Science at Melbourne

A childhood fascination with nature, thinking about tiny particles part of something big and finding out how stuff works - these are the ideas that have propelled Professor Nina Wedell, Professor Phillip Urquijo and Professor James Osbourne's big discoveries.

We had the opportunity to hear from these accomplished scientists at our last Science at Melbourne Conversation, moderated by science communicator Alanta Colley. We were also joined by 30 young scientists from our STEM Edge mentoring program. Thank you for coming!

Tap to learn more and watch the full lecture recording ➡️ https://unimelb.me/4hI46eQ

Science at Melbourne Conversations are our quarterly public lecture events. They're free, hybrid and are a great opportunity to meet scientists and science-lovers. Keep an eye out on our social media and Faculty of Science webpage for upcoming lectures.

Could sheep and mulch be the future of agriculture in the Pacific Islands?

Academics from UniMelb (Associate Professor Dorin Gupta, Dr Viliamu Iese and Dr Sineka Munidasa), The University of the South Pacific and Lincoln University, in partnership with MORDI Tonga Trust, have led a three year research project in Samoa and Tonga. Working with farmers, researchers and government, the project draws upon on traditional knowledge, ancestral wisdom and new scientific ideas to farm sustainably and adapt to a changing climate. 

Tap to learn more in Pursuit ➡️ https://unimelb.me/4gz1sqB

Our Show us your Science Image of the Month winner is PhD candidate Pongsathorn Sukdanont (Sam) 👏

Sam is part of the ARC Research Hub for Smart Fertilisers in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences. His research focus is the effects of enhanced efficiency fertilisers on nitrous oxide and ammonia gas emissions in soils.

Before coming to Melbourne, Sam studied and worked in soil science in Thailand and Japan.

Sam's winning photo reflects his passion for agriculture. Snapped in Queensland, a mechanical harvester makes its way through Queensland sugarcane at sunrise.

"The low golden sun backlights the crop and machinery, while dust and cane trash drift into the warm haze," Sam writes in his image statement. "Birds of prey circle overhead, hunting insects and small animals flushed out by the harvesting process."

Congratulations Sam!

The Show us your Science Image competition runs til 30 September. August's theme is: Show us your (Science) Desk. Get submitting and you might win a prize 🥇

Tap to learn more ➡️ https://unimelb.me/4heO35f

Hip hip hooray to our Science, Agriculture and PhD students who graduated this week 🎓 and welcome to the community!

Festival lineup just dropped 🎊 Our Science at Melbourne Festival is on from Monday 10 August until Friday 21 August! We're hosting free interactive events including a hybrid panel discussion with some of our most influential scientists, online Masterclasses and tours. Make sure to check out our partner events too! Tickets are free but registration is essential, and spots are filling up fast! Tap to learn more and register ➡️ https://science.unimelb.edu.au/festival

We made a call out for your rakali sightings to send to Dr Kylie Soanes from the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, and you delivered.

Our newest Map of the Month shows where Melbourne residents have spotted this unique native Aussie rodent. Small but fearless, they live closer to humans and our cities than you would think!

Tap to learn more in Pursuit ➡️ https://unimelb.me/4fLyJ0g

Video credits: Santiago, Andrea from Frankston, Kim from Eltham, Corey from Willamstown
iNaturalist image contributors: Deb Metters, Younis Menkara, Leslie35679, Lataya

From public lectures and masterclasses to lab experiences, games and activities, our Science at Melbourne Festival has something for everyone. And it’s free! Tap to check out the official program and register for events ➡️ https://science.unimelb.edu.au/festival

We've got bad news and good news for our Science at Melbourne Festival. Unfortunately, our Masterclass on horse health has been cancelled. But the good news is that instead we'll be hosting a Masterclass on mosquitoes with researcher and social media star Dr Véronique Paris from the Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research group 🦟 She'll be talking about how mosquitoes spread disease and the unique way she researches them - with a live mosquito feeding 😱 Tap to register ➡️ https://unimelb.me/3RDP2Ej