RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 - Victoria University
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RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and
families of the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung OUR COMMITMENT:
RESEARCH
(Wurundjeri) and Wathaurung (Wadawurrung)
on our Melbourne Campuses, and the Gadigal
and Guring-gai people of the Eora Nation on
our Sydney campus. These groups are the
custodians of University land and have been for
WITH IMPACT
many centuries. As we share our own knowledge
practices within the University may we pay
respect to the deep knowledge embedded within
the Aboriginal community and their ownership
of Country. We acknowledge that the land on
which our campuses stand is the place of age-old
ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal.
The Kulin and Eora people’s living culture had, and
has, a unique role in the life of these regions.
At Victoria University we are driven
by a moral purpose to empower,
and partner with, our students
CONTENTS to transform lives, and transform
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY 02 communities.
OUR COMMITMENT 03 We are committed to research with purpose that is inspiring,
life-changing and world-changing, undertaken in close
STRONG FOUNDATIONS AND BOLD ASPIRATIONS 04 partnership with the communities that we serve and through
PURPOSE06 our commitment to growing the next generation of leaders.
PRINCIPLES08 As a public institution we stretch the frontiers of knowledge to
serve the needs of our communities. We are mindful that we
PARTNERSHIPS10 are based in the West of Melbourne and on the lands of the
Kulin Nation – our first commitment is to these communities.
PRIORITIES12 We are in, of, for and with, the West.
CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WORLD 13
BRINGING OUR RESEARCH TO LIFE 20 We are also global citizens committed to joining with more
distant communities and global academic colleagues to find
PROMISE22 solutions to complex global challenges and support social
equity. Our research will build bridges and cross borders to
MEASURING OUR SUCCESS 24 support the wellbeing of people, place and planet.
OUR PARTNERS 26 The value that we can bring to our communities is dependent
on our relationships and partnerships and our willingness
to foster an approach that nurtures these relationships.
We value our shared understanding and know that we can
achieve more and be more when we work together to create
an environment in which bold ideas flourish. Without these
relationships our research will not realise impact and achieve
its fullest potential.
It is this commitment and purpose that is the foundation for
our strategic plan for research at VU, 2021-2025.
PROFESSOR CORINNE REID
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR, RESEARCH
02 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 03
STRONG FOUNDATIONS AND BOLD ASPIRATIONS
Five interrelated elements are
essential to realising our aspirations
over the next five years – Our Purpose,
Our Principles, Our Partnerships,
Our Priorities and Our Promise.
PURPOSE
PRINCIPLES
PARTNERSHIPS
PRIORITIES
PROMISE
STRONG FOUNDATIONS
PURPOSE PRINCIPLES PARTNERSHIPS
Drives our Our values are Enable us to
research endeavours evident in all fuel innovation
at Victoria University that we do to drive change
BOLD ASPIRATIONS AND TARGETS
PRIORITIES PROMISE
Our commitments for research A compact with
and research training over our research
the next five years community
04 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 05
PURPOSE
To create life-
changing and WE ARE COMMITTED
world-changing TO ADVANCING THE
UNITED NATIONS
research for the SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
wellbeing of our
people, place
and planet. The UN Sustainable Development poverty, protect the planet and improve Our contribution to the SDG’s will be
Goals (SDGs) align with our strong the lives and prospects of everyone, reflected in partnership projects with:
tradition of social justice research everywhere by 2030. The SDG’s are at
and with VU’s moral purpose: “in the heart of achieving Planetary Health. each of our 6 local councils
partnership, to transform the lives of We will use our research skills, expertise
students and communities”. The VU and resources and hold ourselves key local and national industries
research community is responding accountable to contribute to the UN
to the universal call to action to end Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). priority global partners.
PLANETARY HEALTH
Our commitment to the SDG’s is Drawing together interdisciplinary
part of Victoria University’s whole- research teams, Planetary Health
of-university effort to address is unifying our research efforts,
the challenge of planetary health realising untapped potential and
in our teaching, our university creating a clear, collective purpose
practice, our partnerships, and our and research identity.
research.
Planetary Health is a unifying Placed-based Planetary Health at Victoria University
is finding sustainable solutions to challenges
commitment that calls us to impacting the wellbeing of people, communities,
take action on the most pressing country, and environment; recognising that the
concerns of our time with our wellbeing of all is dependent on the wellbeing of
partners in local and global our planet. We prioritise solutions that are locally
anchored or ‘place-based’ to ensure sustainability
communities.
06 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 07
PRINCIPLES
Our research culture will be built
on shared principles and the VU
values. This ‘VU signature’ will
be evident in all that we do.
We are committed to:
SHAPING INNOVATION STRONG ETHICAL
THE FUTURE AND IMPACT RELATIONSHIPS PRACTICE
High impact, real-world Focussing our research Building diverse teams Ethical principles and
research that matters. and our resources to that acknowledge practice that embody
maximise innovation and individuals and are the highest standards of
Impacting the UN impact. strengthened by collective integrity.
