eResearch Newsletter August 2026

Dear Alex, here is the Australasian eResearch Newsletter.

Australasian eResearch Newsletter - August 2026

Message from AeRO:

Join us at the eResearch Australasia 2026 Conference, taking place 26-30 October 2026 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Marking its 20th anniversary, this year’s conference is themed, “Celebrating our Past - Shaping our Future”, reflecting on two decades of progress while looking ahead to the next era of eResearch.

We have already announced two of the outstanding keynote Speakers at the Conference, Professor Ross King and Dr Stephanie Carroll, with features appearing in the body of this Newsletter.

The Program Committee is working hard on the Program, with a record number of quality submissions this year. It hopes to release the Program on the website shortly.

Conference website (program coming soon) at: https://conference.eresearch.edu.au/.

Alex Reid, Newsletter Editor.

CONTENTS:
* Qˣ - Queensland's Advanced Technologies Future 2026: 18-Aug.
* Quantum Technology and Its Impact on AI and ML: 21-Aug.
* WHPC+ at RSAA: 25-Aug.
* Collaborative Power of a Research Data Commons: LDaCA: 27-Aug.
* Text Analytics Without Code: LDaCA Wordflow: 28-Aug.
* From Data to Discovery: Enabling Impactful Health Research: 31-Aug.
* Data Engineering: the Unsung Hero in Enabling FAIR Data Platforms: 2-Sep.
* The Data Movers Lab: Globus and FileSender Clinics: 4-Sep.
* Aotearoa New Zealand Research Software Conference: 7-Sep.
* Training: Working with Containers on Setonix: 22-Sep.
* Call for Applications to NCMAS 2027: by 2-Oct.
* Pawsey Partner Allocation Scheme is open for 2027: by 2-Oct.
* Training: Pawsey HIP Workshop: 20-Oct.
* eResearch Conference Keynote Spotlight, Dr Carroll: 27-Oct.
* eResearch Conference Keynote Spotlight, Professor King: 27-Oct.
* Finalists Announced for 2026 ARDC Eureka Prize for Data Platforms.
* How Modelling Tools Could Help Stop the Next Animal Disease Outbreak.
* Skills and Infrastructure Accelerate Ecoacoustics Research.
* QCIF Digital Research Wins Queensland iAward for Taxodactyl.
* EcoCommons Nominated for Australian Museum Eureka Prize.
* Global R&E Partners Renew Cyber Threat Sharing Agreement.
* Launching an Exhibition of ten CD-ROM Artworks from the 1990s.
* Google Digital Future Initiative.

Qˣ - Queensland's Advanced Technologies Future 2026: 18-Aug

The Qx Summit returns on Tuesday 18 August, bringing together Queensland’s quantum and advanced technology community to explore the theme “Make it in Queensland”, showcasing real-world quantum applications, local capability and innovation.

Danny will share how QCIF Digital Research is linking vocational training with higher education to create a skills pathway into Queensland's quantum and advanced technology sector.

Date: Tuesday 18 August
Time: 8:45 am-5:45 pm (AEST)
Location: The Precinct, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane (online and in-person)
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/q-or-queensland-s-advanced-technologies-future-2026.

Quantum Technology and Its Impact on AI and Machine Learning: 21-Aug

Join ARDC and QCIF Digital Research to explore how quantum computing is reshaping artificial intelligence, machine learning and data security.

ML4AU provides an opportunity for anyone interested in ML for research to collaborate over the emerging needs for ML capabilities and expertise in digital research.

21 August, 11 am AEST, online.

For more information and to register: https://ardc.edu.au/event/machine-learning-community-of-practice-ml4au-meeting-august-2026-quantum-technology-and-its-impact-on-ai-and-machine-learning/.

WHPC+ at RSAA: 25-Aug

WHPC+ will be at the Research Software Asia Australia Conference (RSAA) for a second year, under the heading Making Space: Celebrating people and diversity in Research Software.

