Research news

Due to space constraints we couldn’t include them all here, but I encourage you to check out the media releases on this year’s achievements in our Media Centre.

Our Research Impact Clusters are forging ahead with existing projects, and planning new ones for 2024. Our reputation for research excellence continues to grow, as evidenced by the appointment of two more of our professors to the Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts, and the range and relevance of our projects to today’s – and tomorrow’s – world is attracting top-class students to join our journey.

Our researchers’ work has drawn substantial external funding and attracted a range of respected collaborative research partners. And at institutional level, we’ve made significant leaps in both the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and the Times Higher Education (THE) World University rankings. This is particularly welcome news given the importance of reputation to today’s prospective students, who consider this a key factor when selecting their university.

Thank you all for your excellent work throughout the year – I look forward to hearing about, and seeing for myself, more of your research projects and programs in the coming year.

In the meantime, enjoy a safe and happy festive season with your friends and family.

Best wishes,
Professor Mary Spongberg
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Academic Capability)

We’ve also released the Interim Sustainability Strategy, which commits the University to net zero from Scope 1 and 2 sources by 2035. Thanks to all who contributed to the submission, report and strategy. We look forward to sharing our results once they’re released next year.

Soon we’ll be collecting nominations for next year’s Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS), which will enable us to submit up to 400 academic contacts and 400 employer contacts to QS. The rankings agency will then ask academics around the world to name the institutions in the top 30 internationally and top 10 domestically for their field/s of expertise. They’ll also ask employers to name the institutions producing the best graduates.

Why are rankings so important?

Students are increasingly using rankings when choosing an institution, as are employers for recruitment, industry when seeking potential partners, and media when framing stories. So they’re pretty significant all round – and it's most important that we ensure the rankings systems recognise the excellent work we do as an institution. In particular, rankings give us perspective on how our teaching and research is perceived externally, and they also open up important funding avenues and opportunities for exciting new research projects.

How can I help to boost the rankings?

To collect nominations, we’ve created separate forms for academics and employers, and a bulk upload tool for anyone wanting to nominate more academic or employer contacts – please keep an eye out for an email from your Dean with links to these tools and a contact in case you’d like some help with it. The few minutes you take to complete the forms will really help the University – and you!

Please provide as many contacts as you can (with their consent) – particularly any international academic contacts and local employer contacts. Submission deadline is Friday 15 December 2023, but the earlier you do can do this, the better.

 You can also:

• nominate colleagues from other institutions and employers for QS surveys
• keep your Southern Cross, Scopus and Web of Science academic profiles current
• reference ‘Southern Cross University’ in all by-lines and use the logo in presentations
• engage the community with your research, e.g., through social media, webinars, The Conversation

When the University looks good, we all look good!

Keen to learn more about local housing requirements? Then don’t miss the Bring it on Home exhibition! This display explores new ideas and development models for housing design and construction as we move along with rebuilding the Northern Rivers.

Where:
Living Lab Northern Rivers shopfront
11 Woodlark Street, Lismore

When:
Tuesday – Thursday weekly
1:00-4:00pm

Public program

If the exhibition has whetted your appetite for more, you might like to join a workshop that Living Lab Northern Rivers is running in conjunction with The Northern Rivers Community Foundation.

Here are just a few:

How high? Thinking through a successful house raising project

If you’re considering raising your home to protect against future floods, this workshop will help you to think through the critical issues in order to make your project successful.

When:          
Wednesday 6 December (10:00am)

Where:         
Murwillumbah

Duration:      
1 hour

Learn more
Register now

Given that continued excellence in research is critical to the University’s future, we’ve put strategies in place to:

• actively support research
• support researcher development
• recruit talented researchers

To achieve research excellence, we need a deep understanding of what constitutes excellence in our researchers, and provide them with the means to do this.

What’s the Research Productive Dashboard?

The Research Productive Dashboard allows researchers to view and understand their annual research metrics, which inform their research productive status.

It’s the second component of a suite of initiatives designed to foster and reward research excellence at Southern Cross University. Delivery of the Research Productive Dashboard follows the release of the first initiative, the Research Productive Definition, earlier this year.

How can using the Research Productive Dashboard help me?

The Research Productive Dashboard makes it easy for you to manage your research data and monitor your metrics, including the number of your publications, citations and HDR students.

Doing this will highlight any areas where Southern Cross University can support your research and your professional development as a researcher.

How can I access the Research Productive Dashboard?

You can find all the information you’ll need to set up your account and access your dashboard on the Research website

What if I have questions about the Research Productive Dashboard?

