Big Science Pitch 2023

Hosted by the Faculty of Science, join six of The University of Melbourne’s leading emerging researchers pitch their big ideas to an expert panel of judges for the chance to win research funding from the Native Australian Animals Trust.

What is the buzz about Sugarbag Bees, and do Green Christmas beetles hold a secret that could prevent excessive heating in our cities? Can extreme corals adapt to climate change, and how can we promote better growth and survival in native shellfish? How does weather affect the breeding biology of superb fairy-wrens and are some fish braver than others when it comes to using fishways?

With just three minutes to sell their idea, the competitors need to convince the judges, the public, and author Tim Winton that their project is most worthy to receive funding from the Native Australian Animals Trust.

An expert panel chooses the overall winner, and there is $10,000 up for grabs for the People’s Choice award, and a further $10,000 ‘Winton’s Choice’ award for the project chosen by Tim Winton, patron of the Native Australian Animals Trust.