2024 Laureate Profile: Professor Alan Collins

Administering Organisation: The University of Adelaide

Fellowship Project Summary

FL240100114 - Plate Tectonics, Critical Metals and our Habitable Earth

Professor Collins aims to build a dynamic map of the Earth’s surface spanning nearly a third of our planet’s existence, from 1800 to 500 million years ago. The project will reconstruct ancient volcanic regions, deep ocean trenches and ancient mountain belts to generate a digital testable model for how Earth uniquely developed a breathable atmosphere, a benign climate and surface chemistry that nurtured complex life and placed the critical metal resources that are essential for a low carbon economy. Professor Collins’ work will transform fundamental knowledge of the function and evolution of our planet, and key findings will be communicated directly to the broader public and schools through promoted animations, videos and a targeted program of general science outreach. Findings will be shared with Industry and government stakeholders through industry networks, trade and popular publications, and freely available software. The outcomes of this project are expected to provide advanced solutions to benefit industry by mapping times and places in Australia to target critical metal discovery and exploration.   

Australian Research Council Funding: $3,408,000