Global Challenges Program

Our purpose

To see the big picture. We span disciplinary boundaries, work together and exchange ideas.

Our lives, work and environment are being transformed and the UOW Global Challenges program recognises the need for interconnected research to help drive social, economic and cultural change for our region, nationally and across the globe. Our researchers want to make a difference in the world and they are not afraid to take risks.

Nearly a decade after it was first launched, the UOW Global Challenges Program is launching three new challenges that reflect the changing challenges the world is facing. These challenges will not only encourage researchers to work across disciplines but also encourage and develop creative and community engaged, co-designed research based around these three new challenges.

Global Challenges will continue to cultivate research excellence while embodying equity and diversity principles to support and grow the next generation of research leaders. We will fund diverse and inspired teams and we plan to nurture our new research teams so they achieve their full potential.

Our values

  • Adventurous: We recognise that tackling complex problems requires risk-taking, learning from failure is valuable and great research is an adventure.
  • Collegial: We listen to one another, build relationships and enjoy working together.
  • Inclusive: We promote agency, and celebrate diverse voices in research.
  • Supportive: We work collaboratively in an open environment to enable research to flourish.
“The problems we posed to our research community are some of the big challenges we face at the local, national and global level. The projects funded in this round encompass everything from AI to renewable energy, the housing crisis, decolonising academia, wearable technology, circular economy and protecting vulnerable communities.” Professor David Currow, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures)