University of Newcastle Ups the Ante in Research

Wednesday 16 August 2006

With an accumulated value of more than $20 million over three years, the University of Newcastle today announced 10 Priority Research Centres to strategically focus resources into areas of existing and potential research strength.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Barney Glover, said the establishment of Priority Research Centres would help to maintain the University’s position in the top 10 research higher education institutions in Australia.

“The University is embarking on a new era in research driven by stronger strategy, maximizing our competitive strengths and greater delivery for the region.”

The University’s first round of Priority Research Centres brings together researchers across three broad fields: health, energy and the environment, and science and engineering.  The University of Newcastle’s 2006 Priority Research Centres are:

• Asthma and Respiratory Diseases
• Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery & Information-Based Medicine
• Brain and Mental Health Research
• Gender, Health & Ageing
• Reproductive Science
• Energy
• Geotechnical and Materials Modelling
• Organic Electronics
• Advanced Particle Processing
• Complex Dynamic Systems and Control

“Our track record in the disciplines of health, the environment, and science and engineering is impressive.  Through the Priority Research Centres, we will work with our strengths and position the University to be a national and international leader in these areas,” Professor Glover said.

“The Centres will provide the University with greater opportunities to build on and forge new partnerships.  For example, the health related Priority Research Centres will work very closely with the Hunter Medical Research Institute.”

Today’s announcement during National Science Week forms part of the University’s response to the Australian Government’s increasing emphasis on quality and impact in public sector research.

“The Government is implementing a national research assessment framework from 2008 to guide which institutions receive research funding.  While the University of Newcastle is in the top 10 of higher education institutions in terms of research, our approach needs to be more sophisticated to stay ahead of the game. 

“The Priority Research Centres are part of a strategy by the University to remain competitive and build our capabilities against key deliverables.  This enhanced focus will deliver greater research benefits for the nation, but also, importantly, for our local region.”

Professor Glover said the Priority Research Centres approach helped the University focus on 10 research strengths, while enabling it to continue supporting other important research activities, emerging areas and niche opportunities.

“Innovative research is underway across the arts, humanities and social sciences disciplines.  In the coming months further major initiatives will be announced focusing on new research concentrations in education and the arts, business and law.

“A number of Institutes will also be launched, including the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment.”

Priority Research Centres background information

Media contact:  
Kate Robinson, Media & Public Relations Unit, 02 4921 5061 / 0408 115 467
Kate Reid, Media & Public Relations Unit, 02 4921 5351 / 0438 745 098