CDU research rated world-class

The Excellence in Research Assessment (ERA) of nine fields of research conducted by CDU has found they are performing at world standard or above.

The ERA evaluation is conducted by the Australian Research Council and compares Australia's university research effort against international benchmarks, creating incentives to improve the quality of research and identifying emerging research areas and opportunities for further development.

CDU’s work in the areas of Medical and Health Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Environmental Science and Management, and Ecology were identified as performing well above world standard.

The university’s work in Environmental Sciences, Ecological Applications, Biological Sciences, Zoology, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Medical Microbiology, Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine, Public Health and Health Services and Information and Computing Sciences were performing above world standard.

Its research effort in Policy and Administration was identified at world standard.

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor John Finlay-Jones said the results were very encouraging.

“We might be a small university, but these results show our research is up there with the best in the world. We have a dedicated team of scientists and researchers that is delivering world-class advances in science and knowledge,” Professor Finlay-Jones said.

“We also are in such a great part of the world to be conducting research. The diversity of Northern Australia and its rich natural environment, and looking at ways it best be managed, is a major research strength of CDU through its Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods.

“The Menzies School of Health Research has been Australia’s leader in Indigenous and tropical health research for a number of years now delivering world-class breakthroughs in areas such as diabetes, child health and emerging infectious diseases,” he said.

Professor Finlay-Jones said one of the great strengths of CDU’s research approach was its collaborations with a wide variety of key stakeholders.

“Our researchers might be top-notch, but no one ever has a monopoly on knowledge. We work with a diverse and knowledgeable range of partners ranging from research hubs and alliances, to industry bodies and fellow universities around the world.

“This helps give our research an increased impact and resonance that would be hard to achieve just on our own,” Professor Finlay-Jones said.