The University of Adelaide 2012 Annual Report Foreword from the Chancellor The Council of the University was very pleased with the University’s performance in 2012. Student numbers continued to grow, the finances of the University were sound and the University’s research performance in terms of ERA ratings and success in winning competitive grants was impressive. Furthermore, the emphasis on the has received widespread praise in the importance of the student experience as media and is bound to provoke thought, illustrated in the opening of Hub Central discussion and action over the coming years. was pleasing. I congratulate Professor Bebbington on his This past year marked the completion of the appointment and look forward to working University’s Strategic Plan 2008–2012 and with him as we build on this bold new vision also completion of the term of the then Vice- for the University. Chancellor, Professor James McWha AO. The implementation of the University’s Professor McWha’s term as Vice-Chancellor new strategic plan will be to a background was very successful. It left the University of continuing change within the higher stronger and in better financial shape. His education sector. The sector is becoming emphasis on a more open and accountable ever more competitive and the expectations University, in broadening student access and of government ever more demanding. in placing the institution more closely at the Professor Bebbington’s commitment to heart of the South Australian community was a focus on the primary importance of also commendable. The Council thanked the teaching and learning experience will Professor McWha and his wife Lindsay for a help address the competitive pressures in dedicated team effort over the last 10 years. terms of student choice. Similarly, his focus The year 2012 also saw the opening of on broadening and building the financial a new chapter in the development of the resources of the University will also help address the considerable financial challenges Report of the Council of the University of Adelaide for the University in the appointment of Professor period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 Warren Bebbington, who became the that lie ahead. Both responses are strongly To His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR University of Adelaide’s 20th Vice-Chancellor supported by Council. Governor of South Australia. and President since the University was Council appreciates that the success of May it please Your Excellency, I have the honour to transmit to you the Report of the Council of the University of Adelaide established in 1874. Professor Bebbington, the University is not only a credit to its for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012, who came to us from the University of leadership, but also to the very capable and furnished in compliance with Section 25 of the University of Adelaide Act 1971 (1 June 2007). Melbourne, is a Fulbright Scholar and committed University staff. Council is grateful graduate of the University of Melbourne, for the level of service and cooperation of Queens College, Columbia University, staff which very much identifies the University and the City University New York (CUNY) of Adelaide. Graduate School. He holds a PhD and From a personal perspective, I would masters degrees in Arts, Music, and also like to thank Council members and Philosophy, and has won numerous Council Sub-committee members for their teaching awards. service and commitment to the University. Professor Bebbington quickly demonstrated In particular, I acknowledge the retiring why he has been such a highly regarded Deputy Chancellor, Ms Pamela Martin, who teacher as well as leader. On just his third made a major contribution to the Council day in office, he delivered his Inaugural and the University over the last 12 years Lecture, Déjà vu all over again: what next and her untiring efforts, sound counsel and for universities? to a capacity audience commitment to the student community have in Elder Hall, attracting national and been much appreciated. international interest. In February 2012, the University Council As one of his first tasks, Professor reappointed me for a further two-year Bebbington launched a detailed discussion term to July 2014. I am honoured to lead paper for the University of Adelaide the University’s Council going forward; it community which formed the basis of our is a great privilege to be part of such an new Strategic Plan 2013–2023, Beacon important place of higher learning and I look of Enlightenment. This plan, approved by forward to overseeing the University’s plans The Hon. Robert M. Hill AC Council at our December 2012 meeting, for the future. Chancellor 2012 Annual Report 1 Contents Foreword from the Chancellor 1 From the Vice-Chancellor and President 3 Mission, vision and values 4 2012 at a glance 4 Five-year statistics 6 Awards and achievements 13 Higher education environment 16 Governance 18 Learning and teaching 22 Research and research training 30 Community engagement 38 Services and resources 46 Acronyms 56 University websites 57 Financial statements 58 From the Vice-Chancellor and President It is with great pleasure that I present my first annual report as 20th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. On my arrival last July, I inherited a university with a student body of democratic breadth, in good health: the University’s trajectory of and a commitment to exploring new fields, growth over the past decade—in student reflecting the progressive values of the enrolments, research and infrastructure— Adelaide community. Today, that founding had reinforced its strong position in an vision has never been more relevant, and the increasingly competitive tertiary education research university ideal it espoused, never sector. Prudent financial management led by more potent. my predecessor, Professor James McWha Thus, while costs continue to rise across AO, had seen the University of Adelaide higher education, we will endeavour to focus confidently maintain its ranking in the top 1% not on more growth but on transforming of universities worldwide. Professor McWha’s the quality of what we offer. We seek to contribution and devotion to the University, return research to undergraduate teaching, and the sector as a whole, leaves a legacy to enrich the campus experience, to bring that will resonate for many years to come. small-group learning to the fore, to fulfil I was immediately taken with the quality of students’ expectations of rich online and staff leading the various senior portfolios IT support, and to offer a distinctive and in the University, whose dedication and irresistible course offering. We will seek to ability were everywhere apparent. I was multiply the number of our students who also immediately impressed by the unique study abroad, and enrich the experience role the University plays in the city, and for the international students who study indeed the state of South Australia. Our here with us. We also seek to enhance our possible. Some progress was made, but this friends and supporters are many: the sense research strengths, to increase the number promises to be a major preoccupation for the of community pride and ownership is of first-rate research staff and students in University’s leadership for some time yet. almost palpable. our midst, and consolidate our international I would like to thank all at the University who My first task was to consult with staff, ranking position. And we will seek to have made me so welcome: the members students, our alumni and supporters in the underpin these aims with improved systems of Council, staff, students, volunteers, community to develop a new Strategic Plan. and support, and with more innovative alumni and industry partners among them. Through lunches, dinners, forums and a resource planning, including expanding our I am honoured to lead the University as retreat, I met most of the University’s heads, fundraising and grant income. Vice-Chancellor and President and I look professors, managers, as well as student In 2013, three Beacon of Enlightenment forward to working with the University of leaders, alumni representatives, community, taskforces in learning and teaching, in Adelaide community in bringing our bold government and business leaders, and research, and in engagement and service, new agenda to fruition. many members of the academic staff. After will work towards implementing the Strategic several months of positive and even excited Plan. Amid such a volatile political and discussion, at the end of 2012 our Academic economic environment, we must be resolute Board and Council both unanimously in the pursuit of our goals. Yet, given the endorsed a new Strategic Plan for 2013–23: University of Adelaide’s position and the Beacon of Enlightenment. This sets out a loyalty and calibre of the staff, I am certain vision for the future which will take us to we can fulfil our aspirations. the eve of our sesquicentennial in 2024, Another significant priority during 2012 was celebrating 150 years since the University addressing the challenge of our ageing was founded. Health Sciences facilities. With the new Royal Beacon of Enlightenment is inspired by Adelaide Hospital now under construction the work of the University of Adelaide’s at the other end of the city, we commenced founders—and especially by founding Vice- detailed planning for new medical, dental Chancellor, Dr Augustus Short, a scholar and and nursing schools close to the new brilliant teacher who believed that education, health