Sustainable Development efforts, recognising
Goals and advancing Working across and that this will enable our Prioritising place-based
Planetary Health. beyond disciplines to find greatest potential. solutions through close
new approaches, methods local partnerships.
Generating solutions for and solutions to ensure Being active, respectful
the challenges of the our research is beneficial and ethical collaborators Enabling structural and
West of Melbourne in to the wellbeing of for our research partners. cultural change that
partnership with our local people, place and planet. prioritises justice, equity
partners. Being trusted advisors for and diversity.
Breaking new ground with industry, government and
Training and mentoring our partners in local and communities. Recognising the rights of
future-ready global communities. Aboriginal people to self-
researchers through Developing long term determination and their
our undergraduate, relationships that forge maintenance, control,
postgraduate, research deeper understanding and development of
training and researcher and shared purpose. Indigenous Knowledge.
development programs.
08 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 09
PARTNERSHIPS OUR VALUED, LONG-STANDING
STRATEGIC RESEARCH
PARTNERS
Victoria University’s research
history and success is deeply
rooted in strong partnerships
for research with impact.
Our partnerships with community, government
and industry include collaborations on research
projects and programs, industry-based research
training projects, joint ventures and in the
commercialisation of our research.
Over the next five years, Victoria University will
have an outstanding program of research in
health and wellbeing anchored in a partnership
with the Victorian Government’s new Footscray
Hospital. The hospital which is being built to meet
the growing healthcare needs of the communities
of Melbourne’s west will be located alongside our
Footscray Park Campus. Our research partnership
will be supported through the development of a
health, sport and active living precinct.
Our research future and aspirations will create
new partnership opportunities to generate new
knowledge and fuel innovation to drive change.
We are proud to work with passionate and innovative local,
national and international partners and have acknowledged
recent partnerships on pages 26 and 27.
10 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 11PRIORITIES CONTRIBUTING
TO OUR WORLD
Over the next five years, we will build
on our research strengths and develop Our research and research
new opportunities so that our research training will bring our rich and
can respond to urgent, emerging and diverse research expertise to:
longstanding needs in our local and global
communities.
We are committed to social justice and
1 Co-design and deliver research that
produces outcomes to address the priorities
and challenges of industry, community and
translational research with high impact. government.
Our research strength and reputation has
been built over two decades and provides 2 Impact the UN Sustainable Development Goals
and create the next generation of research
leaders for social justice.
a strong foundation for life-changing and
world changing research outcomes. 3 Build a more active Australia, achieving
sporting excellence, safeguarding the integrity
of sport and strengthening the national and
VU has extended this tradition to include global sport industry. We will champion sport for
a whole of university commitment to inspiration, for innovation, for social change and
planetary health and the United Nations for community cohesion.
Sustainable Development Goals – we are
strongly committed to research addressing 4 Contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities’ wellbeing and
empowerment by continuing to develop a strong
the health and wellbeing of people, place and distinctive capability in Indigenous research.
and planet.
16 RESEARCH PRIORITIES
CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WORLD
4 PRIORITIES
BRINGING OUR RESEARCH TO LIFE
12 PRIORITIES WITHIN 3 THEMES
SHARING DEVELOPING NURTURING
OUR OUR RESEARCH OUR
EXPERTISE ECOSYSTEM RESEARCHERS
12 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 13CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WORLD
HEALTH, WELLBEING SPORT FLAGSHIP
AND STRONG COMMUNITIES The VU Sports Flagship reflects our strength and global reputation in the
field of sport, from grassroots to elite.
AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS Four central themes define our contributions: Sport for Innovation,
Enabling Healthy Sport for Inspiration, Sport for Community Cohesion and Sport for
and Active Populations Social Change.
We are promoting positive health and wellbeing for individuals The University’s Sport Strategy is led by the Institute for Health and
and communities using co-designed, place-based and Sport and the College of Sport and Exercise Science.
evidence-based interventions, integrated, multi-disciplinary
approaches and innovation in policy, practice and technology. AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS
Enhancing High Performance in Sport
CASE STUDIES
We partner with international teams and clubs such as the Barcelona
Mental ill-health is the number one challenge affecting
and Juventus FC and local teams such as the Western Bulldogs and
young people today. Partnering with headspace, the
Netball Victoria to translate our understanding of biophysical and
national youth mental health foundation, we’ve developed a
psychosocial processes and theories to improve athletes’ performance,
new approach for young people to manage their wellbeing.
coaching and sport systems.
