The Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Professor Daniel Franks has been awarded $1.2 million as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships scheme.
The Future Fellowship scheme plays a significant role in facilitating research excellence in areas of national and international interest and is awarded to outstanding Australian mid-career researchers.
Through the fellowship Professor Franks aims to address a major gap in our understanding of global poverty by assessing for the first time the mineral security dimensions.
“Minerals are the only natural resource missing from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, despite their importance in providing shelter, mobility, energy, communication and sustenance” he explains.
“My project ‘Assessing the mineral security dimensions of multi-dimensional poverty’ seeks to explore how the availability, access, stability and utilisation of minerals impact the prevalence and intensity of poverty.”
Over one billion people currently experience poverty and new approaches and points of entry are desperately needed.
In parallel with the award, the Sustainable Minerals Institute has announced the establishment of a new research centre, the Global Centre for Mineral Security, with Professor Franks serving as its inaugural Director.
“Mineral security exists when all people have sufficient and affordable access to the minerals necessary for the basics of human development,” Professor Franks says.
“Whether it be the clay bricks that build homes, the crushed stone that paves roads, the mineral fertilisers that feed crops or the copper that wires energy.”
The Centre’s multidisciplinary team is undertaking research, education, technical assistance, and capacity building with international partners including the United Nations, World Bank, OECD, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and IKEA.
“Our aim is to bring evidence to policy makers, innovation to partners and new tools to realise sustainable development,” Daniel explains.
“Our team is unique in its diverse skill sets and experience.
“They have worked as international development practitioners and researchers for a wide range of development institutions, industry, and government in more than 54 countries.”
Read more about the work of the Global Centre for Mineral Security
Media: Daniel Franks, d.franks@uq.edu.au ; SMI Communications, communications@smi.uq.edu.au
