Making an impact
Research can lead to real benefits for the economy, the environment, animal and human wellbeing, and health. It may help to address humanity’s biggest challenges, such as social inequity and climate heating. Or it may solve a problem for a local community. Here is some of the impact arising from research by the University of Melbourne and its collaborators.
-
A new technology to improve outcomes for corneal transplant patients
Working with medical specialists, researchers at the University of Melbourne have engineered a solution to simplify corneal endothelium transplants and to improve surgical prospects for patients worldwide.
-
Supporting the successful eradication of foxes on Phillip Island
Modelling from the University of Melbourne helped Phillip Island Nature Parks decide how and when to scale back its fox eradication activities.
-
Lenexa Medical’s new technology to ease pressure for bed-bound patients
A Melbourne-based start-up has developed an innovative product, LenexaCARE, to help prevent pressure injuries by monitoring patient position and posture.
-
A new framework to support inclusion in rural health services
A new framework will help generalist rural health service providers assess their existing practices to help create inclusive cultures that welcome diversity.
-
Reducing the impact of zoo visitors on little penguins
Melbourne Zoo changed its enclosure for little penguins after studies showed that visitors can have unintended negative effects on the animals.
-
Ethical guidance to help doctors navigate disagreements with parents over their child’s healthcare
Doctors and parents sometimes disagree about the best medical treatment for a child. The Zone of Parental Discretion helps healthcare professionals navigate decision-making with families.
-
Reaching stroke patients in time to give life-saving treatment
Stroke patients in the Mobile Stroke Unit are ten times more likely to be treated in the ‘golden hour’ than patients who go to hospital by ambulance.
-
What 20 years of data tell us about Australia
The annual HILDA Survey helps improve life in Australia by informing government policy in areas including health, employment and social services.
-
Using history and theatre to build a just future
Testimony from an 1881 Parliamentary Inquiry in Victoria, Australia, has sparked public conversations about Indigenous justice and reconciliation.
-
Tools to help teach students with additional needs or disability
The SWANs assessment and teaching tools are improving education for children and young people with disabilities or additional learning needs.
-
Preparing for and managing pandemics using mathematical modelling
A mathematical model is helping countries prepare for and manage infectious disease pandemics.
-
Pig vaccine Cysvax prevents a form of epilepsy in humans
Cysvax, a vaccine for pigs, stops the spread of a deadly parasite that is a leading cause of epilepsy in people in the developing world.
-
Making work fairer for millions of workers
The International Labour Organization used evidence from Australian labour reform to help improve work conditions in India.
-
Addressing the global challenge to conserve irrigation water
Rubicon Water’s automated irrigation system saves billions of litres of water each year, helping farmers survive drought and increase crop yields.
-
Improving health and wellbeing through music therapy
Music and singing have the power to change our moods. They can also improve the health and wellbeing of people living with Parkinson’s.
-
Preserving Gallipoli battlefield artefacts and features
Digital archive captures landscape features and artefacts from the 1915 Gallipoli battlefield, providing perspectives from both sides of the World War I campaign.
-
Designing better learning environments
LEaRN is changing the way schools and learning environments are designed, leading to a new peak body and informing government policy.
-
More Australian students studying abroad likely to have flow-on benefits for export education sector
New research has found that more Australian students studying abroad would complement Australia’s high inbound student flows, and, by increased reciprocity, help address perceptions of Australia’s export education sector as highly transactional.
Banner image: “This is my evidence.” Melodie Reynolds plays Caroline Morgan, a witness at the 1881 Parliamentary Inquiry into the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve. Image: Steven Rhall