone unit or as part of the new Minor in Active Citizenship.
For more information, email our Academic Coordinator.
- Master of Ocean Leadership
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The Master of Ocean Leadership (MOL) provides graduates from any field with ocean-related leadership skills and expertise across marine science, engineering, law, resource economics and environmental management. This will enable graduates to strategically address human challenges in ocean systems and to implement solutions for the future of our coasts and seas.
The Master of Ocean Leader will equip you to work in multidisciplinary contexts to lead and contribute to effective teams. The course is a highly interactive program designed to be flexible and challenging for professionals and recent graduates alike.
- McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internships
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The McCusker Centre for Citizenship partners with more than 400 not-for-profit, community and government organisations to provide students with structured, quality internships.
Internships are open to all eligible currently enrolled undergraduate and postgraduate UWA students. There are four internship periods throughout the year - Semester 1, Winter, Semester 2 and Summer. Winter and Summer rounds are conducted as an intensive unit over a shorter time-frame, and during these periods internship roles are available with organisations based in regional WA in addition to roles across the Perth metro area.
Students earn academic credit towards their degree by completing an internship. The internship can be undertaken as a standalone unit or as part of the Centre’s Minor in Active Citizenship.
Find out more about the internship programs
The McCusker Centre also runs a Student Advisory Committee (SAC) you may want to get involved in. The SAC represents the Centre at various internal and external events, organises student events and provides the Director with feedback on a range of topics including the Centre’s units and programs. If you would like to know more, email[email protected].
- The Centre for Social Impact
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The Centre for Social Impact UWA (CSI UWA) creates and delivers education that transforms, research that informs best practice, and public engagement that inspires and mobilises change makers.
We develop solutions that are rigorous and purpose-driven and work with people, communities and organisations across Australia to grow their capabilities.
The Centre for Social Impact is a collaboration of four universities: Swinburne University of Technology, Flinders University, University of New South Wales and The University of Western Australia.
Together as a network, our purpose is to catalyse positive change, to help enable others to achieve social impact. Find out more on the Centre for Social Impact website.
Co-curricular learning opportunities
- Grand Challenges Series
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The UWA Grand Challenges Series aims to provide students with an understanding of UWA Grand Challenges and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, inspire interdisciplinary collaboration and empower students to make meaningful actions towards Grand Challenges.
This aligns with our vision to empower a generation of passion fuelled and purpose driven global citizens, committed to tackling the greatest challenges facing our world.
The Grand Challenges Series will take UWA students on a journey to;
• gain insight and knowledge,
• develop skills,
• be inspired,
• connect with a broad network and
• engage with and make a positive impact towards addressing grand challenges.Involvement in the Grand Challenges Series can contribute toward students' UWA Careers and Employability Award.
- 2024 UWA Grand Challenges Hackathon
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Registrations are now open for the 2024 UWA Grand Challenges Hackathon.
Brought to you by Venture, Enactus and the Guild Environment Department and sponsored by UWA Grand Challenges and Campus Management.
How might we develop a more equitable world? How might we tackle the generational challenge of climate change?
Kick off: Thursday September 26th 4-6pm
Hackaway over the weekend with posters due 11.59pm Sunday September 29th
Pitch Night: Monday September 30th
Interested in developing ideas and projects to solve real-world problems over a 72 hour period? Apply your discipline knowledge in multidisciplinary team, meet other change makers and work towards potential solutions for the Grand Challenges of Climate Change and a More Just and Equitable World. Join with friends as a team or as an individual and be paired with a group.
$1000 First Prize
$500 Second Prize
Winners get the opportunity to enter Venture's Incubator for Social and Environmental Impact!
Hackathon Posters will be displayed as part of the Contemporary Issues in PRME Annual Lecture: Climate Change and Gender Equity on Tuesday October 1.
Campus Management will work with the most implementable project to see if it's viable to deliver the project on campus!
Register for the Hackathon here
- Joondalup Innovation Challenge
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UWA Grand Challenges teamed up with Venture to sponsor student participation in the 2023 Joondalup Innovation Challenge!
