In summary

  • Dr Yali (Lily) Li has been awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship
  • Dr Li will research innovative and sustainable solutions for eco-friendly infrastructure with a low carbon footprint

Swinburne Vice-Chancellor’s Women in STEM Fellow Dr Yali (Lily) Li from the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Digital Construction has been awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship.

The fellowship, worth $738,000 over four years, is for research that aims to bring environmental and infrastructure benefits for the nation. The 2020 ARC Future Fellowships were announced by Minister for Education Dan Tehan on 29 July.

An internationally recognised expert in polymer and water engineering, Dr Li will research innovative and sustainable solutions for eco-friendly infrastructure with a low carbon footprint.

In collaboration with field-leading experts, Dr Li aims to develop a sustainable binder system made from waste products that would replace virgin materials used in construction. It would increase the durability and service life of critical infrastructure by resisting various adverse environmental conditions.

Dr Li’s past research and industry experience is in electroactive polymer chemistry, hollow fibre membrane and filter media functionalisation, water treatment and recycling, and biowaste modification and reuse for construction materials.

She has a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Her second PhD in Civil Engineering focused on the development of an innovative and high-performance soil filtration system for storm water harvesting.

“Dr Li’s research complements Swinburne’s current research strength in civil engineering and aligns well with our focus on sustainable infrastructure development,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Bronwyn Fox.

“Her proposed research will provide the basis for the development of sustainable materials that are critical to advancing innovation in the construction sector and combatting the increasing challenges of environmental waste and climate change.”

Dr Li will undertake her Future Fellowship in Swinburne’s world-leading research hub, the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Digital Construction.

Swinburne and gender equity

Dr Li will also benefit from practical actions Swinburne is taking to support gender equity. The university recently endorsed the Preserving gender equity as a higher education priority during and after COVID-19 joint statement and is proud to be an inaugural Athena SWAN Bronze Award recipient. Through our participation in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Pilot Program we are rolling out initiatives including extended parental leave entitlements, networking and support groups and the Vice-Chancellor’s Women in STEM Research Fellowships.