The interactive self-guided online micro-interventions
are reaching thousands of young Australians through the Our contributions are strengthened by our expertise in: Enhancing sport
national headspace network and we’re currently evaluating performance; Human movement tracking and sport data analytics;
the impacts on health behaviours. Sport participation; Diversity, inclusion & physical literacy; Women in
sport; Active living; Business leadership and management; and Sport
A key question in biology is to understand why and how we
governance and integrity.
age. Utilising innovative epigenetic analysis to study the
muscle clocks of young and old people we can predict an Sharpening our focus: We recognise that sport has a powerful role to
unknown person’s age by looking at their epigenetic profile. play in our community and in meeting the UN Sustainable Development
The muscle clock enables us to work out how people can Goals. Most recently we have been developing expertise in sport as a
slow down their ageing processes by making changes to catalyst to support planetary health, and also maximising our impact in
exercise and diet. Ultimately the findings will support the the following thematic areas:
development of new (evidence-based) health interventions
to keep Australians healthier for longer. CASE STUDIES
SPORT FOR INSPIRATION AND INNOVATION The Game Insight
SARS-CoV-2 virus causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Group (GIG), a joint venture between Tennis Australia and Victoria
in humans. Drugs are urgently required to help slow the
University, is changing the way fans, coaches and players enjoy and
spread of SARS-CoV-2 and help seriously affected patients
think about tennis. Using science and data GIG is helping players,
recover more quickly. We have developed an international
coaches, policy makers, fans and the media take their understanding
multidisciplinary team to repurpose existing drugs and
and enjoyment of the game to new heights.
develop new drugs to fight SARS-CoV-2. The team includes
experts in computational chemistry, biochemistry, cell SPORT FOR COMMUNITY COHESION Migrants and refugees
biology, molecular biology, immunology, crystallography, are under-represented in sport due to a range of structural and
and clinicians from USA, Greece and Australia. cultural barriers. Our Change Makers team works in partnership with
Brimbank City Council, Welcoming Australia, Volunteer West and
community groups to build inclusive sports environments for migrants
and refugees in Melbourne’s West. More than 60 Change Makers are
being trained and mentored to co-create and deliver inclusion projects
that address identified needs in local sport clubs and communities.
The Institute for Health and Sport (iHES) integrates
research in sport, exercise, active living and chronic SPORT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE Fear of judgment and body
disease, utilising basic, applied, clinical and translational confidence is a key barrier for girls to participate in sport. Sport
research approaches, via four research programs: uniforms worn in club and school settings play a key role for girls
Clinical & Community Health & Wellbeing; Health & in the self-imagery of ‘readiness’ to play sport. Partnering with the
Inclusive Communities – Sport, Physical Activity and Office for Women in Sport and Recreation and Schools Sport Victoria,
Culture; Mechanisms & Interventions in Health & Disease; we identified aspects of sport uniforms that do and do not make
Sport Performance & Business. girls feel comfortable and confident to play sport. Findings will be
translated into a guide to enhance sport uniform policies at school
sport competitions and in secondary school and sport settings.
14 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 15CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WORLD
SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIES AND LIVEABLE CITIES
AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS
Building Resilient Supporting Industry
and Inclusive Communities Responses to Change
We are working with communities and partners to explore and Providing key partner industries with support to adapt
enhance the complex relationships between First Nations, to constantly changing political, economic, social and
diverse people and communities, built infrastructure and technological landscapes.
natural environments.
CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDIES Transforming modern diets to improve our health and
Resilient and inclusive communities are free from violent sustainability will require substantial shifts. Incorporating
conflict. The Applied Security Science Partnership – better low-cost pulses such as peas can considerably improve quality
known as ASSP - works towards strengthening peace of diets and planetary health. Partnering with Ward McKenzie
through building evidence that is operationalised to this research will provide a deeper understanding of the food
undermine terrorism and violent extremism. ASSP is a properties of dry pea protein to improve processing and make
collaborative partnership between Victoria University, them more viable as sustainable food products.
Defence Science Technology (DST), Victoria Police,
The Australian tourism industry has limited access to
Department of Justice and Community Safety (Vic),
destination level and ‘real time’ data about visitor
the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) and the
behaviour, community sensitivities and the current provision
Board of Imams (Vic).
of transport, accommodation, attractions and services.
Developing an evidence-based framework to support A cross-disciplinary team partnering with nem Australasia
better understanding and more effective management is developing a delivery platform to map destinations to
and measurement of diversity and inclusion across inform tourism investment and planning. This research
emergency management sector organisations has been is supported by the Department of Industry, Innovation
a key outcome from research funded by the Bushfire and and Science.
Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre. This research
Due to recent catastrophic tunnel fires, fire testing of
is a collaboration between national and international
tunnel concrete is paramount. As part of the Nation’s major
Emergency Management and Government agencies.
infrastructure investment, road tunnels are being built at a
pace that would have been unimaginable a few years ago.
For the first time outside of Europe, Victoria University is
using its full-scale structural fire testing capabilities to carry
out extensive testing for the Melbourne Metro and Westgate
Tunnel Projects.
The Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC) aims to create resilient built environments,
globally competitive industries and socially inclusive communities. Researchers are pursing themes of Cultural Diversity;
Urbanisation, Climate Change, Technology-driven Industrial Futures; and the Future of Work.
The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre (SZCC) at Victoria University specialises in law and cultural diversity. Their work is
focussed on: the Australian and international legal sector; programs for people seeking a better understanding of law,
governance and regulation; the promotion of multiculturalism, social cohesion and equality of opportunity.
The School for the Visitor Economy provides support to the hospitality, tourism and event management industries to
address sector issues, growth and sustainability in tourism destinations and visitor-economy–related businesses. Currently we
are focussing on bushfire recovery in our regional communities.
The School for Transport Systems & Civic Infrastructure builds on Australia’s capabilities in transport systems and
civic infrastructure. They work with transport organisations and their communities, to find ways to respond to social, technical
and environmental changes.
16 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 17CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WORLD
INDIGENOUS RESEARCH POLICY TO PRACTICE
AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS
Epistemic justice for Aboriginal PRIORITY FIELDS Enhancing the Evidence Base
and Torres Strait Islanders
The Indigenous research agenda led by Moondani Balluk is
OF RESEARCH for Public Policy
We are achieving strong outcomes for communities through public policy
pursuing epistemic justice outcomes within a framework of Our research investment in our Priority analysis and design in the face of constantly changing economic, political,
decolonisation to create spaces that privilege Blak lives, Blak Fields of Research are based on our physical and social environments.
experiences and Blak1 participation. Such spaces are culturally
safe, provide a collaborative cross-discipline team and enable
national research performance in ERA CASE STUDY
contributions from all groups. Specific areas of research include: (Excellence in Research Australia). When COVID-19 struck, Centre of Policy Studies researchers began
self-determination; displacement and identity; international To address the complex challenges work with public agencies, including State Treasury Departments, the
activist connections; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Skills Commission, and the U.S. Department of Homeland
knowledge and history. in our Areas of Research Focus our Security, to help them understand the pandemics many economic
researchers embrace cross disciplinary dimensions. This work has examined the impacts of the virus, the effects
CASE STUDIES research collaboration. of policies aimed at cushioning its economic impact, the impacts on
The Aboriginal History Archive is an extensive archive of almost national, state and local economic indicators, the consequences for key
500,000 items, collected over the past 45 years by Aboriginal sectors and critical functions, and the potential economic recovery paths.
activist/academic and Moondani Balluk researcher Professor
The Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) overarching research purpose is
Gary Foley. The Archive documents over half a century of
the development and computation of large-scale multisectoral economic
Aboriginal activism in Australia’s contemporary political history
models, and the advancement of the use of these models in supporting the
and adds the Aboriginal voices that are central to this complex
evidence base for the analysis of diverse public policy issues.
era. Documented issues include the emergence, development
and rise of the Aboriginal Black Power, land rights and self- AREA OF RESEARCH FOCUS
determination movements in Australia. The development of the
Archive has received support from Australian Research Council. Education Systems and Practices
Connecting Aboriginal Women to Country 2 through local
for Diverse Populations
healing practices is place-based action research that enables We are creating effective teaching and learning systems, policies and
knowledge sharing and creates cultural safety and identity- practices to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve
building of Aboriginal women. It does this through employing success throughout their life including our own Block Model and first-year
Indigenous methodologies and restorative practices that college co-designed with our students.
are framed in relationality and reciprocity. The research
has created connection to Country for the Aboriginal women CASE STUDY
involved who are Traditional Owners, from the Stolen Entrenched disadvantage persists in Australia, with disadvantage
Generations, are ‘off-Country” and are local Aboriginal increasingly becoming geographically concentrated. Adopting a place-
community capacity builders. based program of research and action The Mitchell Institute are working
with communities to co-create evidence-informed responses to enduring
The Moondani Balluk Academic Unit works across Aboriginal,
challenges of educational and health disadvantage. Partnering with
non-governmental organisations and community to deliver
Brimbank City Council, schools, community organisations and industry,
teaching, research and support through a culturally sensitive
and with the support of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, this project will
environment that nurtures and recreates community based on
create lasting, systemic change to improve outcomes for children and
relationship to land, culture, law and elders.
young people from disadvantaged communities.
The Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy is one of the
1. Blak - ‘In the exhibition catalogue for the 1994 exhibition, Blakness: Blak City country’s leading education and health policy think tanks. Their focus is on
Culture – at ACCA (Australian Centre for Contemporary Art), in collaboration with improving education and health systems so more Australians can engage
Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Co-operative – curators Clare Williamson and Hetti
Perkins wrote: ‘The term ‘Blak’ was developed by Destiny Deacon as part of a with and benefit from these services, supporting a healthier, fairer and more
symbolic but potent strategy of reclaiming colonialist language to create means of productive society.
self-definition and expression’ (Williamson 1994 p20 ).