The Joondalup Innovation Challenge (JIC) is Western Australia’s foremost collaborative Innovation Challenge, bringing together over 100 students from six educational institutions. Students work in multidisciplinary teams to solve real-world problems faced by Joondalup residents, students and businesses. Students develop key employability skills including communication, innovation, leadership, business agility and networking.
Students prepare themselves for the future of work by learning how to rapidly make decisions and deploy creative, technology-based solutions. They can build their confidence and capability in digital literacy and critical technology skills by attending both live and virtual summits and mastermind sessions and by preparing video pitches using the latest technology platforms.
Find out more on the Joondalup Innovation Challenge website.
- Venture: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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Venture’s partnership with Grand Challenges enhances support to current UWA student entrepreneurs who have a social enterprise concept that uses social innovations to make a positive difference and create change in the world. All incubated businesses seek to address 1 or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and 1 or more of the UWA Grand Challenges, A More Just and Equitable World and Climate Change.
Venture is a UWA Student Guild initiative that exists to better prepare students for the future of work, whatever that might look like. Through the curation of a suite of industry events and hackathons, industry-led skills development workshops, and via three flagship programs:
- Venture’s Innovation Consultancy works with industry partners to solve challenges;
- Venture’s Incubator supports the development of social and/or environmental impact student-led businesses through mentorship, a structured education program, industry-led workshops and equity-free seed funding;
- Venture’s Startup Internships where students learn industry-specific, practical tools with our industry partners before interning in one of Venture’s incubated start-ups.
Venture’s programs can be completed as work-integrated learning units or as additional, co-curricular opportunities.
Find out more or get involved by contacting [email protected].
Making a Difference Grants
UWA Grand Challenges Making a Difference Grants support and empower current UWA students and future students to implement social and environmental initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and UWA Grand Challenges.
The grants are one of the ways that current students can contribute to the Grand Challenges and be part of UWA’s approach to sustainable education.
- Next Gen: High School Making a Difference Grants
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Next Gen Grants for High School students are worth up to $500 and are available to WA high schools, who want to make a positive difference by creating a social and/or environmental impact initiative in their school and/or connected communities, that addresses one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and one or more of the UWA Grand Challenges, A More Just and Equitable World and Climate Change.
Congratulations to Busselton Senior High School, Duncraig Senior High School and St Norbert College who received Making A Difference Next Gen Grants this year. We look forward to working with you and hearing about the impact of your projects at the Making A Difference Showcase on Friday 20 September.
Making a Difference Grants will be offered again in 2025. Please express your interest/any questions to: [email protected]
Applications are awarded based on the following:
- Impact and Objectives
- Do the objectives create a measurable social and/or environmental impact?
- Are the objectives clear and achievable in the proposed timeframe?
- How will the proposed impact affect the school community, and/or wider community?
- Alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UWA Grand Challenges
- Does the initiative demonstrate strong alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UWA Grand Challenges of Climate Change and a More Just and Equitable World?
- Need and Sustainability
- Is there a broader need for the proposed initiative in the wider community?
- Is this a new or existing Initiative? Greater weighting will be placed on new innovative initiatives.
- Is there potential for this initiative to be ongoing?
- Have you considered the sustainability/recurrence of the initiative beyond the grant funding?
- Benefit and Collaboration
- What are the potential benefits of the initiative on the community?
- Will the project involve collaboration with other organisations i.e. local governments, Not for Profits etc?
- Resources and Evaluation
- Does the application articulate resources required and why?
- What additional resource contributions could be leveraged i.e. In-Kind funding, volunteer time.
- How do you intend to measure the impact of the initiative?
- Impact and Objectives
- Impact: Current UWA Students
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The Impact Making a Difference grants are available to current UWA students and are designed to stimulate social and environmental impact initiatives that address one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and one or more of the UWA Grand Challenges, A More Just and Equitable World and Climate Change. There are two sub-categories:
- Grants up to $500 for current UWA students to create an initiative or series of small initiatives to stimulate social and/or environmental impact.
- Grants up to $2,500 for current UWA students to connect, advance or add value to current UWA research or area of study, stimulate new areas of student research, produce a resource or policy, or implement a program.
