University receives $4 million for data science research
Professor Sally Cripps says the research team will use data to carve an evidence-based approach to harnessing and stewarding the nation鈥檚 natural resources and environment.聽
The Australian government has announced the University of Sydney will receive almost $4 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) funding for the development of data science skills for the mining industry.
Research activity at the University of Sydney will be led by Director, Professor , and will focus on data analytics related to the long-term impact of resource use on Australia鈥檚 economy, society and environment.
Researchers will help develop the necessary data science skills for Australia鈥檚 resource industries to make the best possible evidence-based decisions when using our natural resources.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal welcomed the research investment and collaboration.
鈥淭he University of Sydney has long been committed to undertaking world-class research to support Australia鈥檚 resource sector,鈥� said Dr Spence.
鈥淎s an asset-rich nation, Australia continues to play a leading role in delivering the world鈥檚 essential resources, however to maintain that position, it is important we invest in transformative technologies and collaborative research,鈥� he said.
鈥淣ew approaches to data analysis will allow for an improved understanding of how the resource sector can mitigate risk and impact, while in turn preparing Australia鈥檚 resource economy for a long-term approach to resources and mining.鈥�
Funding to establish data science centre
The $4 million ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre grant will go towards establishing an $11 million data science centre to support the management of Australia鈥檚 natural resources.
The Data Analytics for Resources and Environments Centre (DARE) will enable researchers to apply their data science models against real world challenges, such as water storage, and the extraction of mineral resources.
鈥淭he aim of DARE is to make the best possible evidence-based decisions in聽harnessing and stewarding the nation鈥檚 natural resources and environment. There has never been a better, or more important time, to rethink the way we do this,鈥� said Professor Sally Cripps.
鈥淲e have seen some of the most challenging conditions in Australia with drought causing untold heartache for famers and testing conditions for the management of water supplies everywhere,鈥� she said.
鈥淭he management of all natural resources face the common central issue of how data is exploited to build predictive and integrated models which can be used to make economic and sustainable decisions in the face of high levels of uncertainty.鈥�
A collaboration between "research and industry"
The funding is part of a broader $7.67 million investment, which will also be used to fund a centre at the University of Adelaide that will focus on product quality and maximise resource recovery in the mining industry.
鈥淲e need to ensure that we are turning our research into because Australia鈥檚 world-leading research sector will be a key driver of jobs and productivity,鈥� said Minister for Education, Dan Tehan.
鈥淲hen we get collaboration between research and industry right, the benefits are unambiguous," he said.
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the funding would help keep Australia鈥檚 resources sector at the top of its research game.
鈥淎 key part of last year鈥檚 National Resources Statement was to better focus the sector鈥檚 innovation and R&D on long-term, sectoral growth. These new centres will dovetail in with those plans,鈥� Minister Canavan said.
鈥淲e are blessed with abundant, high quality resources such as coal, iron ore and gas which return billions to our economy each year. Demand for the minerals that drive modern technologies, like lithium, rare earths, nickel and cobalt, is also surging,鈥� he concluded.
