From improving conditions for disadvantaged children to protecting lungfish, five Griffith University research projects have been successful in this year’s ARC Linkage Project grants.

The projects have attracted a total funding of $1,480,918.

Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor warmly congratulated the new Linkage Project awardees.

The project which attracted the largest funding is;

Professor Ross Homel, Professor Neil Dempster, Professor Clare Tilbury and Dr Matthew Manning who were awarded $449,430 for their project “Creating the conditions for collective impact: Transforming the child serving system in disadvantaged communities”.

The Australian Rivers Institute has had multiple successes;

Professor Jane Hughes, Dr Mark Kennard and Dr Nick Bond secured $381,678 for their project“Have we already lost the Australian Lungfish?”

Dr Tim Pietsch, Dr Justine Kemp and Professor Jon Olley were awarded $205,000 for their project“Kiacatoo Man: biology, archaeology and environment at the Last Glacial Maximum”.

And ARI’s Associate Professor Michele Burford is also the recipient of a grant through a project collaboration with UNSW.

Griffith’s other ARC Linkage grants were awarded to;

Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck and Dr Dianne Shanley who have been awarded $282,000 for their project“Empowering and protecting children by enhancing knowledge, skills and well-being: A randomised trial of Learn to BE SAFE with EmmyTM”

Associate Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele and Dr Cheryl Leo also secured $162,810 for “Advancing Prevention Science: Application of Social Marketing to Change the Drinking Culture of Young Australians”.

“Griffith University is launching a suite of initiatives under its three-year ‘New Griffith 2013-2016’ program, signifying an intensive period of change and innovation.” http://www.griffith.edu.au/newgriffith