The Centre for International Research on Education Systems
2. Country - takes in everything within the landscape – landforms, waters, air, trees, (CIRES) focuses on how well education systems work, for whom they work,
rocks, plants, animals, foods, medicines, minerals, stories and special places. People
have custodial responsibilities to care for their Country, to ensure that it continues and how they might be improved to work well for all. Research conducted
in proper order and provides physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment. These has a strong theoretical base and identifies and investigates patterns and
custodial relationships may determine who can speak for particular Country. trends in educational participation, achievement and outcomes.
http://www.visitmungo.com.au/aboriginal-country
18 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 19BRINGING OUR RESEARCH TO LIFE VU RESEARCH: 1000
STRONG VOICES
VU RESEARCH MODEL
To nurture our research strength and grow our reputation,
in 2017 the University created the VU Research Model a
OUR RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM
unique architecture creating a bespoke research ecosystem
to sit alongside our Colleges and provide visibility to our
VU Research is the home to research and research community. The VU Research Model provides
research training at VU. definition to our identity and is supporting the course for
It supports over 1000 researchers and our research future.
HDR students committed to advancing
SHARING OUR DEVELOPING NURTURING OUR human health and wellbeing and building VU RESEARCH SUPPORT TEAMS
EXPERTISE AN INNOVATIVE RESEARCHERS a sustainable world in which to live. VU
Research encompasses Research Institutes
At the heart of VU Research are teams dedicated to
supporting and enabling our research community:
Our local and global reach
will extend by:
AND RESILIENT To grow our research capability
and expertise we will:
and Centres and specialist research
Research Services Office (RSO); the Office for Researcher
Training, Quality and Integrity (ORTQI), the Office for the Pro
RESEARCH support teams. Vice-Chancellor Research Partnerships and VU Innovations.
5 13
Strengthening research Adopt creative and innovative These teams work closely with our research community to
Our research strategy comes to life through
connections, engaging
international research students,
ECOSYSTEM approaches in our programs
and services to support the needs
the leadership and achievements of our
meet the needs of our researchers, students and partners as
they strive to achieve excellence.
Our research and researchers research Institutes, Centres, Schools,
co-developing research programs of emerging, early, mid and senior
and institutional partnerships will be supported through: career researchers.
Flagships and Colleges. Our research COLLEGES
community is committed to excellence
8
The University’s College of Arts & Education, College of
to strengthen our Research Investment in our strengths to
Focus and advance our shared
aspirations.
deliver:
• excellence, in our Priority
14 Support the development,
progression and retention
of women, Aboriginal and Torres
and impact across seven Areas of Research
Focus.
Engineering & Science, First Year College, College of Health
and Biomedicine, College of Sport and Exercise Science,
College of Law and Justice, Victoria University Business
Fields of Research, and the School and Victoria University Polytechnic are vital VU
6 Sharing our individual and
institutional research story
and disseminating our research
University Areas of Research
Focus;
Strait Islanders and members of
under-represented communities
in research at Victoria University.
Research partners that work together to strengthen and
develop new research capability and existing research
priorities.
• impact that contributes to the
findings to maximise our impact
and grow our reputation. UN Sustainable Development
Goals and Planetary Health. 15 Co-design and deliver high
quality research training to
7 Connecting our research
and researchers to Victoria
University’s teaching to benefit the
9 Strengthening connections
across organisational
support our graduate research
students to become independent
critical thinkers and decision-
student experience and quality of boundaries to create makers contributing to local
our programs. transdisciplinary communities and global challenges and
of practice that will realise new partnerships.
potential and find innovative
solutions to complex problems.
16 Make accessible our
graduate research programs
10 Expanding our research value
and support of the needs of
industry and businesses in our
and develop skills to enhance
employability and career
pathways.
region by investing in our dual
sector advantage.
11 Developing and continually
improving the services that
support our research and research
training.
12 Research infrastructure that
facilitates research
excellence and is available to our
research partners.
20 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 21PROMISE
For the beneficiaries of For our research partners For our place-based
our research, the people, and funders who value the community who provide us
communities, businesses, importance of research to with essential understanding
We will connect and draw industry and government that creating new knowledge and and insights and who we aim
we serve we will: understanding, that will fuel to benefit from our research,
support from a vast network. Retain accountability for our research – we will innovation and drive change, we will:
Our relationships and think about legacy from the first moment to the
we will: Engage with you as part of our research
last;
partnerships will be honoured Design our research with acknowledgement and Be trustworthy, accessible and relevant to support
community, consulting with you on our research
ideas;
understanding of those who can benefit from our the priorities and challenges of community,
through our promises; research and those who may be harmed by it; government and industry; Work with you respectfully and diligently to
understand circumstances and conditions that are
promises that we make Conduct ethical research and conduct research
ethically;
Build and maintain our relationships so that we are a
valued partner for each organisation;
specific to your place;
Ensure our research is informed by local
individually and collectively, Contribute to understanding and addressing local, Ensure we are contemporary, responsive and conditions;
national and global challenges and through this ethical in designing and conducting our research;
as researchers and as a impact the wellbeing of our planet; Create cross disciplinary research collaboration within
Adapt our research methods, approach and design to
deliver sustainable solutions;
Ensure that our research outcomes are shared and our teams to address complex challenges and provide
University and that are infused accessible. creative solutions; Engage with you actively during our research and
communicate our research findings.
with our principles. Use our resources and funding efficiently and
ethically.