If you have any queries or feedback it should be directed to wendy.scott@scu.edu.au

Technical support

If you need technical assistance while using IRMA NextGen, reach out to the dedicated support team at research.irma@scu.edu.au.

Grant enquiries
Please direct any questions on the grants to: DVCR.Internalgrants@scu.edu.au

Submitting applications for internal grant schemes
Follow these steps through our newly-released IRMA NextGen interface:

• Log in to IRMA
  Log in to your IRMA account
• Navigate to NextGen
  Once logged in, click on NextGen (located in the top right-hand corner of your screen)
• Access Contracts & Grants
  Within the NextGen interface, find and click on the Contracts & Grants tile
• Initiate Your application
  From the Contracts & Grants section, select Add or Create a new coversheet to start the application process
• Choose your program
  For this step you'll need to select the relevant program from the dropdown list. As you make your selection, the information section on the right-hand side of the screen will automatically display the schemes applicable to the program you’ve chosen.
• Complete your application
  To complete your application, follow the prompts and provide the necessary information

We’ve prepared a comprehensive user guide with detailed instructions and useful tips on how to navigate and complete your application – please refer to it for additional assistance.

For any questions or further assistance, please reach out to our dedicated support team at DVCR.Internalgrants@scu.edu.au

With the updated National Statement (2023) coming into effect on 1 January 2024, these are changing times for Human Research Ethics both at the University and across the sector.

We now have the newly-established Low Risk Committee (LRC) and a thriving Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for academic staff and HDR students to reach out to with any Human Research Ethics questions or concerns. The door of the Ethics Office is always open!

Updated National Statement (2023)

All research active staff and students with current Ethical approval for projects, as well as those who are planning to apply, should review the updated National Statement on the NHMRC website.

A summary of the updates, which include revisions to Chapter 2.1 and Section 5, is also available on the NHMRC website.

The Ethics Office is busily preparing for the enactment of the updates, and will advise these before the end of the year.

Upcoming HREC and LRC meeting dates

In 2024 the HREC will move to monthly meetings, while the Low Risk Committee will continue to meet and review applications fortnightly.

The HREC Meeting dates 2024 are now available on the website.

Watch this space for the release of 2024 Low Risk Committee meeting dates. 

Big thanks to all involved in the development and facilitation of the pilot program: Professor Anne Graham, Associate Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Associate Professor Joanne Oakes and Dr Zachary Crowley-McHattan, as well as everyone who participated this year.

The program:

• creates a safe collegial space and network for academic staff to overcome challenges associated with re-establishing research by working closely with senior academic mentors in a similar field of research
• provides tools and resources for defining clear goals in a research plan, and progressing articles for publication in high-quality journals
• enables guidance and advice from research executive
• addresses areas of leadership in authorship, collaboration and publishing

Here’s what three of the pilot participants say about how the program has helped their research:

I am very grateful to have been part of the inaugural SCU Research Re-establishment program. As part of the program, I was connected with a mentor who has been crucial in refocusing my research and establishing collaborations with industry partners and international researchers. As a direct outcome of this program, I successfully finalised and submitted a long-pending paper based on data I collected last year. Currently, it's under review in a Q1 journal. The diverse range of workshops led by various researchers provided invaluable insights. I aim to maintain this positive momentum, utilise my acquired skills, and actively seek competitive funding for ongoing collaborations. Thanks to Professor Mary Spongberg, and the team involved for putting together this invaluable program.

Associate Professor Sam Lapkin, Faculty of Health

The research re-establishment program afforded me the time to think deeply about my work and how I can shape my research trajectory. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting regularly with my mentor - a constant source of inspiration and support. It was also fantastic to connect with and learn from dedicated researchers at SCU. I came away from the program with a clear research vision, invaluable advice, and a plan of action that will undoubtably drive me for years to come. Thank you to all those involved in making this program a success!

Dr Danielle Griffani, Faculty of Science and Engineering

 I’m very grateful to have participated in the SCU Research Re-establishment program, where the encouragement and training motivated me to think deeply about my work and trajectory, reassessing, refocusing and consolidating my research. Highlights were my mentor’s support, advice and networking with international researchers, and connecting with and learning from dedicated SCU researchers and other participants.

Through this program I worked on and resubmitted a co-authored paper (now published), and finalised and submitted a long-pending paper, both to Q1 journals. I came away with a clear vision, invaluable skills, a plan of action and positive momentum that I’m confident will drive me for years to come. A personal thanks to Professor Mary Spongberg, and the team for putting together this invaluable program.”