Impact projects will have access to mentoring and support from UWA staff and/or Alumni.
The 2024 Making a Difference Grants have been awarded to the following projects:
• Bio-Plastic Research, combining bacterial plastic degradation with bioplastic production to address marine plastic pollution effectively.
• The Birthing Kits Project, providing clean birth kits to under-resourced communities to prevent maternal and infant deaths and infections during childbirth.
• Coders for Causes, a student-led team that assists charities and non-profits by providing free technical solutions, enabling them to redirect funds to essential initiatives.
• Women UNI-ted, a support group for female university students who have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence.
• Modern Forms of Slavery Awareness Initiative, raising awareness and educating students about modern forms of slavery in Australia.
• SCOMPod, a podcast by UWA Science Communication students enhancing science engagement and understanding through a professionally developed podcast.
• UWA Oceans Institute Marine Science Exhibition, aimed at bridging the gap between science and the public by presenting marine science research and fostering collaboration.
• Robotics Club Outreach Program, promoting STEM education, equity, and sustainability by introducing robotics education to younger students.
• Mental Labour Gender Gap Initiative, working on research to tackle workplace implications of mental labour to promote workplace equality.
• Equality at UWA, an initiative encouraging students to showcase projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Banksia Media Study, examining the ecocultural significance of Banksia media in the Southwestern Australian Floristic Region.
• A “What Were You Wearing?” Exhibition, challenging victim-blaming narratives placed on sexual assault survivors.
We look forward to working with these students across 2024 and hearing about their impact at the Making a Difference Showcase (Friday 20 September 2024)
To stay informed about Making a Difference Grants:
Applications are awarded based on the following:
- Impact and Objectives
- Do the objectives create a measurable social and/or environmental impact?
- Are the objectives clear and achievable in the proposed timeframe?
- How will the proposed impact affect the university community, and/or wider community?
- Alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UWA Grand Challenges
- Does the initiative demonstrate strong alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UWA Grand Challenges of Climate Change and a More Just and Equitable World?
- Need and Sustainability
- Is there a broader need for the proposed initiative in the wider community?
- Is this a new or existing Initiative? Greater weighting will be placed on new innovative initiatives.
- Is there potential for this initiative to be ongoing?
- Have you considered the sustainability/recurrence of the initiative beyond the grant funding?
- Benefit and Collaboration
- What are the potential benefits of the initiative on the community?
- Will the project involve collaboration with other organisations i.e. local governments, Not for Profits etc?
- Resources and Evaluation
- Does the application articulate resources required and why?
- What additional resource contributions could be leveraged i.e. In-Kind funding, volunteer time.
- How do you intend to measure the impact of the initiative?
Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.
- Previous Making A Difference Grant Projects
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Congratulations to the following schools for receiving grants in 2023:
- Busselton Senior High School
- Duncraig Senior High School
- Greenwood College
- Presbyterian Ladies’ College
- Santa Maria College
- St Norbert College
The high school projects focused on waste reduction, mental health, plastic monitoring and bee habitats from Busselton SHS, Duncraig SHS, Greenwood College, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Santa Maria College and St Norbert College. Busselton SHS’s Caring for Country program saw students undertake environmental recovery, including anti-erosion and revegetation activities, on Wadandi Boodja and installing sanctuaries for the endangered Quenda after the Meelup Regional Park fires.
The current UWA student initiatives included the Robotics Club initiating a primary school outreach program down in Albany, Guild Volunteering developing a new UWA Guild Community Garden, Venture and Enactus collaborating to run a Grand Challenges Hackathon and students in the Business school running SustainFest allowing more students to engage with the Grand Challenges. Numerous initiatives including those by AISEC also engaged and partnered with industry.
Previous Making a Difference Grant Projects [PDF 12MB]
Volunteering and life on campus
- UWA Guild
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The UWA Guild contains many opportunities for students to get involved.
You can turn your passion into action with Guild Volunteering. There are many opportunities to make social and environmental impact and your volunteer hours can be added to your academic transcript.
