New Faculty Research Strategy

I’m pleased to announce the finalisation of a new Faculty Research Strategy for 2023-2030. This strategy builds on the diversity of research expertise and activity across the faculty, and recognises the importance of these to our research culture, and our contributions to knowledge. The draft document was endorsed at the July meetings of Faculty Research Committee and Faculty Executive Committee. Highlights include revised strategic priorities for achieving the goal of research and scholarly learning that addresses Everyday Challenges, Promising Futures. These priorities are guided by a commitment to building on established and emergent expertise, and to growing our capacity for scholarly, community and industry collaboration, in order to:

• develop and grow priority projects and interdisciplinary research initiatives
• prioritise and support excellence in research and HDR supervision
• cultivate and sustain a vibrant and thriving research culture
• promote and extend our regional, national and international profile.

The strategy for accomplishing these goals is underpinned by principles articulated in the concept of RISE, focusing on:

• Rigour, relevance and responsiveness to a changing world
• Interdisciplinarity, innovation, inclusion and impact that makes a difference
• Sustainability, social responsibility, and supportive scholarly communities
• Excellence, enterprise, equity, and effective engagement in our region.

Guided by these principles, our individual and collective research endeavours will contribute to UNE’s growth, renewal and reputation for addressing real world problems through new knowledge and its translation via community and industry partnerships. An Implementation Plan is in progress, and expected to be complete and submitted for endorsement to the next FRC meeting in August 2024.

HASSE PhD Fieldwork Travel Support Funding

Revised guidelines and application form are now available to students and supervisors on the HASSE HDR Portal. These Guidelines clarify allowable and non-allowable expenses, restrictions associated with DFAT travel advisories; provide guidance regarding feasibility of proposed travel within available funding, and contingency planning in the event that travel is not possible; and provide clarification regarding cash advances, and over-stay when traveling for fieldwork.

Initial feedback on the new guidelines and streamlined application document has been positive – PhD students planning to travel for fieldwork are encouraged to attend the regular HDR Check In sessions, which provide an opportunity to ask questions about the new guidelines and application form.

Professor Sue Saltmarsh
Associate Dean Research, HASSE