For our research For our participants who For our researchers whose For our higher degree
collaborators who give of themselves to expertise, creativity and research candidates who
complement our research advance knowledge and dedication are the essence of are the next generation
capabilities and extend our understanding, we will: VU research we will: of research-qualified
research capacity, we will: Ensure your contribution makes a positive Support you to undertake responsible research; professionals we will:
difference in the world; Maintain our institutional commitment to research
Welcome you into our research community; Offer pathways into research degrees;
Engage with you sensitively and justly through the focus;
Develop our relationship through trust and shared Engage with you as essential members of our
entire lifecycle of research; Create and build opportunities for research and
purpose; research community;
Conduct ourselves ethically and with integrity; researchers to develop and grow;
Ensure that we stay connected through regular Provide outstanding supervision and mentorship;
and open communication; Value your perspective and experience as a Promote a vibrant research culture and systems
research participant; that prioritise collaborative, applied and Support you in an environment that enables you
Work together through the lifecycle of our joint to undertake responsible research;
Be respectful of your time and contribution; translational research;
research from conception through to delivery; Provide opportunities for you to benefit from
Communicate with you clearly using shared Promote our researchers, our research
Acknowledge your contributions fairly through our research networks and gain research
language that we all understand. innovations, discoveries and impact – locally and
formal and informal mechanisms. experience in industry, government or community
globally;
organisations;
Strengthen the connectedness of our researchers to
achieve transdisciplinary outcomes. Enhance your career choices.
22 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 23MEASURING OUR SUCCESS
We will be a national research leader in addressing the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and SUCCESS INDICATORS
Planetary Health, fostering solutions to challenges
impacting the wellbeing of people, place and planet. QUALITY
2025 TARGET
We will be Australia’s leading sport university with Times Higher Education World Ranking
a commitment to sport for innovation, inspiration – Citation Rank Top 300 (World) & Top 20 (Australia)
community cohesion and social change. The Times Higher Education World Rankings is one of the world’s
Researchers will see Victoria University as a place of most widely used university ranking systems based on fields of
research and reputation.
opportunity, that challenges traditional research boundaries,
requires deep research focus, team based research and 2025 TARGET
commits to research with impact. Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
– 80% of VU’s assessed Fields of Research (4 digit level)
Our graduate research students will be recognised as
rated at world standard or above
independent critical thinkers and decision-makers that have ERA is a national evaluation of the University’s strength in fields of
the skills and knowledge to contribute to local and global research.
challenges.
Community, Government and Industry Partners will choose IMPACT
to work with us because of our collaborative, relationship 2025 TARGET
focussed approach and ability to support their priorities, drive National Impact Assessment – 95% of VU’s assessed Fields
innovation and inform change. of Research rated at medium and/or high impact
The Australian Research Council National Impact Assessment
We will set ambitious targets to support our commitment to evaluates the translation of the University’s research into
making a difference for our communities and will track and economic, social, environmental and cultural impacts.
measure our success and the health of our research ecosystem
in a number of ways:
UNITED NATIONS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
2025 TARGET
Times Higher Education Impact Ranking Top 100 Globally
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings is a global system
that evaluates universities contribution to the United Nations’
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research is a significant
but not sole component of the evaluation.
IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK HEALTH INDICATORS
The Research Strategy will be operationalized
Proportion of research contributing to the United Nations
through Implementation Plans that are activated
Sustainable Development Goals
within VU Research, Colleges and other organizational
areas of the University. The success of the Strategy External Research Income
will be measured through the achievement of these Research Student (HDR) Completions
plans with ambitious targets against key performance Research Student (HDR) Timeliness of Completions
indicators that will support the growth of the Research Student (HDR) Quality of Completions
University’s national and global reputation.
Higher Degree Research Thesis Quality
Implementation planning will operate on an annual
Research Citations
cycle and will be centred on the 4 pillar priority areas:
Contributing to our World; Nurturing our Researchers; Research Publications
Developing an Innovative and Resilient Research Priority Fields of Research rated at World Standard or above.
Ecosystem; Sharing our Expertise. High-level Researcher satisfaction
implementation plans will inform localized activities. Research Student satisfaction
Implementation planning will address what success Research Partner satisfaction
will look like for each of the priorities at the end of the
2025 as well as specific targets for Health Indicators. Health indicators and targets will be developed
through implementation planning.
