During the practical sessions, you will develop a research proposal in a small group of 3-5 students that addresses one of the Federal Government’s National Research Priorities. The proposal will clearly articulate the research problem being addressed, briefly outline the approach to addressing the research question, provide a time-line for the research and a budget. The proposal will also outline how the skills/experience of the students involved will contribute to the project. Each group will initially prepare a 1 page expression of interest (EOI) using the EOI template provided which will not be graded but on which you will receive feedback. Based on this feedback, you will then individually draft a full proposal. The full proposal should use the full proposal template and should be prepared in consultation with instructions to applicants and resources provided in ilearn modules on grant proposals and research ethics (Weeks 9-11). The full proposal will be submitted to turnitin to check that it is distinct to the submissions of other group members. The full proposal is worth 30% of your final mark.
Possible project topics:
During the practical sessions you will be guided through some brainstorming activities to identify potential topics for proposal. However, below are some suggestions in case you get stuck.
•Coral IVF for rebuilding reefs
•Developing future-proof methods for ecological restoration
•Harnessing positive species interactions for conservation and restoration
•Identifying drivers of and management responses to eucalypt die back
•New approaches to bushfire management
•Tools for bushfire recovery of forests/wildlife/human communities
•Adaptation of aquaculture/agriculture industries to climate warming
•Adaptation of natural ecosystems to climate change
•Viral emergence and evolution in wildlife
•Evolution of gut microbiomes
•Preventing colony collapse in bees
•Impacts of the COVID-19 global shut-down on ecological communities – what can we learn about human impacts, and the capacity of ecosystems for recovery?
•Developing multi-functional marine built structures
•Impacts of disease prevention measures (e.g. social distancing) on transmission
•Natural history, immunity and re-infection of COVID in different groups/subpopulations
•The mechanisms by which plastic pollution drives environmental change
•How does the environment shape the behavioural warning signals of animals?