Research Projects

Protection of the Gulf Snapping Turtle in the Southern Gulf Region

23 Feb 2026 - 30 Jun 2028

Southern Gulf NRM seek to improve the protection of the Gulf Snapping Turtle through the control of feral pigs and better managing cattle movements. JCU will be supporting this project through applying environmental DNA, collected from soil and water, across the Southern Gulf region to help identify the locations where the Gulf Snapping Turtle and introduced Tilapia are present, along with a broader aquatic biodiversity screen, to help guide where protection efforts should be prioritised.

Reintroduction and monitoring of the Armoured Mistfrog, Litoria lorica (Old ID 31133)

Conrad Hoskin

12 Sep 2023 - 31 Dec 2026

I have a long-term research project on the monitoring and recovery of the Critically Endangered Armoured Mistfrog. I am collaborating on this with the Threatened Species Group (DES, Qld Government) to perform a reintroduction and subsequently monitor all populations for three years. This grant will fund that research.

Facing the feedback: Exploring students and staff assessment feedback preferences

Peter Hartin

1. Which feedback modalities (text-based, audio and video) do students and staff prefer and what are the key factors driving student and staff preferences for feedback delivery? 2. What is the effectiveness of the feedback modalities (text-based, audio and video) in promoting student engagement with and utilisation of feedback? 3. What are the benefits and challenges experienced by staff with using the different feedback modalities (text-based, audio and video)?

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis: a functional genomics approach (Old ID 20272)

Margaret Jordan

01 Jan 2013 - 31 Dec 2016

The locations of genes causing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have been recently identified. The remaining challenge is to determine how these genetic locations contribute to risk. We have adopted a strategy to identify candidate genes (protein coding units) based on their differential expression in relevant immunocyte subsets. This project tests the candidate genes RGS1, HHEX and THEMIS.

Alexandra Beauregard's Visit to JCUS

Sherry Aw

03 May 2026 - 10 May 2026

Professor Alexandra Beauregard, from the University of London, is intending to visit Singapore from 3rd to 10th May (Days in JCUS: 4th-8th May) to conduct a series of workshops and talks for our research faculty and post-graduate students. Her visit will coincide with Prof Eddy Ng and the PCC Cluster Research Soiree. Please see attached supporting document for proposed activities and workshops, intended audience, expected outcome, and budget

Feasibility of Vibration-Based Projectile Impact Localisation on Steel Targets

Tao Huang

02 Mar 2026 - 01 Mar 2027

This project will investigate whether vibration signals measured directly on steel shooting targets can be used to reliably determine the two-dimensional impact location of projectiles. The work focuses on the sensing and signal-processing components of impact localisation, while the overall system design, wireless communications, and firearm testing will be handled separately by TACRDLABS. The core idea is to attach a small array of vibration sensors to the rear of a steel target and analyse the resulting waveforms when an impact occurs. Different sensor technologies will be considered, such as piezoelectric sensors, contact microphones, and knock sensors. The project will study how sensor type, mounting method (for example, adhesive versus bolt-on), and placement on the target influence signal quality, especially the earliest part of the vibration response that is most informative for localisation. High-sample-rate vibration data from live firearm tests on steel targets will be collected and supplied by TACRDLABS. James Cook University will complement this with controlled mechanical impact experiments, such as hammer or pendulum strikes at known locations on instrumented targets. These datasets will be curated with associated metadata (sensor type, mounting method, target size, impact location, and impact type) to enable systematic analysis. Using these datasets, the project will develop proof-of-concept signal processing methods and Python scripts to detect impacts, extract the earliest identifiable arrivals across multiple sensors, and estimate impact coordinates using time-difference-of-arrival style approaches. The analysis will examine how localisation performance depends on sensor layout, target size, and mounting method, and will explore strategies to improve robustness, such as increasing sensor count or applying appropriate filtering. Performance will be quantified in terms of localisation error, timing precision requirements, and detection reliability under a range of realistic conditions. The findings will be synthesised into practical design rules and guidelines for sensor selection, coupling, and placement on steel targets, along with recommendations on timing and sampling requirements for future embedded implementations. Overall, the project will deliver a focused feasibility assessment of vibration-based projectile impact localisation on steel targets, along with example algorithms and configuration guidelines that TACRDLABS can use in the design of an integrated smart target system for defence, law enforcement, and recreational shooting applications.

Identifying sources of fine sediments to protect the Great Barrier Reef (Old ID 22667)

Zoe Bainbridge

04 Jul 2016 - 15 Apr 2021

This fellowship builds on Bainbridge's PhD thesis which identified the sediment fractions preferentially transported from rivers via flood flumes to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, and which have the greatest influence on photic depth/water clarity. The research will identify both the key properties and the primary sources of this material, enabling more effective prioritisation and direct targeting of control works to improve the quality of water discharged to the Great Barrier Reef. This research is cutting edge in the field of sediment tracing and will contribute locally by identifying specific catchment sources of ecologically-damaging fine sediment, and to the broader international field of sediment tracing.

