iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 05/10/2026

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

Dr Kylie Smith and Dr Brooklyn Fraser in an exercise lab.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 30/09/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 28/09/2026

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...

Dr Karelle Siellez in action in the landscape.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 24/09/2026

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...

Neve Clippingdale standing in Antarctica smiling to camera.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 21/09/2026

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

Harlingten 50cm telescope. Photo credit: Bryn Emptage

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 18/09/2026

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

CAPSTAN students and trainers aboard RV Investigator during Brisbane to Fiji voyage CSIRO

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 16/09/2026

🎶 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

Bachelor of Music students Amity Hutton, Emily Oates and Christian Palencia

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 14/09/2026

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

Juman Ashfi in lake on his placement with the Huon Valley Council.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 11/09/2026

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...

Professor Kathryn Burdon from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 03/09/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 27/08/2026

@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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 21/08/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 14/08/2026

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

Dr Dean Giosio, Professor Quinn Fitzgibbon and Dr Tara Kelly with a Southern Rock Lobster.

Researcher with a Southern Rock Lobster.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 07/08/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 29/07/2026

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.

Professor Melissa Hart looking at camera.

Associate Professor Quan Bai and Professor Jane Alty sitting at a table with laptop.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 24/07/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 22/07/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 03/07/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 23/06/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 22/06/2026

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

Dr Bailee Woolley releasing a Maugean skate back into the water.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 17/06/2026

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

A flock of penguins on an Antarctic ice sheet with the ocean in the background

Three gentoo penguins on rocky Antarctic terrain

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 16/06/2026

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

Fur seal pups sitting on a grassy field with mountains in the background

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 15/06/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 01/06/2026

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

Broken sea ice stretching to the horizon under a cloudy sky

A 2D image showing the extent of Antarctica's sea-ice system, including stationary landfast ice and drifting pack ice, surrounded by the Marginal Ice Zone

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 25/05/2026

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...

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 21/05/2026

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

A few calamari swimming in the deep ocean

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 18/05/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 15/05/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 07/05/2026

“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

A person (Caroline) standing at a kitchen bench.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 27/04/2026

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

A yellow seahorse underwater with its tail wrapped around a plant

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 23/04/2026

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

An emperor penguin standing on ice with the ocean behind it

An Antarctic fur seal laying on rocks with its head up and mouth open

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 15/04/2026

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

A sky filling with smoke from a burning forest below

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 14/04/2026

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 👏

Himanshu sitting on a timber bench in front of greenery

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 09/04/2026

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.

Mohammed smiling, standing outdoors in front of greenery.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 02/04/2026

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 scuba diver harvesting sea urchins from rocks under the ocean

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 19/03/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 02/03/2026

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

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 26/02/2026

Kelp forests are increasingly threatened by warming temperatures and marine heatwaves, but understanding their real-world vulnerability to climate change requires looking beyond laboratory experiments and modelling: utas.au/KelpResearch

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 05/01/2026

We’ve gathered the top ten talks from our Island of Ideas 2025 public talks series – the ones that sparked the biggest conversations and stayed with us long after the final word: www.youtube.com/c/IslandofId...

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 24/10/2025

More than half of Tasmania’s largest wetland system in kanamaluka / the Tamar River has vanished since European settlement, new research published in @springernature.com Estuaries and Coasts shows: utas.au/hB

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 14/10/2025

Marine ecologists from @imas-utas.bsky.social travelled along Tasmania's south coast to Port Davey in the remote southwest. The goal: documenting reef biodiversity at the southernmost point of the Australian continent 🌏 More: utas.au/dive_beneath 📸: Antonia Cooper, Scott Bennett, Sarah & Sebastian

A small boat on top of the water preparing scuba divers as a person scuba dives under the surface

A scuba diver examining some kelp under the water

A diver with their head above the surface looking at a seal who also has their head above water

Hands pressing seaweed onto a white board

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 25/09/2025

Dr Angela Slatter, the 2025 Hedberg Writer-in-Residence, is leading a workshop for emerging creative writers this Saturday, 27 September in Hobart. The workshop will get your story started and finished, and expand your writer’s toolbox. Places are still available: www.utas.edu.au/events/2025/...

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 23/09/2025

Why is Tasmania’s leatherwood honey so iconic? New research from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture @tia.utas.edu.au is uncovering what makes it so unique 🍯🐝 Read more: utas.au/leatherwoodh...

A person in a lab coat, in a science lab, holding a small plastic vial of yellow fluid above their face and looking at it

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 18/09/2025

An international team of researchers, led by A/Prof Rebecca Carey, has crossed the Pacific Ocean on board the CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator. They're learning how the eruption of the Hunga Volcano in Tonga has impacted the marine environment. Learn more 👉 utas.au/VolcanoResea...

Three people standing in front of the RV Investigator and smiling. It is a large, blue and white ship that is tied up at a dock.

A group of people standing on the deck of the ship, wearing high vis jackets and helmets. They are looking at a large piece of technical equipment that has just been craned up from the ocean.

A stalked hydroids swimming above the ocean floor

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 04/09/2025

The Multiple Sclerosis Research Flagship and Centre of Research Excellence (MS-CRE) at Menzies is recruiting PhD students across a range of disciplines. Successful applicants will join one of the largest Multiple Sclerosis research groups in the world. More: msresearchflagship.org.au/multiple-scl...

Three people wearing lab coats and glasses, having a discussion in a science lab setting

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 28/08/2025

Congratulations to Dr Chen Zhao, who has been named Tasmania’s 2025 Young Tall Poppy of the Year! Dr Zhao’s work is focused on reducing one of the greatest uncertainties in climate change science – how much and how quickly sea levels will rise due to Antarctic ice loss. More: utas.au/TallPoppy_2025

Dr Chen Zhao sitting in the snow with her arms extended out wide and smiling. Behind her, a large number of emperor penguins stand in a group

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 18/08/2025

Citizen scientists across Tasmania can help track down the haunting call of one of the world’s most threatened migratory birds, the critically endangered far eastern curlew. Attend a workshop during #NationalScienceWeek across the state: utas.au/CallTrackers @clawkins.bsky.social

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 21/07/2025

By turning recycled marine samples into a classroom resource, @imas-utas.bsky.social's Megan Chang is creating educational tools for the next generation of fisheries scientists. Read more: utas.au/MeganChang

Megan Chang standing on the Hobart foreshore smiling.

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 14/07/2025

Earlier this month over 80 climate and sustainability leaders gathered at our Inveresk campus for the Leading Climate Adaptation Workshop, hosted by Tasmanian Leaders in collaboration with the Launceston Institute. Read more: utas.au/hg

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University of Tasmania @utas.edu.au · 02/07/2025

Recent record summer lows in Antarctic sea ice provide a window into a future warmer climate with more extreme events, but what are the impacts we can expect? @imas-utas.bsky.social researchers are leading efforts to understand the long-term impacts of these extreme changes: utas.au/SeaIce

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