24 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 25RESEARCH PARTNER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Academy of the Social Sciences Basketball Victoria Department of Energy Networks Association Instat Limited NEM Australasia SECiM - Component 1 Turning Point
in Australia Communications and the Arts/ LTD
Bega Cheese Limited Islamic Council of Victoria Netball Victoria Second Spectrum Inc UNICEF - Syria Country Office
ACER Subcontract Strategy and Research Division/ Enterprise Solutions Centre
Benevolence Australia Bureau of Communciations and Jobs Queensland Nielsen Sports SGS Economics and Planning UNICEF-Bujumbura/Burundi
Program
ACT Government Education and Arts Research Pty Ltd
Bioscreen Juvenile Diabetes Research Nous Group Pty Ltd United Energy Pty Ltd
Training Directorate Ernst & Young
Department of Economic Foundation Australia Shanghai Academy of Social
Bistone NSW Department of Education United Nations Population
Activated Water Technologies Development, Jobs, Transport European Union Erasmus+ Science
Latrobe City Council Fund
Pty Ltd Bluearth Foundation and Resources (Victoria) NSW Department of Industry
European Union Erasmus+: Sidney Myer Fund
Lord Mayor’s Charitable United Pacific Industries
Akvotek Pty Ltd Boobie Bikkies Pty Ltd Department of Education Youth in Action programme NSW Department of Premier &
Foundation (LMCF) Société des Produits Nestlé
Cabinet United States Department of
An Binh Paper Company Brimbank City Council Department of Education Exercise & Sports Science
Major Projects Victoria Solar Citizens Australia Transportation
(Tasmania) Australia NSW Treasury
Applied Economics Brooklite Pty Ltd trading as 100% Renewable
Maribyrnong City Council US Chamber of Commerce
Department of Education and Fair Work Commission Office of Economic and Community Campaign
APR Intern Bushfire and Natural Hazards
Training, Victoria Marsden Jacobs Demographic Research (US) Vianex S.A.
CRC Ltd FIFA South East Water
Aquation Pty Ltd
Department of Environment, Medical Research Future Fund Office of Training & Skills Vic TAFE Association Fund
Bushfire CRC Ltd Fire & Rescue NSW Sport and Recreation Victoria
Arctic Snap Pty Ltd Land, Water and Planning Commission, Department for
Melbourne City Mission VicHealth
CANADIAN EMBASSY Fitogether Inc Industry and Skills Sport Australia: Move it
Asian Development Bank Department of Foreign Melbourne City of Literature Australia National Funding VICSEG New Futures
CannPal Pty Ltd Affairs and Trade, Australian Foodbank Victoria OMNIBLEND PTY LTD
Attorney-General’s Department Program
Government (DFAT) Melbourne Victory Football Victoria Police
Carers Victoria Incorporated Ford Foundation Beijing OPEC Systems Pty Ltd
Auspicious Arts Inc Club Sports Medicine Australia
Department of Health Victorian Curriculum and
Catapult Sports Pty Ltd Foreign Affairs and Orient Foods and Packaging
Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) (Australian Government) Melbourne Water Corporation St. Vincent’s Hospital Assessment Authority
Central Highlands Water International Trade, Joint Stock Company
Australia-Japan Foundation Metro Tunnel (Tunnel and Melbourne Victorian Department of
Department of Health (VIC) Canada Origin Foundation
Centre for Multicultural Youth Stations PPP) Cross Yarra Stagono Pty Ltd (Norfolk Foods) Education & Training
Australian Building Codes Department of Home Affairs Fred Hollows Foundation
Issues Partnership D&C Joint Venture Oxford Economics Pty Ltd
Board Stepathlon lifestyle Pvt. Ltd Victorian Department of
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Department of Homeland Freedom from Violence
Mighty Serious Pty Ltd Oxford Policy Management Ltd Education and Early Childhood
Australian Centre for Security Stonnington City Council
CHAMPION DATA PTY LTD FrieslandCampina Pty Ltd Development (DEECD)
International Agricultural Ministry of Finance, Planning Pappas Family Donation
Department of Industry, Surecell Australia Pty Ltd
Research Cisco Systems Funds Frontier Economics and Economic Development
Paul Ramsey Foundation
Victorian Govt, Department of
Innovation and Science Sustainability Victoria Health and Human Services
Australian Coal Research City of Amsterdam (Commonwealth) Fusion Sport - Innovation Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Perpetual Philantrhopic (DHHS)
Limited Connections Thailand Swimming Australia Ltd
City of Ballarat Department of Infrastructure Services
Victorian Institute of Sport
Australian Council for Health and Regional Development Gencor Pacific MITRE Corporation - US Sydney Metro
City of Maribyrnong Peter McMullin
Physical Education and Victorian Legal Services Board
Department of Social Services GHD Services Pty Moreland City Council Tecniplast Australia PTY Ltd
Recreation (ACHPER) City of Melbourne Pinches Industries Pty Ltd
