Macquarie University Research Strategic Plan 2009-11

VISION:

At age 50 (in 2014) Macquarie will be ranked among the top eight research intensive universities in Australia, and amongst the top 200 research intensive universities internationally.

MISSION:

To establish a pervasive research culture across all areas of the University, and in particular to achieve internationally and nationally leading research in selected concentrations of research excellence, by maximising the institution’s intellectual and physical resources and by maintaining a continuous improvement framework.

1

GOAL 1: To establish at Macquarie a pervasive research culture across all areas of the University

• OBJECTIVE 1.1 By 2014 to increase the number of research active staff to 80% of total, and enhance research performance across the University so as to be among the top 8 research universities in Australia

[support for grass-roots through MQ New Staff Grants, MQ Research Development Grants, OSP, APA & MQRES, MQ Research Fellowships, support of ARC 50/50 ARF/QEII and APF, RIBG and MQ Strategic Infrastructure Scheme; workload models and PMS; Distinguished Professors; upgrading IRIS- reporting compliance]

• OBJECTIVE 1.2 To achieve increases in research funding, both via competitive grants and non-competitive sources, at national research-intensive University levels

[MQRDG and MQ Linkage Projects Seeding Grants, MQVCIF, MQRF are aimed at leveraging external funding; MQ Safety Net Grants continue support; funding for ARC LIEF bids through MQSIS; substantially enhanced Research Office staffing levels] 2

GOAL 2: To achieve international and national prominence in research in selected concentrations of research excellence

• OBJECTIVE 2.1 To strengthen existing and emerging areas of research excellence through targeted recruitment

[CORES are selected through analysis of research performance of existing staff and strategic opportunities; COREs are about recruiting new staff of the highest quality; CORE areas are expected to graduate through MQ Research Centres to nationally recognised and funded research centres]

• OBJECTIVE 2.2 Enhance research performance and standing of selected existing/emerging Concentration of Research Excellence (CORE) areas, and promote impact (on the community) as a valued performance measure

[Support for development of CORE areas through MQRC,MQ Research Innovation Fund; priority APA and MQRes, Future Fellowships, support for ARC CoE/other major external funding bids] 3

GOAL 3: To maximise research outcomes by maintaining the number of high quality HDR commencing candidates, and increasing completions • OBJECTIVE 3.1 Maintain the number of commencing HDR candidates at an average of 400 p.a. in 2009-2011

[Faculty targets, recruitment underpinned by major HDR scholarship program incl. 52 APAs and 200 MQR in 2009; balance between domestic and international]

• OBJECTIVE 3.2 To increase the number of HDR completions to 70% of cohort enrolments p.a. by 2011 (target 2009: 260 completions; 2011 300)

[Faculty targets, supervisor training, progression management, underpinned through FFM by allocations based on in-time load and completions - $150k for PhD in experimental science completing in 4 yrs] 4

GOAL 4: To be a significant contributor to the nation’s economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being • OBJECTIVE 4.1 To implement effective research policies and procedures to maximise research end-user engagement, knowledge transfer and commercialisation

[MQ Linkage Projects Seeding Grants; VC Innovation Fellowships; support for CRC bids and major tenders; restructured Commercialisation Office; broadened criteria for MQ Innovation Awards; External Engagement and Knowledge Transfer Audit]

• OBJECTIVE 4.2 To improve research links in Macquarie’s local geographical environment (North Ryde, Sydney, and NSW)

[partnerships with local industry/government: ASAM Macquarie University Private Hospital; Cochlear relocation to campus-Hearing Hub; Anglo-Australian Observatory; APAF NSW Govt] 5

GOAL 5: To increase Macquarie’s international research collaborations, outreach and global impact • OBJECTIVE 5.1 To increase the University’s international profile and standing by 2014

[focus on quality in research publication incl. journal/publisher quality, citation analysis and benchmarking, esteem-factor data collection; strengthening international research collaboration incl. targeting international research funding; expansion of joint PhD programs through co-tutelles and formal Joint PhD program agreements] 6

• •

Research Active Definition

Be author or co-author of at least 5 peer-reviewed (weighted) publications in the past 5 years that satisfy the requirements for the following HERDC publication classifications:

- Research book A1 (weighted 5); - Chapter in research book B1 (weighted 1); - Refereed journal article C1 (weighted 1); - Refereed conference paper E1 (weighted 1)

Have the demonstrated capacity to translate research outcomes into teaching and learning by way of measures approved by the Dean of Faculty/Division including but not restricted to:

- HDR student supervision that has lead to a completion in the past two years, or current supervision of HDR student(s) - Other participation over the past two years in research training, including coursework and Honours programs with research training or preparation components - Current satisfactory progression towards completion of a Research Higher Degree; - Delivery of research-based professional education and training; or research-based community service and enterprise.

7