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Southern Cross University Research Report 2012

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Southern Cross University Research Report 2012 Southern Cross University Research Report 2012 CRICOS Provider: NSW 01241G, QLD 03135E VC welcome Southern Cross University undertook regionally Jerry Vanclay, Head of School of Environment, relevant and internationally recognised Science and Engineering, and Director of the research in specific fields during 2012. This Forest Research Centre. The Vice Chancellor’s Research Report provides a snapshot of these Award for Excellence in Research for Early activities and the expertise of our researchers. and Mid Career Researcher was awarded to A highlight for the University was our Dr Grayson Cooke, in the School of Arts and outstanding results in the Excellence in Social Sciences. Research for Australia 2012 national report, Developing researchers also received support where we achieved the highest possible through our Research Training Unit, and classification of ‘well above world standard’ in through the Collaborative Research Network six key areas (see page 5). The University also which is providing new opportunities to further continued to grow its success in Australian extend our research capacity. Competitive Grants. In addition to this external recognition, SCU placed an emphasis on highlighting research excellence within the University. A key event during 2012 was the Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The 2012 winner of the Award Professor Peter Lee FTSE for Excellence in Research was Professor Vice Chancellor Welcome 2 Year in Review 3 Excellence in Research for Australia 2012 5 Southern Cross GeoScience 6 Southern Cross Plant Science 8 Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research 11 Marine Ecology Research Centre 14 National Marine Science Centre 16 Forest Research Centre 18 Centre for Children and Young People 20 Centre for Gambling Education and Research 22 Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work 25 Collaborative Research Network 27 Emerging Research 27 Higher Degree Research 30 Contacts 31 Front cover: Richard Wylie’s image, ‘Weedy Seadragon in the Light’. For full story see page 30. The information contained in this publication is correct at the time of printing. Copyright Southern Cross University August 2013. 2 Year in review During 2012 Southern Cross University The growth in research at Coffs Harbour during continued to produce high quality research, 2012 deserves particular mention (see page 29). evidenced by the outstanding ERA results. Some areas have also demonstrated excellent Our research publications continued to growth, innovative strategies and thoughtful increase and, importantly, Southern Cross application in growing research capacity and University continued to show growth in its outputs. SCU is moving into a new era of scholarly research publication output. The research performance. exceptional results achieved by the University Our institutional relationships are making a with respect to ERA has confirmed that, as discernible impact on the research culture. All a University, the growth of research outputs components of our Collaborative Research is occurring in conjunction with exceptional Networks (CRN) partnerships continue to improvements in the quality of these outputs. support the growth of our research capacity. SCU also experienced an increase in National Professional development and new networking Competitive Grant (NCG) Category one opportunities continue to be offered to SCU research income, which is an important staff from experienced research staff at indicator of the prestige of our research. These the partner universities (The University of factors confirm that the track record of our Queensland, University of New South Wales research staff is improving with respect to and University of Sydney). national benchmarks, and SCU’s reputation as SCU continues to participate in national a high quality research provider is assuming Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), with the national significance. following active during 2012: The future is now important. The task is to • CRC for Wound Management continue the research trajectory, by maintaining • CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset the research excellence we have already Management achieved, and identifying emerging areas • CRC for Remote Economic Participation which provide strong prospects for research excellence. The University has some insight into • CRC for Contamination Assessment and these emerging areas through past ERA results, Remediation of the Environment but I also note the strong capacity building at • CRC for Rail Innovation. our Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast campuses. Research Income by Category $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 CRCs $8,000,000 Industry & Other $6,000,000 $4,000,000 Public Sector Research Income Research $2,000,000 NCG (Cat 1) $0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Years 3 Year in review In 2012 the Research Training Unit continued is to develop strategies and institutional to improve the standard of Higher Degree arrangements which continue SCU’s ascending Research (HDR) student programs. We had trajectory towards being a major regional, HDRs enrolled in most disciplines across the national and international higher education University and our CRN program continued research institution. to provide unique opportunities for students associated with the collaborative projects Professor Neal Ryan with partner universities. The task for 2013 Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) Weighted Publications by Category 400 350 300 250 Conference Papers 200 150 Journal Articles 100 Publications Book Chapters 50 Books 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Years Completions By Research Degree 80 70 60 50 DBA 40 30 PhD 20 10 Masters Number of Candidates 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Year Total Enrolments by Research Degree 700 600 500 400 DBA 300 200 PhD 100 Masters 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Number of Candidates Years 4 SCU ‘well above world standard’ in six key areas Southern Cross University’s research in six key areas was given rated as ‘above world standard’ and tourism research at ‘world the highest possible classification of ‘well above world standard’ standard’. in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2012 national These results placed the University among the top two universities report released in December 2012. in the country for research in crop and pasture production, in The top rating of five for ‘well above world standard’ was given the top three universities in the country for zoology, top four in in the specific research fields of geochemistry, zoology, crop agriculture and veterinary sciences and forestry sciences, and and pasture production, and forestry sciences. in the top five in the field of geochemistry and earth sciences. In the broader research fields, the University received the top The University also received the rating of ‘above world standard’ rating of ‘well above world standard’ in earth sciences, and in the broader research field of biological sciences, and ‘world agricultural and veterinary sciences. Nursing research was standard’ in studies in creative arts and writing. WELL ABOVE WORLD • Crop and pasture production (0703) ABOVE WORLD STANDARD This research, conducted predominantly STANDARD through the Special Research Centre • Geochemistry (0402) Southern Cross Plant Science, was • Nursing (1110) The top rating of five in the field of focused on applying genetic and Areas of research reflected in this geochemistry reflected the expertise genomic approaches to analysing field were the professional practice of and contributions from researchers variation in crop plants and their close nursing, clinical training and education in Southern Cross GeoScience; the relatives. The research also focused on and areas of health care practice. This Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry understanding crop domestication traits, research was conducted predominantly Research; the School of Environment, and analysing and generating novel by the School of Health and Human Science and Engineering; the National variation from Australian native plants. Sciences. The research focused on Marine Science Centre; and the Marine the improvement of clinical practice by • Forestry sciences (0705) Ecology Research Centre. Southern investigating workplace relations within Southern Cross University’s forestry Cross University is conducting a broad the healthcare team, management roles research is investigating the full range of range of research in the geochemistry and professional boundaries. products and services that forests can field covering biogeochemical cycles • Biological sciences (06) provide and how these can be produced at local, regional and global scales, sustainably and with minimal impact. It Southern Cross University’s soil and sediment science, water investigated the role forests play in the contributions in this field included quality in oceans, estuaries and rivers, environment, with particular emphasis research in ecology, genetics, plant and landform evolution. The research on birds, marsupials and amphibians. biology and zoology. included a major study in the Murray It also examined possibilities and Darling Basin, aimed at providing a consequences of tree breeding WORLD STANDARD fundamental understanding of how the including genetics, gene flow and pre- • Tourism (1506) wetlands are impacted by drought and breeding strategies. Researchers from what the risks are to the environment The main themes of tourism research the School of Environment, Science and the sustainability
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