QUT researchers named as finalists for prestigious Eureka Prizes
Leading QUT researchers in the field of engineering are among the 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists.
Considered Australia’s leading science awards, the nominations look to honour excellence across research and innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science.
Associate Professor Aaron McFadyen and Professor Clinton Fookes, both from the QUT School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics, are respectively shortlisted in the categories of Innovative Use of Technology and Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia.
Professor McFadyen is nominated for his collision risk assessment technology – software that has revolutionised the way we analyse, assess and access airspace to make it safer and more efficient.
Endorsed by aviation authorities, and supported by industry partners, his rapid, low-cost risk assessment and map generation software and technologies are being used to automate flight planning, assessment, and the approval of uncrewed – or drone – operations.
Professor McFadyen was awarded the esteemed Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Batterham Medal in 2022 and has received multiple industry innovation awards since. Prior to this, he was recognised through the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Research Award and twice by the Queensland Government’s Advance schemes.
“Drones are the fastest growing aviation sector, and they have huge potential to bring benefit to our society,” Professor McFadyen said.
“One of the problems we’re facing, however, is the fact that they need rapid access and fast approval to enter airspace safely. What we’ve been able to do is create advanced collision risk assessment technology which will help the industry realise the benefits it’s promised.”
Professor Fookes has been shortlisted for his research across vision, signal processing and AI to build new defence capabilities.
He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a multi-award-winning researcher, including an Australian Institute of Policy and Science Young Tall Poppy award, a previous Australian Museum Eureka Prize, Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Award, Australian Defence Scientist of the Year, and a Senior Fulbright Scholar.
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“I work with Rheinmetall, Airbus, Nova Systems, Revolution Aerospace, Shield AI, and the Defence Science and Technology Group to build solutions for human machine teaming, to understand the electromagnetic spectrum, and to build more robust recognition systems so that we can better support the defence force in the field, in the air, or in space,” Professor Fookes said.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are presented annually in partnership with some of the nation’s leading scientific institutions, government organisations, universities and corporations. The Eureka Prizes raise the profile of science and science engagement in the community by celebrating outstanding achievement.
The winners of the 2024 Eureka Prizes will be announced on Wednesday 4 September at a ceremony held at the Australian Museum. A livestream of the awards will also be available online.
