University of Tasmania

With more people joining Bluesky we'd love to connect our community: go.bsky.app/Ds5rSze 👋

As southern right whale numbers grow, mothers are increasingly choosing nursing grounds where other whales gather. @imas-utas.bsky.social research reveals a shift in how they select sites to raise their calves, with implications for understanding whale behaviour: utas.au/bsky2710

Bushfire preparedness starts before an emergency. Resilient Street is a free app helping households prepare with checklists and reminders. It grew from UTAS PhD research by Andrew Orange into how digital tools can help communities prepare for natural hazards: utas.au/bsky2310

Our researcher Dr Gabi Mocatta will co-lead a new international, open-access journal examining disinformation and its impact on climate change, health, elections and conflict. Launching in January 2027, it will bring together research from around the world. For more information: utas.au/1510

Our researchers are calling for a shift in how ocean alkalinity enhancement is approached. Rather than relying on large-scale geoengineering, the research explores how enhancing seawater’s natural alkalinity could provide a more practical way to remove CO₂ locally: utas.au/bs0810

New research from the University of Tasmania’s @menzies-research.bsky.social has found that fitter children and adolescents were less likely to develop depression as adults, highlighting the potential long-term benefits of fitness in early life: utas.au/bsky0510

Congratulations to Law Professor Jeff McGee, awarded a $1.27m ARC Future Fellowship. His 4-year project will explore how Antarctic governance can respond to climate change and rising geopolitical tensions: utas.au/2909

University of Tasmania astrophysicist Dr Karelle Siellez is bringing her national lecture tour home to Tasmania. After visiting schools across the state, she'll conclude with a free public lecture the University’s Sandy Bay campus on 1 October. utas.au/DrKarelleSie...

From research voyages to Antarctica, Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science student Neve Clippingdale has gained hands-on experience in some of the world's most important environments. Read her story: utas.au/NeveClipping...

University of Tasmania PhD candidate Thomas Plunkett helped confirm two giant planets using observations from Greenhill Observatory in Tasmania’s Midlands, marking a milestone for Tasmanian astronomy: utas.au/bs1509

CAPSTAN is taking its sea-training program overseas for the first time, helping to shape the next generation of marine experts 20 university students from across Australia will travel aboard @csiro.bsky.social research vessel Investigator, gaining hands-on marine research experience: utas.au/kj

🎶 Big news for PALENCIA! The folk trio, made up of Bachelor of Music students, has won the 2026 Ossa Music Prize. They’ll use the $6,000 prize and touring financial support of up to $8,500 to take their distinctive sound to communities across regional Tasmania: utas.au/ossaprize2026

For those interested in the Wilkes Subglacial Basin or Antarctic Ice Sheet comms in general, I made some visualisations that may be useful. All are from code and traceable to the data. First, an overview of the system. Full video and metadata: youtu.be/kzpCeVsNNwU

A placement with Huon Valley Council showed ICT graduate Juman how tech skills can help tackle environmental challenges. From streamlining processes to supporting environmental management, he discovered the impact digital innovation can have in the community. utas.au/JumanPlacement

Congratulations to @menzies-research.bsky.social researcher Professor Kathryn Burdon on receiving a national award for graduate research leadership. Recognised for championing student-centred research, she has led excellent reforms and strengthened mentoring for researchers: utas.au/ProfBurdonAw...

A University of Tasmania and Royal Hobart Hospital partnership has found adenosine can remain stable for up to seven weeks when prepared under controlled conditions, supporting the potential use of ready-to-use syringes in cardiac care: utas.au/bs0109

@imas-utas.bsky.social researchers have developed new advanced ocean modelling tool that show how larval journeys shape the future of Australia’s Southern Rock Lobster and Longspined Sea Urchin populations. This tool will help safeguard our fisheries and marine ecosystems: utas.au/k2

How can Hobart become more climate-ready? This National Science Week, UTAS researchers are working with communities to better understand climate risks and help build a more resilient future for Tasmania. Read more: utas.au/SW2026

