CQUniversity Annual Report - Central Queensland University

CQUniversity ANNUAL REPORT 2012The Industry, Vocational Training and Access Education Division hasactively promoted the University’s research agenda in 2012 and proudlylaunched the Inaugural Dual Sector Research Symposium in November.This two-day event was attended by over seventy delegates fromCQUniversity and CQ TAFE staff and external stakeholders from localbusinesses and industry who engaged with and informed the developmentof a Dual Sector Research Framework for the University.In addition, the Academic Learning Services Unit (ALSU) has provided15 places for their staff on a purpose-built research program – theScholarship of Teaching Research Program: Introduction to researchingyour own teaching. The program aims to encourage and support theresearch activity of the ALSU academic teaching staff. The scholarshipwas launched in October and will support participants to develop theirresearch in 2013.The Health Collaborative Research Network (CRN) was establishedin 2011 with Commonwealth and University funding to developcollaborative research partnerships between CQUniversity, theUniversity of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technologyand Curtin University. The Health CRN aims to develop synergisticresearch relationships with larger metropolitan universities to provideCQUniversity researchers access to larger facilities while providingmetropolitan researchers better access to health networks on theground in rural and regional communities. Under the auspices of theHealth CRN, CQUniversity has now hired four new Research Professorsin targeted areas of Health and increased the leadership developmentcapabilities across a range of disciplines. The Health CRN has alsoestablished a CRN Mentor Program to support the Early CareerResearchers and provide professional development opportunities.The Office of Indigenous Engagement has worked with the HealthCRN and other CQUniversity directorates to ensure that researchopportunities are inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople. This has resulted in the Health CRN engaging an Early CareerResearcher who identifi es as Aboriginal, and collaborative workbeing developed and implemented between the Offi ce of IndigenousEngagement and the Allied Health Clinic.Additionally, the Office of Indigenous Engagement has hosted a seriesof research seminars in 2012 that showcase the work of researcherswho identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. These areopen to the public and have been well attended by a broad cross sectionof university staff, external stakeholders and members of the public.RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND FLAGSHIPSCQUniversity’s diverse research areas are embedded within aframework of research institutes and centres.The Appleton Institute is a multidisciplinary research hub basedin Adelaide, combining excellence in research, teaching andcommunity engagement across a range of scientifi c areasincluding sleep and biological rhythms, applied psychology,occupational health and safety, human factors, riskmanagement and cultural anthropology.In 2012, the Education Flagship, encompassing both the IERCand LTERC, was strategically positioned within the fi eld ofeducation research at CQUniversity. The Flagship providesmultidisciplinary research capabilities and expertise in ethicallyresponsible, socially and culturally inclusive investigationsinto learning and teaching. LTERC is now at the cutting-edgeof innovation using state-of-the-art visual tracking systems toundertake new research, leading to Australia’s initial eye trackingresearch methodology conference Eye Track Australia 2012.The Institute for Resource Industries and Sustainability (IRIS)provides multidisciplinary capabilities and expertise specifi callystructured to meet the needs of the Australian business sector.Research undertaken within the IRIS group of centres is verydiverse: non-invasive assessment in agriculture, marine biosecurity,precision livestock management, ecological security laboratory andapplied economics are some examples of the relevant and valuableresearch currently underway.The Institute for Health and Social Science Research provides a focusfor multidisciplinary research that addresses the real needs of thecommunities in which it operates, and informs the undergraduate andpostgraduate curriculum of CQUniversity. The primary focus of thisresearch is on informing, monitoring and evaluating programs, andinterventions and behavioural changes that promote healthy, safe andviable communities.The Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP),purchased in 2011, has continued to grow as researchers occupythe laboratories and offi ce space. The research hub is expected tobecome a major regional research facility for research innovation inCentral Queensland.29REVIEW OF OUR ACTIVITIES