There are numerous clubs and societies whose activities align with the UWA Grand Challenges and/or the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The Student Guild Environment Department also works to promote sustainable change by providing a platform for students to engage with and advocate for environmental action. Visit the Environment Department website to learn how to get involved.
Explore clubs and societies
- AIESEC
- Man Up
- Students for Refugees
- Teach Learn Grow
- Ignite Mentoring
- TedxUWA
- Amnesty International
- UneARThed
- Artists Against Poverty UWA
- Venture
- WA Youth Public Policy Institute
- Bloom
- Enactus
- Coders for Causes
- Multicultural Students Union
- Progressive Energy Society
- Save the Children UWA
- Students for Refugees UWA
- Amnesty International
- Who Gives a Buck
- UWA Science Union
Alumni
We have countless graduates who work within our Grand Challenges themes.
Explore some of their sustainability podcasts to learn about graduates who are changemakers in society.
Sustainability Connect: UWA Alumni in the Americas
Sustainability Connect: UWA Alumni in Asia
Register your interest in volunteering as an Alumni Grand Challenges Champion. You could be a guest speaker in the seminar series, run a student workshop, share your story or feature your work on our website.
Initiatives and projects
Explore just some of the projects and initiatives undertaken by members of the UWA community that align with our Grand Challenges.
- Coronavax project
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The Coronavax project is a joint initiative between the VaxPolLab at UWA and the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at Telethon Kids Institute. The project documents community attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccines and communicates these to State and Commonwealth governments. It involves qualitative interviews and focus groups with key consumers, social media analysis, and functional dialogues with government departments, linking the voices of the community with the ears of government.
Coronavax contains numerous sub-projects. Coronavax 1 and 2 focus on young adults, adults 65+ years, healthcare and aged care workers, and parents and guardians. Coronavax 3 looks at hard-to-reach groups:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in the Perth metro area
- Adults from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Non-Indigenous adults living in regional or remote WA
- Adults from vulnerable communities experiencing homelessness, domestic violence or substance abuse
- Adults aged 18 to 64 years with comorbidities
Coronavax 3 asks what these groups need in terms of government communication and information regarding a COVID-19 vaccine. How do their attitudes compare to other vaccines? What are their concerns? How do they want government to speak to them? How can government best motivate or assist these groups to get vaccinated? By using interviews, focus groups, social media analysis and dialogue, we can document their concerns and communicate them to governments.
One of UWA’s Grand Challenges is A More Just and Equitable World Post-COVID-19. Relatedly, two of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are Good health and well-being (SDG 3) and Reduced inequalities (SDG 10). Coronavax 3 fulfils this Grand Challenge and these goals by focusing on population groups that are difficult to reach and at risk of being ‘left behind’ during a mainstream COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
For a successful COVID-19 vaccine program, it is imperative we pay attention to groups at high risk of morbidity and transmission, particularly those expected to be poorly reached by mainstream rollout.
The COVID-19 outbreak experience in Melbourne’s public housing towers illustrates that communities are not homogenous, and need to be consulted regarding their own wellbeing and resilience. Western Australia’s Aboriginal communities have successfully advocated for policies and programs that keep them COVID-free. We need to build on these strengths and capacities by working with communities to research and develop plans for optimal vaccine uptake.
- Assisted colonisation as a management response to climate change
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In a general sense, our climate is shifting poleward and the corridors of habitat that allowed species to track such shifts in the past are now in fragments. In 2010, a UWA-led team began a world-first initiative to circumvent this problem for a critically endangered reptile.
Seasonal wetlands 300km south of the known range of the Western Swamp Turtle (or tortoise) that are likely to provide suitable microclimates in the future were identified, and trial translocations of captive-bred turtles to candidate wetlands began in 2016. This type of action, known as ‘assisted colonisation’ or ‘assisted migration’ is controversial due to the risk of the introduced species transforming its new environment, but is not unlike situations where threatened animal species have been rescued from extinction by moving them to islands safe from invasive predators.
