Annual Report - Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology
Research Across the University
A significant strategy to foster research links between the
Research Centres and Institutes and the TAFE Division has
seen continuing discussions with the DVC TAFE and senior
staff about mechanisms for involving TAFE staff in
research. A development scheme for allowing TAFE staff to
spend some time in one of the Research Institutes is being
discussed, as have possible research and training
opportunities for TAFE staff in MiniFAB (a facility to produce
prototype microtechnology platforms for sensors and other
instrumentation). The TAFE Strategic Statement prepared in
response to the State Education Minister’s Statement on
Knowledge and Skills for the Innovation Economy was
informed by these discussions. A program to establish
research clusters has been established, with a ‘water’
cluster being trialed as a pilot.
The TAFE Division is now developing a research presence.
Research received a higher profile in the Division when the
Victorian Government endorsed the establishment of an
Emerging Skills Research Unit which will monitor emerging
skill needs, particularly those associated with the current
and projected activities of Cooperative Research Centres,
to address and assess the availability of appropriate
training resources across the Victorian VET sector.
The Division has also just won its second National Council
for Vocational Education and Research Project. While
research has not been a traditional part of a VET
professional’s role, many staff are actively engaged in
research.
Swinburne, Lilydale has only recently begun to develop
its research activity, following an expansion of its original
learning and teaching mission. The Division has developed
a research capability statement, adopted a Divisional
Research Plan, and begun to offer PhDs. A Divisional
Research Advisor/Mentor has also been appointed. The
Division is underpinning its flexible learning and teaching
with sound theoretical models, and reporting this work at
national and international conferences.
Quality Assurance – Two Research Institutes
External reviews of the Brain Sciences Institute (BSI) and
the Institute for Social Research were conducted in 2002.
Review Panels were appointed in December 2001 to
assess the performance of the Institutes in terms of the:
■ quality of research outcomes
■ impact of research outcomes
■ quality of research student supervision
■ adequacy and appropriateness of physical resources
and working environment
■ the contribution of Institute research to the reputation of
the University.
The BSI Review Panel determined that the Institute has
demonstrated a very high research standard in the area of
cognitive neuroscience and developed a very considerable
entrepreneurial presence. Concerns raised by the Panel
have been addressed over 2002 and include:
■ the need to broaden the research base and associated
methodologies for the research focuses within the field
of cognitive neuroscience
■ the desirability of targeting high impact refereed
research journals in order to raise awareness of the BSI
both nationally and internationally.
The ISR Review Panel found that the Institute has
demonstrated a very high research standard in the area of
social policy and developed a very considerable presence
in the field. Overall, the Panel were of the view that the
Institute is performing at a high level of excellence in its
endeavours. In addition to assessing these elements as
they are reflected within the ISR, the Panel also dealt with
the issues surrounding the various structural and
management models for locating the University’s research
institutes in the future and has proposed some matters for
consideration by the University’s senior management.
Annual Report 2002
www.swin.edu.au
27