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Solving grand challenges

Falling Walls Lab Australia is a fast-paced and exciting event that provides a platform for young researchers to share their ideas for solving grand challenges to help shape a more sustainable future. Falling Walls Labs are held in , with five state heats taking place in Australia in 2025.

On Monday 1 September 2025, the ¾«¶«ÊÓƵ will host the 10th Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale at the iconic Shine Dome in Canberra.

Winners of the five state labs will compete, each giving a three-minute presentation on their research or innovation idea. The jury of eminent judges, chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Tony Haymet, will select the most promising ideas, with three winners being chosen to represent Australia at the  in Berlin on 7 November 2025.
 

Finale event details

Date: Monday 1 September 2025

Time: 2.30pm to 6.00pm AEST

• Registrations open and lunch available: 1.30pm
• Event starts: 2.30pm
• Afternoon tea during jury deliberations: 4.00pm
• Announcement of winners: 4.45pm
• Cocktail Reception: 5.00pm–6.00pm

Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Canberra
 

This year's finalists

• Mabel Day, University of Adelaide, Breaking the wall of forever chemicals
• Dr Auriane Drack, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute/University of Melbourne, Breaking the wall of heart failure
• Dr Houda Ennaceri, Murdoch University, Breaking the wall of microalgal biofuels 
• Dr Harriet Goodrich, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, The University of Tasmania, Breaking the wall of fishing and climate change
• Yonglin Mai, The University of Tasmania, Breaking the wall of hidden water pollution
• Sreshtha Malik, University of Adelaide, Breaking the wall of herbicide-resistant weeds
• Khoi Nguyen, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Breaking the wall of antimalarial discovery
• Dr Kit Prendergast, Curtin University and University of Southern Queensland, Breaking the wall of native bee recovery after bushfires
• Farrel Separgo, University of Technology Sydney, Breaking the wall of diagnostic thermometres
• Chundu Tamang, University of Southern Queensland, Breaking the wall of profit over planet: Recycling polymer waste from oil and gas industries
• Dr Jacob Thorstensen, Bond University, Breaking the Wall of Muscle Weakness

Join the audience! 

Anyone can join the audience – entry is free and includes catering. However, book early as seats are limited and will fill quickly!

Event partners

Contact 

Lynn Allan
International Project Officer, ¾«¶«ÊÓƵ
Phone: 02 6201 9461
Email: fallingwalls@science.org.au