Every year, the CBCS Small Grant Scheme aims to promote research collaboration, inclusion, mentorship, leadership and teamwork within and beyond CBCS.
The scheme has been extremely successful, funding a range of activities largely led by early career researchers and HDR students. This year we received 11 proposals and, after careful consideration, decided to fund the following seven, presented here in alphabetical order by proposal title.
We can’t wait to see how these exciting activities develop.
Collaborating with Moreton Bay’s commercial fisheries to develop solutions to reduce trawling impacts on threatened biodiversity
Project lead: Leslie Roberson
The proposed workshop aims to address pressing local conservation issues by bringing together industry, government and researchers to take a first step towards finding effective solutions. The workshop aims to: 1) promote collaboration among commercial fishers, industry representatives, researchers and managers to investigate the bycatch issue in Moreton Bay’s prawn trawl fishery; 2) raise awareness of bycatch issues and determine which bycatch species are problematic and when, where and why they are problematic; 3) identify any bycatch reduction strategies that are already used by fishers; 4) discuss potential solutions and next steps required to advance those solutions; and 5) identify opportunities for research collaborations between UQ students and Moreton Bay fisheries, including upcoming funding opportunities.
Conservation visual storytelling and outreach using animation and documentaries workshop
Project lead: Karlina Indraswari
Through two workshops, the first aim of this project is to broaden CBCS knowledge with regards to how visual tools such as animation and documentaries can be used to communicate science, engage the public, and even appeal to donors, increase visibility and changes for successful grant writing. The second aim is to allow CBCS members to have an interactive engagement with experienced animators and film-makers, where members can ask questions, request input, and even potentially develop collaborations with the speakers that can benefit any future needs.
Developing megavertebrate conservation research and teaching at Heron Island
Project lead: Lily Bentley
This workshop will develop a new program of megavertebrate conservation research (and associated teaching activities) at Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef. It will develop a tracking and monitoring program covering sea turtles, seabirds, elasmobranchs and marine mammals. Key objectives include: 1) to identify opportunities for new research and collaboration between UQ marine vertebrate conservation researchers at the Heron Island Research Station; 2) to develop a draft program of work in megavertebrate tracking and monitoring on Heron Island; 3) to identify elements of the research program to develop into teaching and learning activities for undergraduate, visiting international, Honours, Masters and PhD students; and 4) to draft a large bid for central strategic funding to support the project moving forward.
Exchanging experiences in conservation between Mexico and Australia
Project lead: Evelyn Gómez Juárez
The proposed conference will be organised through the coordination of two leading institutions in their countries, The University of Queensland and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The conference will: 1) facilitate a virtual space for an exchange of experiences in diverse areas of conservation between Mexico and Australia; 2) showcase cuttingedge projects in conservation that are creating a high impact in each country; 3) connect researchers and practitioners in conservation of two of the top 10 most biodiverse countries; and 4) break cultural and language barriers to foster communication and collaboration in conservation science.
Nature photography competition to showcase Australian nature and CBCS photographers
Project lead: Christina Zdenek
The objectives of this photography competition within CBCS are not only to showcase Australian wildlife and promote learning about species but also to highlight the photography skills of CBCS members and beautify the indoor common areas in which we work. Such a competition will promote inclusion, leadership, aesthetic decoration beauty and community-building within CBCS.
Synthesising experimental design principles for understanding ecosystem service provision in agricultural landscapes
Project lead: Rhiannon Bird
This project aims to develop experimental design principles for south-east Queensland that are broadly applicable outside our region. The workshop will develop experimental design principles to assess ecosystems services while accounting for confounding factors such as farming practices and landscape context. It will also train ECRs and HDR students in transferable skills, including organising and running a workshop, experimental design, leadership, grant writing, collaborative networking and liaising with people from diverse backgrounds.
Understanding the support needs of multicultural HDR students when studying in Australia
Project lead: Jaramar Villarreal Rosas
This project will collect data to identify gaps in HDR students’ support needs in Australia. This will serve as a baseline to understand the multicultural needs of students and tailor support systems accordingly. As an outcome, the project will propose a framework for university departments for the implementation of multicultural support system programs for HDR students.
Teaser image: Mexican–Australian collaboration is the goal of the project led by Evelyn Gómez Juárez.
Image above: Precision agriculture in Australia, the theme of the project led by Rhiannon Bird. Photo: CSIRO
