UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, announced the awarded grants of the third round of the Collaboration Program, a jointly financed seed program with the aim to collaborate on research and education projects. The first two cycles of the program provided funding to 34 projects. The two institutions committed these seed funds for a third round, and funded five projects around the topic of Global Challenges or Matters of Bilateral Importance to Australia and the United States.
“The proposed projects show a continuation of both important research and educational activities as well as a noteworthy progression of the highly valued partnership between Monash University and Penn State,” said Andrew Read, interim senior vice president for research. “This program is a good example of ongoing long-term global relationships which bring wide value to our world."
Penn State and Monash University are building on the strong institutional partnership that has linked the universities since 2016 (read more about the Penn State-Monash Partnership). As Alexandra Persiko, associate director for Europe and Oceania partnerships, Penn State Global, noted, “The two universities share extraordinary strategic, research, intellectual and cultural synergies, and it is wonderful to see the high quality of proposals we received.” The five projects foster collaborative, sustainable, self-supporting research programs and integrated educational activities between university programs.
2023-24 Seed-Funded Projects
"Responsible Innovation Network for the Global South (RINGS)" — Lead principal investigators (PIs): Laura Cabrera, associate professor of engineering science and mechanics, and philosophy, (Rock Ethics Institute) and Adrian Carter (Monash University)
"Integrating Deep Learning and Physics-based Modelling for Innovative Landslide Hazard Mapping, Predictions and Mitigation" — Lead PI: Tong Qiu, professor of civil and environmental engineering (College of Engineering)
"Engaging in Intercultural Dialogue to Address Global Challenges: Developing a Toolkit for Capacity Building in Online Intercultural Exchange Programs" — Lead PI: Tiffany MacQuarrie, professor-in-charge of experiential digital global engagement (EDGE) (Penn State Beaver)
"Human Thriving in the Age of AI" — Lead PIs: Andrea Matwyshyn, associate dean for innovation and technology (Penn State Law), and Alexandra Staub, professor of architecture (Rock Ethics Institute)
"Sustainable Community Development, Active Citizenship, and Environmental Ethics: Empowering Marginalized Youth as Agents of Change" — Lead PI: Mark Brennan, professor and UNESCO Chair in Community, Leadership, and Youth Development (College of Agricultural Sciences)
For additional information, please contact Alexandra Persiko, Penn State Global, at axp1225@psu.edu or 1-814-867-5941.