Top 250 researchers V University-business collaborations V Best 10 books RESEARCH 2020 Historian Robot expert Agnieszka Sobocinska Inkyu Sa dissects our makes autonomous idealism P33 vehicles safer P24 VITAL TO OUR Geophysicist Vision scientist Dietmar Müller Fiona Stapleton uncovers earth’s FUTURE prevents eye secrets P21 disease P30 SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 CRICOS No. 00114A CRICOS No. 00114A Foreword Contents 8 How we chose the best Using data analytics, we found Australia’s best researchers in more than 250 fields 10 Top of the world These nine researchers lead the world, among them Caroline Homer. 11 Lifetime achievers Australia’s top 40 researchers who’ve made a difference through their career long contribution re-COVID-19, one of the great joys of being Education Minister was visiting 16 Australia’s universities to see firsthand the world-leading research taking place Business, Economics & Management in our backyard. Whether it is research to improve ethical machine decision Sharon Parker, improving the design of work making, the development of a new breed of pineapple that is resistant to 19 premature flowering or unlocking the secrets of the universe by studying Dark Chemical & Material Sciences Matter, the breadth, depth and quality of Australian research demonstrates the Maria Forsyth, creating the batteries of the future strength of the sector. 20 Research can save lives, make us healthier and protect our communities and Physics & Mathematics the environment. It also helps us understand more about ourselves, our history and our future. Dietmar Müller, uncovering earth’s past secrets ResearchP will be essential to help power Australia’s coronavirus recovery. The productive capacity 24 of our nation will rely on educated workers, able to access innovation and research, to drive Engineering & Computer Science opportunity. Inkyu Sa, making autonomous vehicles safer This means strengthening the link between research and outcomes. As we have seen through 28 the global research effort to find a vaccine for COVID-19, Australians are best served by Health & Medical Sciences encouraging international research collaborations that are in our national interest. Patrick McGorry, improving youth mental health It is also important that international research collaborations are carefully balanced against Fiona Stapleton, preventing eye disease Australia’s national interests, including our national security, values and ethical standards. The 32 Morrison Government takes the threat of foreign interference seriously and we are taking action Humanities, Literature & Arts to protect Australian research. Our Government wants universities working with industry and Agnieszka Sobocinska, dissecting our idealism other organisations to commercialise research, turn ideas into jobs, and deliver economic growth. 34 The stories of the researchers in these pages are wonderful examples of the innovation and Social Sciences collaboration that takes place across the research sector. Charles Hunt, creating conditions for peace Everyone in higher education must get better at telling these stories and making them relevant Alina Morawska, helping parents do better for every Australian. 39 By demonstrating the value of our research, we continue to make the case for investment and Life Sciences & Earth Sciences we also inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers. Nigel Cook, building the minerals industry Dan Tehan 43 Rising stars FEDERAL MINISTER FOR EDUCATION Australia’s top 40 early career researchers, the leaders of the future 48 Global research collaborations The universities which do best in working with global elite institutions RESEARCH 49 Editor Tim Dodd Business research collaborations The universities which do best in working with Art Director Samantha Yates business Sub-editors Justine Costello, Michael Ellis Writers Tim Dodd, Jill Rowbotham, Julie Hare, Sian Powell 50 Advertising Marion Leddy Top ten books +61 2 9288 2458 [email protected] The academic books with the most impact in the last decade Printed by PMP Print, 31 Heathcote Road, Moorebank 2170 for the proprietor and publisher. Nationwide News Pty Ltd (ACN 008 438 828) of 2 Holt Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, for insetion in The Australian on September 23, 2020 4 RESEARCH THE AUSTRALIAN H SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 Research at the University of USQ’s world-class Southern Queensland is innovative, responsive research delivers and intrinsically linked to the communities we serve. Our track record of targeted impact is world-changing made possible by our dedicated research institutes and centres. results Learn more about USQ Research usq.edu.au/research Institute for Life Institute for Advanced Institute for Resilient Sciences and the Engineering and