Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Science to help communities prepare for climate change risks

18 October 2022  

Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Science to help communities prepare for climate change risks 

 

Yesterday Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, formally launched the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), which is receiving $20 million in research funding over four years under ARC’s Special Research Initiative (SRI).   

The Centre is a consortium of eight Australian universities led by the University of Tasmania and in partnership with academia and industry, will prepare communities around the world for future climate change risks, such as sea levels rising from East Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.   

Ms Zielke said that this Centre is an integral part of contributing to the Australian Government’s Antarctic science priority research themes that span across Climate Processes and Change, Environmental Change and Conservation, and Frontier Science.  

“As Australia and other nations move toward net zero emissions, ACEAS will help form a better understanding of the tipping points in the Antarctic region that can have significant consequences if they are not addressed,” Ms Zielke said.  

“The research outcomes of ACEAS will contribute to improving projects on future climate change impacts in Antarctica, Australia, and around the world, and will become a driving force behind domestic and international policy-informing and decision-making processes.” 

The Centre is preparing the next generation of Antarctic, climate and ocean scientists for varied careers across academia, government and industry, by ensuring they are job-ready in research evidence related areas such as policy, governance and legislation.  

           

Media contact:  

ARC Communications 0412 623 056 or communications@arc.gov.au