Tuesday 25 August, 13:45 - 14:45 AEST

First part: two lightning talks from WHPC+ Chapter community members, sharing current work in the research software space:
Anjusree Karnavar: PhD student, Griffith’s University
Gayatri Aniruddha: Associate lecturer, University of Western Australia

Second part: an open discussion around actionable steps our communities can take to create a more diverse and supportive ecosystem for people working in research software.

Full Programme at: https://rseaa.org/program and to Register: https://events.humanitix.com/equersa-2026.

The Collaborative Power of a Research Data Commons: LDaCA Case Studies: 27-Aug

HASS researchers are invited to explore the benefits of a research data commons through 4 case studies from the Language Data Commons of Australia (LDaCA), emphasising the importance of people. This is the first webinar of our new series designed for HASS research.

27 August, 2 pm AEST, online.

For more information and to register: https://ardc.edu.au/event/the-collaborative-power-of-a-research-data-commons-ldaca-case-studies/.

Text Analytics Without Code: LDaCA Wordflow: 28-Aug

Join a guided tour of point-and-click text analysis, followed by a hands-on workshop with the new GenAI Annotation tool.

28 August, 11 am and 2pm AEST, online.

For more information and to register: https://ardc.edu.au/event/text-analytics-without-code-ldaca-wordflow/.

From Data to Discovery: Enabling Impactful Health Research: 31-Aug

Join QCIF Digital Research on Monday 31 August to learn how health researchers and practitioners can access expertise and digital infrastructure to accelerate data-driven health research. The webinar will highlight support available for study design, statistical and bioinformatics analysis, grant applications, training and access to national computing infrastructure, and will feature a case study from Dr Akmez Latona (Queensland Health and LifeFlight) in collaboration with the QCIF Statistics team that improved emergency department care for patients with chronic liver disease.

Date: Monday 31 August
Time: 12:30 pm-1:30 pm (AEST)
Location: Online webinar

Register: https://events.humanitix.com/lunchtime-series-enabling-impactful-health-research-with-qcif-digital-research.

Data Engineering: the Unsung Hero in Enabling FAIR Data Platforms: 2-Sep

This webinar will cover key concepts in managing the end to end flow of data, and hear what considerations and choices are essential to achieving a robust system that supports data provenance, governance, and reproducibility. Dr Joshua Harris, Data Engineer, Human Genome Informatics, Australian BioCommons, will provide a live end to end demonstration of how to build and operate a data pipeline for Gen3 in AWS, using a test data commons that Australian BioCommons has been building with health, research and data infrastructure collaborators.

2 September 2026, 1 - 3 pm AEST.

Register here: https://unimelb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1nQZlTspQQmdNsR5xJUJ0Q.

The Data Movers Lab: Globus and FileSender Clinics: 4-Sep

This is a monthly online drop-in session for anyone working with Globus and FileSender through AARNet.

These informal, community-driven sessions provide a relaxed space to explore research data movement challenges, exchange ideas, and learn from shared experiences. Staff from the AARNet Digital Research Team are available to share knowledge and help participants make the most of these data movement services.

All levels of expertise are welcome, and sessions may occasionally focus on specific themes based on community feedback.

Find out more or register at https://aarnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/JF_qcJuQRrizRJEx5DMLlQ.

Aotearoa New Zealand Research Software Conference: 7-Sep

The Aotearoa New Zealand Research Software (NZRS) Conference returns in 2026, happening online on 7-8 September. This is a free online conference.

The conference features an engaging programme that showcases the tools, approaches, challenges, and opportunities involved in writing code and developing applications that support research.

This year’s conference will take place on 7 – 8 September 2026.

Research software plays a vital role in advancing academic and scientific work, driving innovation across disciplines. This conference provides a platform to share ideas, explore techniques, and build collaboration in an open and supportive environment.

Conference website and to register: https://www.rseconference.nz/.

Training: Working with Containers on Setonix: 22-Sep

Designed for new and existing HPC users, this introductory course introduces the concepts, tools, and workflows for developing, running, and sharing containerized applications. This session, run by Pawsey’s Alexis Espinosa Gayosso and Victor Olet, is intended for researchers who would like to begin using containers in their computational workflows.

