2011 has been a successful year for research at Bond University. Research continues to grow in a number of areas with our external research income growing by 93% since 2009, new university research centres; and the expansion of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine which has attracted high-profile international researchers.
Research at Bond University has undergone some significant changes this year. In January 2011 I was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research); Mr Andrew Calder, commenced as Director of Research in late June and a research management data system was implemented which will enable transparency in the management of research across the university.
In June 2011, the University Council approved $1 million for strategic research investment. These funds were used to recruit high quality post-doctoral researchers and PhD students, helping us to build capability around our areas of research strength. The funds have been directed at supporting external research funding applications, thus leveraging further research capacity. During 2011 Bond University was also awarded $1.2 million of Queensland Government research funding for two projects; Tendon Response to Physical Activity in the Obese: Guidelines for Health and Injury Prevention and the Biological signature for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Researchers at Bond University also received a landmark grant of over $800,000 from the Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannett Williams Memorial Foundation to continue their ground-breaking research into identifying the cause and possible treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
To ensure our research success at Bond continues, we are reviewing our Research Strategy to set out a blueprint for research over the next five years. Bond’s research strategy will place a focus on:
High quality researchers with access to world class facilities, including a focus on appropriate accommodation and access to equipment.
Increasing our capacity to attract external research income from both Commonwealth and State governments, as well as from philanthropic and private sector funding.
Increasing our contribution to knowledge generation through investing in research excellence and exploring new and innovative ways of collaborating.
In addition, our strategy will consider the future challenges for research at Bond; areas to focus investment and support and ways to encourage innovation and collaboration with other research organisations, industry and the wider community. The development of the Research Strategy will ensure that the university is well positioned to respond to future challenges and continue to build on its reputation for research excellence.
