Research making a difference across the region and beyond
University of Newcastle research has received high marks in the Australian Research Council’s first ever Engagement and Impact Assessment – recognising the significant impact the work is having in Australia and around the world.
Engagement and Impact was a companion exercise to the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) report, released last week.
While ERA looks at the overall quality of research, Engagement and Impact (EI) assesses how well researchers engage with end-users and how they are translating their research into actual economic, social, cultural or environmental impact.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO, said the results were confirmation of the institution’s research impact.
“Our impressive results demonstrate that the research happening at the University of Newcastle is changing people’s lives for the better,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“We have hundreds of researchers working at the University of Newcastle to solve some of the world’s most perplexing problems. Today’s results are a credit to those researchers and remind us of the value of their work.”
The university’s stand-out performers include Engineering, Education and Studies in Creative Arts and Writing – each receiving high ratings across all three assessment measures: engagement, impact, and approach to impact.
“Whether we’re researching in the creative arts, or health, or education, we’re very much focused on using our research to help improve our regions and our world.”
“These results demonstrate our strong connections to business, industry and government organisations who are our partners in translating research into reality.”
Language, Communication and Culture received high ratings for both impact indicators and a medium rating for industry engagement.
The assessment also found that the following areas not only achieved effective engagement, but that their research had made a significant contribution to society:
- Chemical Sciences
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Built Environment and Design
- Studies in Human Society
- Law and Legal Studies
The University of Newcastle was one of nine universities in Australia to receive high ratings across all three measures for Engineering. It was also one of only four universities to receive high ratings across the board for our Education research.
The University of Newcastle’s results in Studies in Creative Arts and Writing positioned the institution as one of just five universities to receive highs across all three indicators.
“Our research is making an impact in our regions and around the world – from the way we help people recover from stroke, to our conservation of frogs – and it’s great to see this impact recognised through this new framework,” Professor Zelinsky said.
For more information visit 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Read more about the University of Newcastle's research impact.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.