Date: 22–23 September 2026
Location: Online

Book a spot: https://pawsey.org.au/events/working-with-containers-on-setonix-22-23-september-2026.

Call for Applications to NCMAS 2027: by 2-Oct

The National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme (NCMAS) is Australia’s premiere grant scheme for access to High Performance Computing (HPC) resources.

The two Tier-1 HPC facilities in Australia, NCI and Pawsey, together offer hundreds of millions of hours of computing time to meritorious researchers.

NCMAS provides access, based on research and computational merit, for researchers at Australian universities and publicly funded research agencies, to resources at the major national HPC facilities.

NCMAS supports HPC simulations, data processing and AI/ML. Quantum computing is also available via Setonix-Q – a portal for Australian researchers to run hybrid quantum–classical workflows.

Apply here: https://pawsey.org.au/call-for-applications-to-ncmas-2027.

Pawsey Partner Allocation Scheme is open for 2027: by 2-Oct

The Pawsey Partner Scheme supports the Pawsey partner institutions: CSIRO, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. The scheme provides significant amounts of compute time for meritorious projects led by researchers from these institutions.

Western Australian Government Agencies conducting research or development are also eligible to access Pawsey services under the Partner Share.

The Pawsey Partner Allocation Scheme supports HPC simulations, data processing and AI/ML.

Apply here: https://pawsey.org.au/pawsey-partner-allocation-scheme-is-open-for-2027.

Training: Pawsey HIP Workshop: 20-Oct

Join Pawsey to build essential skills in developing Heterogeneous Interface for Portability (HIP) applications, led by Toby Potter. HIP provides a programming framework for harnessing the compute capabilities of multicore processors such as the MI250X GPU on Pawsey’s Setonix supercomputer. The focus is on supercomputing generally and specifically with Setonix.

Date: 20-21 October 2026.
Location: Online

Book a spot: https://pawsey.org.au/events/pawsey-hip-workshop-20-21-october-2026.

eResearch Conference Keynote Spotlight, Dr Carroll: 27-Oct

Dr Stephanie Russo Carroll, a Trailblazer in Indigenous Data Sovereignty, joins eResearch Australasia 2026.

Dr Stephanie Russo Carroll is our first keynote speaker for the eResearch Australasia 2026 Conference.

Dr Carroll is a trailblazing Indigenous scholar and leader advancing Indigenous Data Sovereignty and ethical data governance.

An Ahtna citizen of the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah in Alaska, Dr Carroll is an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona and a driving force behind efforts to ensure Indigenous communities have authority over their data, knowledge, and research.

Conference website (program coming soon) at: https://conference.eresearch.edu.au/.

eResearch Conference Keynote Spotlight, Professor King: 27-Oct

AeRO is delighted to announce that Professor Ross D King will be joining our program to share his pioneering work at the intersection of AI and scientific discovery.

Ross D King is one of the most experienced AI researchers in Europe. He has joint positions at the University of Cambridge (Biotechnology), and is Professor of Machine Intelligence at Chalmers Institute of Technology, Sweden.

His main research interest is AI for science. He originated the idea of a ‘Robot Scientist’ (also known as self-driving lab): integrating AI and laboratory robotics to physically implement closed-loop scientific discovery.

Conference website (program coming soon) at: https://conference.eresearch.edu.au/.

Finalists Announced for 2026 ARDC Eureka Prize for Data Platforms

Three finalists have been announced for the inaugural ARDC-sponsored Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Platforms.

For more information: https://ardc.edu.au/article/finalists-announced-for-2026-ardc-eureka-prize-for-data-platforms/.

How Modelling Tools Could Help Stop the Next Animal Disease Outbreak

As global trade, travel and climate pressures increase the risk of animal disease outbreaks, Australia needs more effective ways to respond to emerging biosecurity threats. The ARDC-supported HASTE project is developing practical modelling tools for government and industry to support faster, more informed biosecurity responses across Australia.

For more information: https://ardc.edu.au/case-study/how-modelling-tools-could-help-stop-the-next-animal-disease-outbreak/.

