Monash University Secures Four Grants for Collaborative Research Projects to Advance Sustainable Development in Indonesia
Monash University has been involved in four collaborative research projects with Indonesia that have received grants as part of the KONEKSI (Knowledge Partnership Platform Australia – Indonesia) flagship program.
The KONEKSI flagship program aims to facilitate an enduring relationship between Indonesia and Australia to support Indonesia’s inclusive and sustainable development.
The collaborative research grants are funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for five years between 2023 to 2027.
This year the Government of Australia and Government of Indonesia jointly agreed on the theme of Environment and Climate Change with a focus on policy- and innovation-related research related to climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and resilience.
Below are the four projects that Monash is involved in:
Empowering women in mitigating climate change impacts on health
This project aims to address the impacts of climate change on the health of women and children through nursing expertise and qualitative methods. The research will amplify diverse women’s experiences to enable inclusive policy relevant information on how to protect health from increasing climate-change-related pressures.
Building a model of future-proofing for climate resilience by engaging communities in eastern Indonesia
This project aims to develop a Model of Future-proofing for Climate Resilience by Engaging Communities (MOFCREC) to support vulnerable groups including people with disabilities, diverse women and older people in eastern Indonesia. It aims to achieve this through deep community engagement facilitated through co-design processes.
Indonesia-Australia Citarum Action Research Program circular economy transitions for resilient climate and environmental futures
This project aims to develop novel approaches in the field of integrated waste to achieve zero plastic waste discharge into the Citarum River through transdisciplinary expertise and community-led decision making. The knowledge gained from this project can then be used to inform strategies for addressing river pollution in the Citarum basin and other rivers in Southeast Asia.
Agricultural productivity, poverty, and the environment
This project aims to consider whether improved agricultural technologies and increased farmer productivity can reduce harmful environmental externalities, such as deforestation, fire and pollution. These findings will create a framework to inform how agricultural productivity can be promoted.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rebekah Brown, said Monash researchers have expertise in delivering impactful outcomes in international research projects.
“These projects bring together Monash and Indonesian researchers from a diverse range of faculties, centres and institutes to deliver research impact in the important areas of climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience for Indonesia’s future.”
“Monash has a campus in Indonesia and is committed to growing research in partnership. We welcome the opportunity to work with one of our closest neighbours to advance sustainable living for the Indonesian community. Congratulations to all the researchers involved in this fantastic achievement.”