Fifteen world-class researchers will be awarded Australian Laureate Fellowships to tackle some of the most urgent and complex research issues facing Australia and the world.

The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme gives outstanding research leaders the opportunity to solve big problems and pass on their skills to the next generation, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said today.

“These 15 top-flight researchers and their teams will receive a total of $35.5 million,” Senator Carr said.

“For example, Professor Lorraine Mazerolle from the University of Queensland will use her fellowship to test the effectiveness of Third-Party Policing—a promising new approach that involves police partnering with communities and organisations to better control crime.

“Professor Min Gu from Swinburne University of Technology will use his fellowship to research a ground-breaking petabyte data storage technology which will allow us to store the equivalent of 10,000 DVDs on one disc.

“Professor Bryan Gaensler from the University of Sydney will use his fellowship to help demonstrate the viability of technologies that could be used in the Square Kilometre Array, the world’s most powerful radio-telescope.

“Consistent with their high international standing, the 15 Australian Laureate Fellows will collaborate with research partners from 28 countries. This will not only make for better research outcomes; it will extend Australia’s international research connections, which are vital for our performance in the increasingly integrated global research system.”

Information about the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme and biographies and media contact details for all 15 fellows are available at www.arc.gov.au/media/major_announce.htm.

A copy of the Minister's speech at the award ceremony is available here.

Media contacts:  Aban Contractor, Minister's Office, 0457 989 842
                          Sheena Ireland, ARC, 0412 623 056