Western Swamp Turtles are also vulnerable to introduced predators, but critically, they need reliable winter rainfall to fill the seasonal wetlands where they breed and grow. The combination of lowering groundwater, reduced rainfall and heavily fragmented habitat surrounding the last remaining viable wild population north of Perth is making it impossible for this very rare species to mount a recovery without conservation interventions.
This project is an ongoing collaboration between university researchers (including many UWA PhD, honours and master’s students), and the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and in recent years has been supported by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the National Environmental Science Program and WWF Australia. It addresses SDG 13 Climate action and SDG 15 Life on land.
The research has been featured in the New York Times and Nature as a pioneering example of assisted colonisation, and project leader Nicki Mitchell has given several plenary addresses at international conferences on this emerging option for maintaining wild populations of threatened species under a changing climate.
- UWA Modern Slavery Research Cluster
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The UWA Modern Slavery Research Cluster (MSRC) was established in 2019 and brings together interdisciplinary researchers from across UWA. Modern slavery is an umbrella term used to describe a number of crimes, including, but not limited to, human trafficking, forced labour, sexual slavery, child labour and trafficking, domestic servitude, forced marriage, bonded labour, slavery and other slavery-like practices. In 2018, Australia introduced its Modern Slavery Act (Cth) which requires businesses with an annual turnover of $100 million or more to publish annual statements on their actions to assess risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
According to the International Labour Organisation and the Walk Free Foundation, there are 40 million people in modern slavery around the world – 25 million people in forced labour and 15 million people in forced marriage. 71% of those in modern slavery are women and girls, and 25% are children. Some industries present a particular modern slavery risk and certain countries and regions are known to present a higher risk of modern slavery. The Asia Pacific region has a high incidence of modern slavery, so this is a risk for Australian companies with operations and supply chains in the region.
Robust research in this area is necessary and UWA’s MSRC brings together researchers from a number of schools including Law, Business, History, Social Sciences and Oceans with diverse interests in human rights, corporate law, supply chains, SMEs, forced marriage, consumers, and the history of slavery in Australia.
Our work aligns closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, given the focus on issues such as forced labour, bonded labour and the worst forms of child labour, it links closely with SDG 8 Decent work. Severe worker exploitation also leads to and is facilitated by poverty (SDG 1 No poverty). In seeking to understand the causes of, and propose solutions to, modern slavery, we work towards SDG 10 Reduce inequalities.
Modern Slavery Statement [PDF, 2,404KB] - Contact Geraldine Tan for more information
- United Nations’ Principles of Responsible Management Education
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The UWA Business School's commitment to advancing social responsibility is marked by its recognition as a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education (UNPRME). Inspired by internationally accepted values embodied in the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the PRME initiative connects business schools and business leaders to shape business management education in support of attaining the UN sustainable development goals.
The UWA Business School's commitment to advancing these goals is reflected in its teaching, research and community engagement activities. The activities of the Centre for Social Impact, academic staff and the student body have enhanced the School’s reputation as an organisation that is at the cutting edge of researching social issues such as homelessness, migration, workplace restructuring, and now the effects of COVID-19 and thinking through strategies that can respond to these big challenges.
Becoming a signatory to the UN PRME initiative reinforces the School's commitments in the areas of ethics, social responsibility and sustainability, and helps forge national and international collaborations that open up opportunities for UWA to both share with and learn from the best practice examples of other top academic institutions participating in the global PRME community.
The PRME principles provide a unique opportunity for the School and University to engage with our students to develop their capabilities to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society. The principles also provide us with the opportunity to develop our students’ potential to be leaders who are able to work with all community sectors, especially that of the business community, to explore effective approaches to address the sustainable development goals and meet social and environmental responsibilities.
UNPRME Report - Contact Donella Casperz for more information
- Marine Energy Research Australia
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Marine Energy Research Australia (MERA) is an externally funded research initiative within UWA established in 2017, then named Wave Energy Research Centre. MERA’s mandate is to assemble and consolidate the world-leading research expertise on ocean science and engineering at UWA in their transition to ocean renewable energy.