Space Regions (IRR) Environment (ILSE) Sciences (IAESS) IRR works with communities to build an innovative and thriving regional Australia Improving food security and increasing the IAESS researchers are working with more that is a great place to live and work. resilience of Australia’s agricultural sector than 70 aerospace, defence, agricultural are key areas of focus for researchers machinery and civil engineering companies The Institute’s Centre for Health Research within ILSE. to deliver knowledge, cutting-edge is addressing the signifi cant disparities technologies and industry solutions at the in 5-year cancer survival rates that exist ILSE’s Centre for Applied Climate forefront of discovery. between urban and rural cancer patients Sciences’ Drought and Climate Adaptation by examining the journey from diagnosis Program delivers state-of-the-art climate Researchers from the Centre for Future through to treatment. prediction tools to enable Australian Materials are revolutionising the Australian agricultural producers to strengthen farm rail industry through the production and The Rural Economies Centre of management and resilience to drought. installation of fi bre reinforced polymer Excellence is taking a multi-disciplinary composite bridge sleepers across the approach to addressing regional and rural The Centre for Crop Health is improving country, including the iconic Sydney problems and opportunities, providing the profi tability and productivity of globally Harbour Bridge’s rail deck. solutions that integrate the economics important crops such as wheat, barley, of innovation with world-leading lentils, oats and sorghum through the USQ’s Mount Kent Astronomical technical expertise in regional economic development of disease resistant varieties, Observatory provides the only ground- development and agriculture. advanced diagnostics and the biological based support in the southern hemisphere control of pests. to NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Researchers from IRR’s Centre for Satellite with the expertise of researchers Heritage and Culture have uncovered The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural in the Centre for Astrophysics. the contentious history of Australia’s Systems conducts broad-ranging early Native Mounted Police through the and multi-disciplinary research that Australian farmers are among the fi rst in discovery and careful investigation of their enhances the management of agricultural the world to benefi t from the Centre for remote campsites. enterprises as complex systems embedded Agricultural Engineering’s research into within and dependent on their natural machine vision technologies and remote environments, maximising production and operation systems such as automated conservation outcomes. irrigation and driverless tractors. CRICOS QLD 00244B NSW 02225M | TEQSA PRV12081 Research at the University of USQ’s world-class Southern Queensland is innovative, responsive research delivers and intrinsically linked to the communities we serve. Our track record of targeted impact is world-changing made possible by our dedicated research institutes and centres. results Learn more about USQ Research usq.edu.au/research Institute for Life Institute for Advanced Institute for Resilient Sciences and the Engineering and Space Regions (IRR) Environment (ILSE) Sciences (IAESS) IRR works with communities to build an innovative and thriving regional Australia Improving food security and increasing the IAESS researchers are working with more that is a great place to live and work. resilience of Australia’s agricultural sector than 70 aerospace, defence, agricultural are key areas of focus for researchers machinery and civil engineering companies The Institute’s Centre for Health Research within ILSE. to deliver knowledge, cutting-edge is addressing the signifi cant disparities technologies and industry solutions at the in 5-year cancer survival rates that exist ILSE’s Centre for Applied Climate forefront of discovery. between urban and rural cancer patients Sciences’ Drought and Climate Adaptation by examining the journey from diagnosis Program delivers state-of-the-art climate Researchers from the Centre for Future through to treatment. prediction tools to enable Australian Materials are revolutionising the Australian agricultural producers to strengthen farm rail industry through the production and The Rural Economies Centre of management and resilience to drought. installation of fi bre reinforced polymer Excellence is taking a multi-disciplinary composite bridge sleepers across the approach to addressing regional and rural The Centre for Crop Health is improving country, including the iconic Sydney problems and opportunities, providing the profi tability and productivity of globally Harbour Bridge’s rail deck. solutions that integrate