Southern Rock Lobsters could soon have their own digital fingerprints. Researchers at IMAS have developed AI that identifies individual lobsters from photos, opening new possibilities for tracking populations, understanding movements and supporting sustainable fisheries. utas.au/rocklobster

Developed by @imas-utas.bsky.social, the Reef Life Explorer tool will now integrate global, long-term reef monitoring data from over 4,800 sites. Examining ecological trends has never been easier and is now accessible to anyone: utas.au/jX

Congratulations to our 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prize finalists! @eurekaprizes.bsky.social A/Prof. Quan Bai and Prof. Jane Alty have been named finalists in Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research, while Prof. Melissa Hart is a finalist for Outstanding Mentor of Researchers.

More than a decade of research into a second contagious cancer affecting Tasmanian devils suggests the disease is spreading more slowly than scientists first feared. Stable populations indicate Tasmanian devils may have a greater capacity to coexist with the disease: utas.au/jF

The wait for PFAS test results could soon be measured in hours, not days. Our researchers have successfully trialled a mobile laboratory that can detect "forever chemicals" in soil and water on site, providing an early indication of contamination within six hours: utas.au/PFAS_testing

🌊 New Antarctic research shows the deepest layer of the Southern Ocean – Antarctic Bottom Water, or AABW – is shrinking faster than scientists realised, with the rate of change accelerating over the past decade. This is important because we all depend on it. ▶️ aappartnership.org.au/antarctic-ch...

Australia’s reefs are under pressure from the voracious crown-of-thorns starfish and long-spined sea urchins. However, our new study shows that while they present high but differing risks, investing in control programs and innovative research could help tackle these two prickly problems: utas.au/jl

Extreme heat, heavy rain and storm surges are affecting Australian seals and seabirds during a critical period of their development: as pups and chicks. ⛈️ New research shows that high-resolution weather and population monitoring can help us better protect them. More: utas.au/SealsSeabirds

A new @imas-utas.bsky.social monitoring report shows that Maugean skate juveniles in Macquarie Harbour have now reached adulthood and offering hope for the future of this unique, endangered Tasmanian species. Read more: utas.au/j9

Species discovery has always depended on the tools available. Early naturalists relied on what they could collect. Today, whole genomes tell us if animals have different coding. Recognising “hidden biodiversity” in this way helps us ask better questions in the face of climate change: utas.au/JY

Endangered Antarctic fur seals may all look alike, but a new study reveals that individual seals adopt dramatically different foraging strategies to survive in a changing ocean. The research, led by @imas-utas.bsky.social, draws on a study of 80 female seals at Marion Island 🦭 More: utas.au/seals

Why should fishers trust science, when it's never certain? Professor Gretta Pecl from @imas-utas.bsky.social says uncertainty is a normal part of science – reflecting how confident we are in the evidence – and shouldn't stand in the way of making informed decisions for the future. More: utas.au/SCA

❄️ Ever wondered how to become an ice-core technician? Let Chelsea Long tell you her way — and how it led to a PhD project @utas.edu.au

Seagrass specialist Liz from @utas.edu.au shares their wish for the ocean And it involves long-term thinking #MakeAWishOnAFish

Using old satellite radar techniques, scientists have developed a new way of measuring the true extent of Antarctica’s dynamic Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ). Dr Alec Fraser from @antarctic.bsky.social says their findings provide a more realistic picture of how the system works. 🌊 More: utas.au/MIZ

New research from Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour shows that oxygen can be added to low-oxygen waters at depth without adverse impacts. The research comes amid interest in low oxygen levels, which are linked to concerns about potential impacts on the endangered Maugean Skate: utas.au/MacquarieHar...

With Southern calamari numbers falling in parts of Tasmania, @imas-utas.bsky.social scientists are diving into how environment and fishing pressure shape spawning over the next three years, helping keep calamari thriving in Tasmanian waters: utas.au/iX

👏 Congratulations to ACEAS Chief Investigator, Associate Professor @jaxhalpin.bsky.social from @imas-utas.bsky.social at @utas.edu.au, who has recently been awarded the Max R. Banks Medal by the Royal Society of Tasmania. Learn more ▶️ antarctic.org.au/aceas-chief-...

