Research in Science and Engineering at Curtin

1. Research in Science and Engineering at Curtin The Consolidation and Building Phase Prof Roland De Marco Dean of Research, Science and Engineering

2. Our Strengths • The Faculty has many excellent partnerships with industry (local minerals and oil and gas manufacturers) and government (CSIRO, CRCs, State Centres of Excellence, etc.) • We need to maintain and build these productive partnerships

3. Our Strengths • Problem oriented research is a hallmark of our work, and we must continue this proud tradition • Applied Research ensures that our work is relevant to industry and the community, and that our teaching is informed by the best practice in the field

4. Our Strengths • Curtin’s “can do” attitude and general flexibility to industrial and governmental research makes us a target for this kind of activity • Let us go forward and embrace these research opportunities with gusto and zeal

5. Engagement with Existing Curtin Centres • There is a plethora of externally funded research centres in science and engineering (I will circulate the list to the Dean of Faculty), and these wonderful “research assets” may be tapped into for new research opportunities • Examples are the Nanochemistry Research Institute, Centre for Materials Research, Curtin Water Quality Research Centre, Centre for Marine Science and Technology, etc.

6. Research Quality Framework (RQF) • Most important aspect is the publication of high impact papers, and the procurement of national competitive research funding • Read the Impact Factors (IFs) of journals with a degree of caution - review journals do not publish creative and original works, but their IFs are high • There are other national competitive research grants outside of the ARC, viz., AINSE, CSIRO Flagship, Dairy Research Corporation, etc. • Tangible outcomes like patents, spin off companies, technology transfer etc. are important from a perspective of impact - Engineering is likely to feature very strongly here

7. What can we (the Faculty Executive) do to help? • Leadership by example - We hope that Andris Stelbovics and I, as well as Senior Engineering staff, will be good role models for the research community • Streamline activities (administration and teaching) to reduce workloads, so as to encourage creativity • Enhance Engineering research at Curtin by appointing excellent research staff, viz., Radioastronomy Engineering experts, Bio-fluid Mechanics experts, etc. • Coordinate joint research projects across the science and engineering disciplines, e.g., AINSE’s nuclear power research initiative

8. What can we (the Faculty Executive) do to help? • Enhanced and aggressive marketing of PhD programs and scholarships overseas • Coordinate and run workshops on the writing of high quality ARC applications utilizing the skills of successful researchers at Curtin • Implement an internal grants review committee comprising people who regularly read and win ARC grants, as well as people who have served on the ARC College of Experts • Keep on nominating high quality Curtin researchers for membership on the ARC College of Experts

9. What can we (the Faculty Executive) do to help? • Use the ARC Federation Fellowship scheme that offers an internationally competitive salary and grant to attract world-leading researchers to Curtin - Any suggestions for Engineering? • Implement a mentoring scheme for young researchers - one-on-one mentoring • Implement a rewards and incentives scheme for researchers, viz., prizes in recognition of excellence, seed funding to support new projects, etc.

10. What can we (the Faculty Executive) do to help? • Any suggestions are welcome - now or by E-mail after today’s meeting

11. Thank you for your attentionQUESTIONS?