I appreciate the faith SCU placed in the participants, backing this up with tangible resources. I believe the progress I’ve made on my research, increased focus and productivity, and firm plans for the next stages of my research would not have happened without this program.

Dr Mitchell Longstaff, Faculty of Health

On completion, participants join a program alumni network to support progression of their research goals, maintains connections with colleagues and with internal/external networks, and gives access to guest speakers. This program will be offered again in 2024 – so watch this space for news on when.

Dr Ben Sykes named among top 2% of researchers in Veterinary Science

Congratulations to Dr Ben Sykes, who’s joined the Southern Cross University team developing the Veterinary Science curriculum. Ben was recently named in the list of the top 2% of researchers in Veterinary Science according to citation number, in a study performed by Elsevier and researchers at Stanford University. The top 2% is calculated on field-weighted metrics, which compares researchers working within similar research fields.

Let’s get to know a little more about Ben and his research:

What’s your field of scientific specialty?

Stomach ulcers in horses.

I didn’t know horses got stomach ulcers! Where does your interest in this spring from?

Stomach ulcers are a really common problem that affects horses from high performance athletes like racehorses and endurance horses through to those kept for pleasure and riding.

As an equine veterinarian I encounter these every day in practice, and as a researcher they’re very challenging. Despite 25 years of intensive research from investigators around the world, many questions – both as to why they occur and how to best treat and manage them – remain unanswered.

Can you tell us about your research journey so far?

I’ve been researching the subject for a bit over 10 years now, including clinical research into different treatment options and my PhD, which looked at how better to use omeprazole (the drug most commonly used to treat stomach ulcers in horses).

My research has allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from many different countries, such as the USA, UK, and Iran. Another opportunity my research outputs have given me is to regularly present at conferences around the world, as interest in the disease is high. That’s understandable, given how common it is and the impact it has on horse welfare and performance.

How does Southern Cross University support your research?

I’m new to Southern Cross University, having joined in July this year as part of the curriculum development team for the new veterinary degree. It’s all very open at the moment, but it’s already clear that there are lots of opportunities with a unique Southern Cross University flavour, such as the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine. I’m looking forward to seeing how these develop alongside the establishment of the veterinary degree.

Dr Bruce Hodgson – latest research into fishery ecosystems and fish stock sustainability

Watching Jacques Cousteau’s breathtaking television documentaries began a lifelong fascination with oceanographic ecology for the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s Dr Bruce Hodgson, whose latest work addresses the crucial area of sustainability of fish stocks.

‘I’d graduated with a double major in Chemistry and Physics, which led to water quality monitoring,’ he says. ‘Then Jacques Cousteau’s oceanographic adventures inspired my interest in marine ecology, so I did a PhD in Marine Ecology with the UNSW Zoology Department.’

But that was only the beginning. Dr Hodgson’s latest work, An analytical solution to ecosystem-based FMSY using trophic transfer efficiency of prey consumption to predator biological production, shows how a fishery could mimic natural fishery functions by maintaining predator production in the system, which stabilises the fishery ecosystem.

After attending a workshop on the University of British Columbia’s fishery Ecopath Model, Dr Hodgson could see the solution to ecosystem-based fishery mortality (EBFM), which had been developed by the Fisheries and Agriculture Organisation, who manage European Fisheries as part of the United Nations.

Dr Hodgson’s research for this paper found that EBFM fishing mortalities are estimated to provide long-term sustainable fish catches. Average fishing mortalities were estimated as 0.24±0.03 for fish such as sardines, and 0.27±0.03 for the pelagic predators such as King Fish. At these catch rates, fishing is not expected to affect the fishery biomass due to supporting the production of both prey and predator species. The rates are applicable for fish stocks anywhere the EBFM principle can be applied.

As with all in-depth studies, Dr Hodgson’s research has prompted more questions, which has him already considering the direction of his next potential study.

‘The next step would be to apply the EBFM approach to estimate recovery times for overfished fisheries,’ he says. ‘The FAO has been promoting reduction of fishing mortalities for European Fisheries. However, recovery has been limited due to discard mortality of unwanted fish taken in nets, called by-catch. The problem is expected to be solved as researchers are currently investigating how to reduce the by-catch mortality.

‘I’m hoping to investigate that, and to be able to add those findings to the overall fish stocks management picture,’ he says

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The publications delve into significant new spaces including in posthuman research, arts-based methods of inquiry and feminist autoethnography.

Going beyond traditional literature, this collection marks a transformative shift in education research. If you weren’t able to attend, you can see the highlights from this joyous celebration of books, and find the list of titles, at: https://youtu.be/ueTCRsKtcxI