Importance of Research to the University

At the heart of the University’s mission is a fundamental moral commitment to intellectual discovery and development. Our students benefit through research-led teaching. Our creativity and discovery deliver cultural, social, economic and political benefits to the community.

The University’s reputation is directly linked to the quality of our research. As our reputation as a research-intensive university grows, so too does our ability to attract and retain high-performing staff and outstanding research students. Research is at the core of everything we do.

Research excellence is key to achieving the University’s aspiration for leadership as Australia’s premier university and international recognition as a world-class institution. The University’s track record in research is impressive. We conduct cutting-edge research across the broadest range of disciplines of any Australian university, and secure more research income than any other university in the country.

Research is conducted in an increasingly globalised context, where interdisciplinary engagement, international collaboration and industry partnerships are highly valued.

This evolving research environment offers more diverse funding sources and the opportunity to increase the ambition and scale of research projects. At the same time, competition for research dollars is intensifying and research priorities are shifting to meet changing social, cultural, environmental, economic, industrial and political imperatives.

There is a new emphasis on assessment of research quality requiring an analysis and management of individual as well as group performance. Similarly, there is a trend towards greater accountability and increased compliance obligations.

The Research Management Program is an initiative that aims to deliver a research management infrastructure capable of supporting research excellence, to place the University in a strong position to meet future challenges and make the most of emerging opportunities.