Following a range of updates to UNE policy and faculty processes over the past few months, I’m pleased to announce a refresh to our research environment for 2025. We appreciate the support of our research community in the implementation of these changes, and look forward to the contributions of  our Faculty Research Committee and Strategic Research Groups and Networks to a strong and active research culture.

Faculty Research Committee

Following approval of updated Terms of Reference, and an EOI process, the Faculty Research Committee membership has been refreshed as follows:

•    Prof Sue Saltmarsh (Chair, Associate Dean Research, HASSE)
•    Prof Nathan Wise (Executive Dean, HASSE)
•    Prof Jill Fielding (School of Education, School Research Coordinator)
•    Assoc/Prof Diana Barnes (School of HASS, School Research Coordinator)
•    Assoc/Prof Jo Bird (School of Education, HDR Coordinator)
•    Assoc/Prof Francois Soyer (School of HASS, HDR Coordinator)
•    Dr Kyle Mulrooney (School of HASS)
•    Dr Paul Smith (School of HASS)
•    Dr Nadya Rizk (School of Education)
•    Monique Mandarakas (HDR Student Representative, School of Education)
•    Harrison Munday (HDR Student Representative, School of HASS)

Faculty Strategic Research Groups and Networks

The Faculty’s Strategic Research Groups and Networks are a vibrant part of our research culture, and are involved in a number of initiatives, collaborations and activities in HASSE. Recent changes in faculty processes have been implemented in order to provide more regular opportunities for annual reporting achievements and activities to the Faculty Research Committee, proposal of new Strategic Research Groups/Networks, and proposals for existing Groups to transition to Network status in recognition of their growth of collaborations, external networks, research strengths and impact in their respective areas of research focus.

Strategic Research Groups

• Emotions @ UNE
• Interculturality and Education
• Language, Literacy and Pedagogy
• Psychology and Wellbeing in Education
• Rural, Regional and Remote Equity and Participation
• Ancient, Medieval and Modern Worlds
• HASSE One Health

Strategic Research Networks

• Heritage Futures
• Literary Worlds
• STEM Education
• Southern Communities
• UNE Creative Arts and Cultural Network (UCCAN)
• UNE Asia Pacific Network

Research Week

Preparations are underway for a week of research events and activities to be held during the week of 20-24 October 2025. Colleagues are requested to ‘save the date’ as we commence organising, in collaboration with colleagues across the faculty and university, a range of speakers, workshops, presentations and other activities. More information will be circulated in the coming weeks, with opportunities for bringing high calibre external speakers and showcasing research anticipated.