Global wheat production is under threat of heat stress due to climate change. Abu, PhD candidate at @tia.utas.edu.au, has received a prestigious Grains Research and Development Corporation Research Scholarship to support his research into improving heat tolerance of the important grain: utas.au/Abu

Antarctica’s icy surface may look hostile and devoid of life, but the sea floor below is extremely biodiverse. A new digital mapping platform from @imas-utas.bsky.social is making data about the remote continent more accessible for scientists, policy makers, educators and the community: utas.au/Sea

“We talk about the kitchen as the heart of the home, but actually we've been designing the heart out of it for a long time.” Caroline had been an interior designer for 30 years before beginning a PhD on the re-use of materials with a focus on kitchens and their social value: utas.au/Kitchens

Marine scientist Lara Denis-Roy snapped this big-belly seahorse while diving in Bicheno, Tasmania as part of her PhD research at IMAS @imas-utas.bsky.social. "I appreciate that I am able to directly observe the reefs that I study," she said. Read about Lara’s eDNA work here: utas.au/LD

🔥Fuel on the fire: How the Iran War is affecting Tasmania 🔥 Topical new PIMBY! We break down the impact of rising fuel prices on Tasmanian households and key industries. #Tasmania #EnergyMarkets #EnergySecurity #FuelCrisis #costofliving #FuelPrices #Freight #politas tinyurl.com/v2axbuw3

How did Earth’s most powerful ocean current form? New research led by Hanna Knahl from @awi.de, with colleagues including ACEAS Research Associate Dr @hochmuth.bsky.social from @utas.edu.au, has revealed a surprising finding. Learn more: www.awi.de/en/about-us/...

The emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal are now officially endangered. Researchers at IMAS @imas-utas.bsky.social say a fast reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and sustained conservation action are needed to give these beloved species a future. Read more: utas.au/emperorpenguin

A new study from the University of Tasmania's Fire Centre finds that logged forests burn more severely in a bushfire than old growth. Researchers used a natural experiment to provide the strongest evidence yet on a question with real consequences for how the state manages its forests: utas.au/lf

Himanshu's PhD at @menzies-research.bsky.social explores what rare genetic differences can tell us about multiple sclerosis. His studies combine family-based research with large-scale ANZgene data, helping to build a clearer picture of how MS develops and strengthen foundations for future research 👏

We’re proud to recognise PhD student Mohammed Obsa, who is helping us better understand pain in people living with MS. Originally from Ethiopia, Mohammed has adapted to a new research environment at @menzies-research.bsky.social and bases his work on national data and real-life experiences.

As the planet warms, how can fisheries tackle invasive species? A new study by international researchers, including Dr John Keane from IMAS @imas-utas.bsky.social, provides a practical guide for fishery managers worldwide. Read more: utas.au/InvasiveSpec...

A new study by Dr David Green draws on more than 20 years of data from over 600 elephant seals. It offers insights into how seals make decisions underwater and how scientists can interpret seals' behaviour to detect ocean ecosystem change. More: utas.au/ElephantSeal antarcticsciaus.bsky.social

A rogue Longspined sea urchin has been discovered in Tasmania’s remote southwest waters, marking the most westerly sighting of the species in the state. Read more: utas.au/LonelyUrchin

Yesterday #Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientists from @utas.edu.au and @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social chatted with Tasmanian politicians from all levels of government and across the political spectrum about 'Why Antarctica Matters for Tasmania.' ▶️ aappartnership.org.au/tasmania-uni...

It has been a great pleasure to welcome Dan Preston to @utas.edu.au today on the *first* leg of his RACI Alan Sargeson Lectureship Tour. It's been great to catch up with Dan and to hear more about recent results in metallosupramolecular cages. #OzChem