Skills and Infrastructure Accelerate Ecoacoustics Research

Bridging the Digital Divide: ARDC Skills and Infrastructure Accelerate Ecoacoustics Research.
Combining powerful digital infrastructure with targeted skills training is helping Australian researchers harness the potential of large-scale biodiversity monitoring.

For more information: https://ardc.edu.au/case-study/how-modelling-tools-could-help-stop-the-next-animal-disease-outbreak/.

QCIF Digital Research Wins Queensland iAward for Taxodactyl

QCIF has won the Not-for-Profit / Community Award at the Queensland iAwards for its work on Taxodactyl, a modular, reproducible Nextflow workflow for the conservative taxonomy assignment of DNA sequences, designed to deliver high-confidence, auditable results in biosecurity contexts.

Developed and co-funded in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Australian BioCommons, the award recognises the outstanding work of QCIF’s teams, including Cameron Hyde (QCIF/Australian BioCommons), Magdalena Antczak (QCIF/Australian BioCommons), Daisy Li (QCIF), Sarah Williams (QCIF/Australian BioCommons) and Claire Herne (QCIF) to address a critical national need.

Full story: https://lnkd.in/gRKJxnpb.
Access Taxodactyl: https://lnkd.in/g2f5VMBw.

EcoCommons Nominated for Australian Museum Eureka Prize

EcoCommons Australia has been nominated for an Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the inaugural Excellence in Data Platforms category, recognising its role in advancing scientific research for conservation.

Developed as a national digital research infrastructure platform, EcoCommons brings together environmental data, analytical workflows and modelling capabilities in a collaborative online environment, helping researchers, environmental managers and decision-makers tackle some of Australia’s most complex ecological and environmental challenges.
Read full story: https://www.qcif.edu.au/news/ecocommons-nominated-for-australian-museum-eureka-prize-.

Global Research and Education Partners Renew Cyber Threat Sharing Agreement

Global partners in research and education cyber security have renewed their shared commitment to collective cyber defence, signing an updated Global Cyber Threat Sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement brings together AARNet in Australia, CANARIE in Canada, Jisc in the United Kingdom, REN-ISAC/OmniSOC in the United States, and welcomes REANNZ of New Zealand as a new signatory.

The renewed MoU strengthens international collaboration aims to help protect the global research and education sector against a continually evolving cyber threat landscape.

Find out more at: https://www.aarnet.edu.au/global-research-and-education-partners-renew-cyber-threat-sharing-agreement.

Launching an Exhibition of ten CD-ROM Artworks from the 1990s

Ten Australian CD-ROM artworks from the 1990s are being showcased in a new online exhibition, “Revisiting Australian CD-ROM Art from the 1990s”, curated by Professor Melanie Swalwell (Swinburne University) and Dr Helen Stuckey (RMIT).

The exhibition gives audiences a chance to experience works that have become inaccessible on modern computers by using emulation technology to recreate their original operating environments. Access is provided through Emulation as a Service Infrastructure (EaaSI), which is hosted in Australia by AARNet, supporting the preservation and accessibility of digital cultural heritage.

Find out more at: https://www.aarnet.edu.au/launching-an-exhibition-of-ten-cd-rom-artworks-from-the-1990s.

Google Digital Future Initiative

As part of its Digital Future Initiative, Google Australia is looking for purpose centered organisations (non-profits, government or even certified B Corps) that can achieve significant Australian impact using novel Google technologies. If you have an idea for a high impact project with a clear pathway for achieving that impact and need extra support to get it off the ground, we’d love to hear from you.

We are seeking unsolicited expressions of interest via this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmueGNfOOZoFdVsN3woUjEXQhwsbcaaAUyfPcLmaxVfugMOw/viewform.

Contributions

This newsletter is based on contributions from members of the eResearch community, and draws on news articles and newsletters published across the sector. The Newsletter is published around the 16th of each month. Please send all contributions (max. 100 words + link + image) or pointers to any other relevant articles or newsletters to editor@aero.edu.au.
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Thanks, Alex Reid, AeRO Newsletter Editor.

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