Maroochy MangroveWatch - Mangrove and Saltmarsh dreaming Project (Old ID 22916)

Norm Duke

01 Feb 2016 - 30 Jun 2017

The intention of this research will be to undertake land and sea assessments of mangrove areas around the Sunshine Coast. Assistance will be provided to the Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Traditional Owner group to implement a MangroveWatch shoreline habitat monitoring program in the Maroochy River. This aim of this program will be to implement actions that will improve mangrove and saltmarsh management in the Maroochy River estury through increased traditional owner engagtement and capacity building in tidal wetland management, protection and restoration.

Gender, Work, and Migration: Building Work Capital among Korean Women in Australia

Sujin Kim

01 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2027

In migrant societies, work functions as more than a means of subsistence. It serves as a critical foundation for building diverse forms of capital that facilitate long-term social integration and empowerment. Yosso (2005), in their study on migrant communities, identified six forms of community cultural capital - aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, navigational, and resistant. In particular, employment plays a central role in developing these capitals. For example, it sustains hope for upward mobility (aspirational capital), promotes language acquisition through workplace interactions (linguistic capital), strengthens family and community networks (familial and social capital), and provide financial stability. Furthermore, it enables individuals to navigate unfamiliar institutional environments effectively (navigational capital) and to challenge negative stereotypes while fostering a positive self-image (resistant capital; Kitayama & Imai, 2022). Among these, aspirational capital through employment is an important element in helping migrants maintain a vision and goals for their future in a new society. Australia is systemically dependent on immigration for both economic and demographic growth (Gamlen & Sherrell, 2022). It is recognised as a classical immigration country and a migration state, formed through continuous migration from the earliest Indigenous peoples who arrived up to 65,000 years ago to more recent settlers over the past two centuries. According to the 2021 Census, there were 102,092 Korea-born residents in Australia (45.0% male, 55.0% female), with 48% holding at least a bachelor’s degree. This proportion is significantly higher than the national average of 26.3%, suggesting that a considerable share of Korea-born migrants are highly educated and skilled. Therefore, they represent a population with the foundational capacity to develop work into capital, making the application of the Work Capital concept (Kim & Allan, 2024) particularly relevant. Work capital is a culturally sensitive conceptual and measurement tool that captures how occupational experiences are transformed into career development, economic stability, and socio-cultural integration. This research project places particular emphasis on the experiences of working female migrants. South Korea’s gender wage gap stands at 29.3%, notably higher than the OECD average of approximately 11.5% and significantly above Australia’s, which is around 11.3% (OECD, 2023). Sul Tcha and Lobo (2003) found that among Korean immigrants in Australia, women were more likely than men to perceive certain structural and environmental constraints as more significant. Building on this, the research focuses on how women who have experienced gender inequality in Korea navigate and overcome institutional and social barriers in Australia, and how they utilise work to strengthen their economic position. Previous research by Choi (2022) examined the formation of Korean entrepreneurial enclaves in Melbourne and Sydney but noted that the contexts, consequences, and implications of life, occupational choices, and business directions among migrants were insufficiently explored, calling for further research. This study will conduct a survey of 400 Korea-born residents in Australia using the Work Capital Scale developed by Kim and Allan (2024) to investigate how work capital is accumulated and utilised. The study will further examine how theoretically informed contextual factors (such as childhood and current social class and downward classism) and vocational factors (including work volition, career adaptability, and decent work) function as antecedents and outcomes of work capital (Kim et al., 2024). In addition, in-depth semi-structured interviews will be conducted to explore the specific career experiences and barrier-overcoming strategies of Korean female migrants. This research will constitute the first empirical investigation of work capital among Korean immigrants in Australia, thereby extending the theoretical scope of migration integration studies and offering policy-relevant insights to support the economic self-reliance and career development of female migrants. Furthermore, it will contribute to comparative migration research between Australia and Korea. In doing so, the project will advance the field of Korean studies by deepening understanding of the experiences of Koreans abroad, while also strengthening knowledge exchange and collaborative ties between Korea and Australia.

GRANT Awarded: Regional Enablers Grant

Samantha Horseman

26 Dec 2024 - 25 Nov 2027

Regional Enablers Program (REP) aims to: develop innovation activities and services that supports Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) to ideate, startup and scaleup. strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by delivering services that support local IDEs in their communities. activate and improve networks that drive collaborative approaches for IDE growth, through capability uplifts, events and knowledge sharing. accelerate technological innovation and regional adoption in priority industries such as AgTech to transform regional economies.