Victorian Managed Insurance
Department of State Global Hosts Pty Ltd t/a Movember Foundation Telstra
Australian Curriculum, City of Whittlesea Polyglot Theatre Authority
Development, Infrastructure SportsHosts
Assessment and Reporting Murray PHN Limited Tennis Australia
City West Water and Planning Portable Australia Pty Ltd Viet Nhat Vina Ptry Ltd
Authority Government of Kerala
National Association of Field Tennis Victoria
COBALT DESIGN PTY LTD Department of Trade, Business Power and Water Corporation VSAID Governance for Inclusive
Australian Energy Market Graeme Wise Experience Administrators
and Innovation Northern The Australian Cultural Fund Grouth (GIG) Program
Operator CoHealth and Angelina Wise Powercor
Territory Government National Broadcasting
The Bryan Foundation Wallis Consulting Group Pty Ltd
Australian Football League Committee for Ballarat Inc. Grape and Wine R&D Telecommunications PricewaterhouseCoopers
Department of Training and Corporation Commission (NBTC) Thailand The Environmental Group Ward McKenzies Funds
Australian Government Water Commonwealth Dept of Workforce Development (WA) Professional Referee
Limited
Fund Education Sci and Training Greenfleet National Centre for Student Organisation Water Research Australia
Department of Treasury and Equity in Higher Education The International Tennis Limited
Australian Health Practitioner Commonwealth Scientific Finance (Northern Territory) Gymnastics Australia Limited Public Record Office of Victoria
(NCSEHE) Federation, UK
Regulation Agency and Industrial Research Punjab State Institute of Sports Western Bulldogs
Department of Treasury Hawk-Eye Innovations
Organisation National Council for Applied The Jack Brockhoff Foundation
Australian Institute for Western Australia Queensland Dept of Education, Western Bulldogs Community
HCF Health and Medical Economic Research
Musculoskeletal Science Country Chef Bakeries Pty Ltd The New Zealand Merino Foundation
Dept of Infrastructure (VIC) Research Foundation Training and Employment
(AIMSS) National Disability Insurance Company Limited
CPA Australia Funds Western Edge Youth Arts
Dept of Innovation, Industry, Headspace - National Youth Agency (NDIA)
Australian Institute of Sport The Norman Wettenhall
Cricket Australia Science and Research, Mental Health Foundation Ltd Queensland Government Western Region Water
National Health and Medical Foundation
Australian Mathematical Australian Government Queensland Treasury Corporation
Cricket Victoria Heart Foundation - Future Research Council
Sciences Institute (AMSI) The Product Makers (TPM)
Dept of Justice (VIC) Leader Fellowship Real Technology Australia Pty Western Victoria Primary Health
Cunningham Lindsey National Heart Foundation of Australian Pty Ltd
Australian Paralympic Ltd Network Limited
Dept of Premier and Cabinet Helen Macpherson Smith Trust Australia
Committee Limited Cycling Victoria The Remediation Group Pty Ltd
(Vic) (HMST) Rebecca L Cooper Medical Westgate Tunnel Project & John
National Industrial Clusters The Thelma and Paul
Australian Podiatry Education & Dairy Innovation Australia Research Foundation Limited Holland & CPB Contractors
Dept of State Development Hope Street Youth and Family Development Program
Research Foundation Limited Constantinou Foundation -
Services Reclink Australia WorkSafe Victoria
Dept of Treasury and Finance National Institute for Health Donation
Australian Research Council Defence Science and Human Performance Research World Anti-Doping Agency
and Welfare, Finland Research Institute for Global The Trustee for the
Australian Rotary Health Rotary Technology Organisation, Diabetes Australia Network (HPRnet) (WADA)
Australia National Institute for Health Value Chains, UIBE Construction and Building
Fund Diabetes Australia Research Ian Potter Foundation Unions Superannuation Fund World Cancer Research Fund
Research Research Institute on Social
Australian Sporting Goods Defence Science Institute Trust (CBUS) International
Infotecture Development National Institutes of Health Cohesion
Association (ASGA) Deloitte Access Economics Pty Disability Sport and Recreation The Walsh Fellowships Wyndham Basketball Ltd.
Ltd Infrastructure Victoria National Priorities Pool 2018 ROBINS FOODS PTY LTD
Australian Sports Commission DorsaVi Pty Ltd Australia Track160 Ltd Wyndham City Council
(ASC) Dennis Family Corporation Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Natural Aqua Solutions Pty Ltd Sano Health Pty Ltd
Driving Social Inclusion Through Group TRINH MUOI PTY LTD YSAS Pty Ltd
Australian Water Recycling (DFC) Sport and Physical Activity Neami National Ltd. Scanlon Foundation
26 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STRATEGY 2021-2025 27VU Research research@vu.edu.au Published date: October 2020
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