Christian Downie awarded ARC Linkage Project grant to support Australia’s clean energy future

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced new grant outcomes under the Linkage Projects scheme, with Professor Christian Downie at The Australian National University (ANU) awarded funding for a major collaborative project examining the dynamics shaping Southeast Asia’s energy transition and Australia’s role within it.

The project, Transition Dynamics in Australia’s Renewable Energy Superpower Partners, aims to develop new data, frameworks and strategies to support Australia’s transition as a renewable energy superpower. Bringing together internationally recognised scholars from political science and political communication, including Professor Darren Halpin at the ANU and Dr Max Grömping at Griffith University, the project will provide the first comparative analysis of energy transition dynamics across Southeast Asia.

In partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the research will generate new data about the organisations driving Southeast Asia’s energy transition and examine the implications for Australia’s future trade and investment relationships.

The project builds on Professor Downie’s internationally recognised expertise in organised interests, climate politics and energy governance. DCCEEW collaborated closely with the ANU-based research team in designing the project and will provide support to co-produce project outputs.

Professor Downie was appointed as a Principal Advisor on international climate and energy policy during a secondment with DCCEEW in 2024. In that role, he worked within the Department’s international division, providing analysis and insights on policy proposals and supporting the development of ministerial briefs and cabinet submissions. The secondment provided an opportunity to translate research insights into policy and strengthen links between academic research and government decision-making. Professor Downie has previously worked with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Professor Downie said the ARC project would deliver important new insights into the politics and governance of clean energy transitions in the region.

This project will inform Australia’s international energy engagement by producing new knowledge and tools that can be used to build economic opportunities, support regional climate goals and enhance Australia’s bilateral relationships with Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The project also aligns closely with the work of the Governing Energy Transitions (GET) Lab at ANU, which is directed by Professor Downie and based within the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet).

The GET Lab brings together researchers, policymakers and advocates seeking to advance the politics and governance of clean energy transitions. Global in focus and interdisciplinary in practice, the Lab’s work aims to improve understanding of the political and governance barriers to decarbonising society.