MERA is currently focused on the Albany M4 Wave Energy Demonstration Project, with funding from the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre and the Government of Western Australia. Formally commenced in 2022, the project aims to design, construct, deploy, operate and decommission a wave energy converter in Albany’s outer harbour, King George Sound, to demonstrate:
i. the potential of the wave resources in the Great Southern to power the local economy and develop an export industry;
ii. the capabilities of the local supply chain in undertaking large scale ocean energy projects; and
iii. the efficiency of the M4 wave energy technology.
The total project cash value is $4 million of which the majority is re-invested in the supply chain of local businesses and Albany-based MERA staff. The M4 technology is non-commercial and based on the design developed by project partners at the University of Manchester, UK. The Great Southern coast boasts one of the world’s best wave energy resources for power density and consistency, and a grid connection point exists at the Albany Windfarm at Moodrenup/Sandpatch for a future full-size wave energy converter. The M4 Project established a nursey site for wave energy technology testing and uses a reduced-scale converter to model the potential for wave energy in decarbonising nearby end user operations such as the Albany Shellfish Hatchery and Albany’s Historic Whaling Station on the Torndirrup peninsula. The M4 wave energy converter is surface-riding with two frame segments on floater buoys, generating electricity through the flexing motion in the hinge.
The Centre is the conduit for marine and renewable energy projects in the region, with additional leverage of national and international academic and industry networks. Data from WERC wave buoys is freely available to the public and to technology developers and is a trusted source for the local surfing community and ecotourism operators.
MERA headquarters are in Albany, in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, where operations, fieldwork and community outreach contribute to the prosperity and resilience of a regional community and local supply chain. MERA is founder and Steering Committee member of the Australian Ocean Energy Group (AOEG), which is an industry-led consortium that aims to accelerate innovation in and cost-competiveness of the ocean energy sector.
- United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (Western Australia)
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The United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (Western Australia) is a network of leaders in sustainability research, training and education, working towards social, cultural, economic and environmental sustainability, using education as a central tool. A UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UNRCE) is not a physical centre or building, but rather an apolitical network of individuals, organisations and experts who understand the sustainability challenges in their home regions and are committed to using education as a tool for building a sustainable future. As of September 2023, over 190 RCEs have officially been acknowledged by the United Nations University worldwide, five of which are in Australia.
UNRCEs aspire to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals by building innovative ways for diverse organisations to work together to share information and collaborate. UNRCE networks include formal learning institutions, like schools and universities, as well as informal learning establishments, such as parks, museums, private enterprises, local governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and the media. UNRCEs ensure that the many facets of sustainable development have a place in primary, secondary, and tertiary education and research, as well as in informal learning spaces.
There are currently two UNRCE WA Network Hubs:
- Perth
- Albany
UNRCE (Western Australia) website
Email [email protected]
- UWA Grand Challenges Summit 2022
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Under the banner of the two UWA Grand Challenges: A more just and equitable world, and Climate Change, the summit brought together, students, industry representatives, leaders in business and government, thought leaders, academics, and the community to explore the solutions for some of society’s most complex problems. It was a fantastic day of engagement, with over 200 participants, keynote sessions, 8 collaborative conversation workshops, and the interactive Game Changer Village.
Publications and reports
UN Global Compact, Communication on Engagement [PDF, 1,531KB] - Contact Geraldine Tan for more information
Disability Access and Inclusion Action Plan – 2020 – 2025
Sustainability at UWA
What we’re doing
Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-25 demonstrates our commitment and provides a roadmap to addressing environmental challenges as a University.
We are currently developing the UWA Sustainability Strategy which is guided by Indigenous ways, and developed with extensive consultation. It outlines our strategic objectives and focus areas for embedding sustainability into our actions, behaviours and culture.
Goals and targets
The University has a target of energy carbon neutrality* by 2025 and carbon neutrality^ by 2030.
The University has developed an Energy Carbon Neutral Strategy to help us achieve energy neutrality.
* Net zero carbon emissions from stationary energy use
^ Net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions measured in accordance with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme
What we’re doing now
Installing solar photovoltaic panels
Energy efficiency upgrades
Procuring renewable energy supply for the campus
More information is available in the Energy Carbon Neutral website.
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