Hidden cultural treasures now within easy digital reach

The diaries, essays and recordings of one of Australia’s most renowned female pianists are among a treasure trove of cultural curiosities now housed in one digital location – UWA Collected.

[BLOG] AUKUS or ‘AUK’-ward? A Youth Perspective on Australia’s Acquisition of Conventionally-Armed Nuclear-Powered Submarines

The last decade has observed the acceleration of major geopolitical shifts, with the centre of gravity continuously shifting towards the Indo-Pacific. In this rapidly evolving strategic environment, it is clear that distance no longer provides the traditional security and protection it once did for Australian shores. Australia has been forced to reimagine its investments in capabilities and deterrence in order to defend its national interests. A pivotal provision of this is the acquisition of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines, with the guidance and expertise from its ‘best mates’ in the global ‘playground’: the US and UK.

New depth of understanding about how camouflage takes shape

A study led by The University of Western Australia has revealed a tool used by prey to conceal 3D body shapes in nature, providing a different perspective on how camouflage works. “Our work suggests that patterns that interfere with animals’ depth perception could be an intriguing strategy for avoiding predation.” Dr Jennifer Kelley, UWA School of Biological Sciences

Project Highlight: Delivering novel therapeutics to target bio-threat pathogens

DMTC has partnered with the University of Western Australia and Monash University to generate optimised compounds capable of inhibiting multiple bacterial pathogens of interest to Defence. (More details on page 35)

The West Australian | WA must adapt AUKUS, $368b nuclear-powered submarine deal by David Johnston, Professor Gia Parish and Dr Troy Lee-Brown

The Federal Government’s AUKUS nuclear submarine program highlights the growing strategic importance of Perth and WA to the Indo-Pacific region but much more work is needed to address how we meet all the infrastructure and personnel needs.

The Jakarta Post | Tensions in South China Sea continue, but ASEAN successfully resolves maritime disputes by Dr Bec Strating and Dr Troy Lee-Brown

In a flurry of late-April private talks, Filipino diplomats challenged officials from China over the recent pattern of assertive behavior from Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. The behavior by the Chinese included the early-February targeting of a Philippine Coast Guard ship with a military-grade laser near a disputed shoal and in late-March a Chinese vessel purportedly came within 10 meters of a Vietnamese Fisheries Surveillance vessel while inside Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

7 News | Northern Bases Upgrades | Featuring Dr Troy Lee-Brown

Canberra announced it will spend almost $4 billion over the next four years, significantly upgrading Australia's northern bases from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands across to Queensland. They will be fitted out with long-range strike weapons, better runways and security.

Melbourne Asia Review | Lessons from successful maritime dispute resolutions in the Indo-Pacific by Dr Bec Strating and Dr Troy Lee-Brown

The papers in this series Beyond the South China Sea: other maritime disputes in Southeast Asia have highlighted the persistence of ‘lesser-known’ maritime boundary disputes in Southeast Asia. Yet, they also reveal the efforts of regional states to resolve these disputes.

10 News | US plans to deploy Virginia class submarines to WA from 2027 featuring Dr Troy Lee-Brown

They're a frequent sight in WA waters. The US Navy regularly makes friendly visits to HMAS Stirling. But now a leaked report reveals our biggest ally wants to be more permanently based Down Under, with several nuclear-powered Virginia class submarines to be deployed to WA from 2027. "I do think you'll see an increase in US presence, particularly naval presence in Western Australia," says UWA Defence and Security Institute Research Fellow, Dr Troy Lee-Brown."Changes to the wharf would only take a small amount of time, perhaps a year or two," he added.

Defence research leader issues call to arms for women featuring Professor Gia Parish

On the eve of International Women’s Day 2023, the Director of the Defence and Security Institute at The University of Western Australia is encouraging more women to enter the sector to bring the “balance, connectivity and agility” it needs in the face of global uncertainty.