The Gold Coast’s Bond University is throwing open its doors next week to highlight some of the groundbreaking research work being done at the University with impacts reaching far beyond pure academic research.
Research Week from September 2-6 will carry the theme Building Research Capability with a view to fostering the next generation of early career researchers.
Bond University Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Brailsford said the exercise would allow Bond to showcase some of the world-class research being carried out and promote further awareness and knowledge of research capabilities and expertise.
"There is a public perception that academic often has little relevance to people's ordinary lives," said Professor Brailsford.
"Nothing could be further from the truth, and one of the aims of Research Week is to demystify what is being done by some of our creative and innovative researchers as they delve into areas of study that in most cases have very real downstream practical outcomes.
"Bond University is committed to contributing to society through meaningful and applicable research that advances humanity and satisfies curiosity."
Research Week 2013 will celebrate the launch of Bond's new Research Strategic Plan 2014-2018, which aims to reinforce Bond University's role as a leader in niche centres of recognised research excellence that have impact at local, national and international community levels.
Research Week 2013 celebrates Bond University's next generation of researchers, Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and Early Career Researchers. The week’s activities showcase the strength of newer researchers and recognise the talent and vitality they bring to Bond University.
Professor Brailsford said Bond University’s research continued to grow in a number of areas.
"Our external research income has grown by 53.5 percent from 2009 to 2012,” he said.
"During 2012 our research publication output has also continued to grow – increasing 14 per cent on our 2011 return."
Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) results released in December 2012 confirmed Bond is delivering high-quality research activity and has pockets of research excellence that are world-class or above. Out of all the 2012 Australian Universities assessed, research at Bond University was ranked 24th – an increase of four four places from 2010 results.
"We have established new university research centres and expanded the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine which has attracted international researchers," he said.
"One of the impressive areas of research is assessment and treatment of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder with a view to better understanding the traumatic problems faced by these children and to provide better support in both the school and home environments.
"In the field of sports science, researchers have developed greater understanding of training and recovery, and performance enhancement strategies for elite athletes that will ultimately lead to improved health and recuperation techniques that can be applied to the entire community.
"In the area of arson research, the work is leading to a better appreciation of the motivations and psychological difficulties of adult and juvenile fire-setters and the development of effective treatment programs for those with a fire-setting history."
Professor Brailsford said Bond University's niche areas are exercise and sports science, evidence based health care, and law. Emerging areas are applied psychology, creative media, and sustainable development.
"Our goal is to enhance and enable access to world class research infrastructure in Australia and internationally," he said.
"We want to deliver world class innovation through collaborative engagement in research projects with industry, business, government and the community.
"Our Research Week program will help to inform a wider public of what is being done in the research field and to better understand the implications of this research to their every day lives."