Hub researchers were celebrated for their contribution to microplastics research at the Microplastics in Focus Conference, held on 27–28 November in Newcastle. The event brought together scientists, innovators, industry partners and policymakers to discuss emerging research and solutions to the growing microplastics challenge.
Conference spotlights emerging microplastics research
The conference explored how microplastics move through soil, water and air, and the implications for environmental and human health. Discussions highlighted new detection technologies, ecological impacts, and the importance of coordinated science–policy–industry action to build a more circular, plastic-resilient future.
Speakers also emphasised the urgency of understanding microplastic sources and pathways, with particular focus on tyres, textiles and packaging, which are key contributors to pollution in urban environments.
Understanding Microplastics project gains national attention
A highlight for the Hub was the joint presentation with Ocean Protect’s Daniel Rider, “From Factories to Front Yards: Investigating Microplastics in Urban Stormwater.” The presentation showcased early findings from a twelve-month study examining how microplastics travel through stormwater systems using OceanGuard devices installed in drains across multiple sites.
Over the course of the project, the team:
- collected more than 80 samples
- analysed plastics across four size ranges
- applied systematic separation and identification techniques to characterise particles with precision.
The team’s real-time analysis approach drew strong interest from researchers and industry participants, underscoring the need for robust data to support sustainable stormwater planning and pollution prevention.
In recognition of their clear communication and collaborative research, Dr Sanjith Udayakumar and Daniel Rider received the conference’s Best Presenter Award. Dr Farshid Pahlevani, Sofia Payel and Asiyeh Kheradmand’s research efforts were integral in the creation of the presentation.
Advancing Australia’s understanding of microplastics
This stormwater project forms part of the Hub’s broader Understanding Microplastics research program, led by Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO and Dr Rumana Hossain at UNSW Sydney. The program aims to better understand where microplastics come from, how they move through the environment and what can be done to reduce their impact.
