Build areas of research strength and impact, and achieve a world university ranking in the top 200
1.1 Actively retain our high quality researchers, target academic appointments and focus investments in quality infrastructure to support the expansion of research programs that underpin world-class performance as informed by the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment.
1.2 Identify and invest in up to three (3) areas of emerging research strengths likely to secure future international reputation and leadership.
1.3 Submit at least three (3) applications as the lead applicant in each of the following schemes: the Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence, the Cooperative Research Centres program and National Health and Medical Research Council Program/Centre Grants.
1.4 Increase the number of high quality research outputs by at least 30 per cent, and ensure strategic and timely submission of data supports the highest possible disciplinary rankings for the University in world university ranking schemes.
1.5 Build capacity of professional staff involved in the support of research and innovation through investment in initiatives that promote professional and leadership development, as well as international collaboration to define best practice for research support.
Deliver world-class innovation through collaborative engagement in research projects with industry, business and government partners in our regions and across Australia
2.1 Build the global profile and reputation of the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) with a resultant 50 per cent growth in research funding (2012-2015) through the attraction of world-class research leaders and their teams to these two (2) major research institutes.
2.2 Launch ‘The Hunter Project’ as a whole of institution, long-term project to ensure world-class research and innovation, and education and training underpin social, environmental and economic transitions in the Hunter region during the next two (2) decades.
2.3 Engage with regional leaders and core industries from the Central Coast and Mid North Coast in the development of a ‘Research and Innovation Blueprint’ for these regions.
2.4 Launch at least three (3) new whole of institution Research and Innovation Hubs (or Clusters) in specific thematic areas, which act as a ‘one stop shop’ for engagement with a range of partners and the delivery of research- based solutions to complex multidisciplinary problems.
2.5 Identify and pursue productive relationships with local, national and international Indigenous communities to advance shared aims and aspirations in education and research.
2.6 Review, facilitate and enhance engagement in commercial research relationships, consultancies and the management and exploitation of intellectual property with Newcastle Innovation.
Increase the world standing of our research through new collaborative arrangements with first-rate international partners
3.1 Double the amount of research funding from international sources.
3.2 Identify and establish five (5) major international partnerships or consortia with leading international research partners involving investment of funds, staff collaboration, and PhD student exchange
3.3 Connect our areas of research excellence to identified international research programs of similar focus and global esteem.
3.4 Develop streamlined processes to attract first-class researchers to Newcastle, support joint appointments for academic staff with international partners and increase the international mobility of early career researchers.
3.5 Double the number of research higher degree students recruited through collaborative partnership arrangements with ‘first-rate’ international institutions and scholarship bodies.
Build the next generation of research leaders at the University of Newcastle
4.1 Grow PhD student numbers by 30 per cent (2012-2015) particularly in areas of strength as identified by the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment.
4.2 Boost annual research higher degree completions to at least 20 per cent of load through targeted strategies, review of degree structure and the development of an innovative ‘UON PhD Advantage’ career development program.
4.3 Provide targeted scholarship support to defined research priority areas to stimulate recruitment of the brightest domestic and international research higher degree students and boost our capacity for PhD students with a formal model of support through a teaching assistance scheme.
4.4 Provide increased opportunities for recruitment of students into an ‘Engaged PhD’ program, which embeds appropriate training and linkages with industry, professional bodies and other partners.
4.5 Retain and attract the highest quality early career researchers from across the world in areas of research strength through postdoctoral research fellowships at the University, and increase our cohort of research post doctoral trainees and research fellows supported by external Australian or international funding to at least 170.
Support our staff to build success in research
5.1 Designate all academic continuing positions as ‘teaching and research’, and ensure that the positions are internationally advertised and recruitment occurs into areas of demonstrable research strength.
5.2 Develop the ‘UoN Career Advantage’ program that ensures new academic appointees have reduced teaching and academic administrative loads (by an equivalent of 20 per cent on average) during the first five (5) years of appointment and are mentored in research concentrations.
5.3 Support the career aspirations of academic staff through the provision of high quality, accessible research performance data, benchmarked against national and world standard in the relevant discipline area.
5.4 Specify and embed the relationship between research institutes, centres and schools and faculties through a formal ‘Framework of Support’ which identifies the principles, purpose, and resource base of the partnership.
5.5 Extend opportunities for research development and capacity building for emerging and Indigenous research leaders through targeted development programs and funding support, and provide appropriate infrastructure to support the growth of research across the University.
The illustrations on this site have been created by the University of Newcastle's Head of the discipline of Design, Professor Mario Minichiello.
Fill in the form below with your thoughts about our future