Media releases

From preventing injuries in Australian football to using our genetic codes to tailor treatments for high blood pressure and heart disease – research at Federation University Australia has been ranked as well above world standard for the first time in the University’s history.

The quality of research at Federation University has achieved the highest possible five-out-of-five rating in seven research areas under the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) results, released today.

This includes research in nursing, human movement and sports science, environmental sciences, clinical sciences, applied mathematics, civil engineering and environmental science and management.

Hundreds of research outputs published over the past three years were assessed as part of the ERA framework, including in:

• Nursing research to create an assessment for medical teams to use when resuscitating patients, which has now been translated into eight languages and is used around the world to improve teamwork.
• Sports science research to prevent injuries in Australian football and other sports.
• Civil engineering research in the Latrobe Valley to keep local miners safe at work by ensuring mine walls are stable.
• Research using mathematics to optimise the design of new pipeline systems to supply water to 70,000 people across rural north-west Victoria, which reduced water losses by 103 billion litres a year and reduced household water bills by more than 20 per cent.

Federation University’s research in medical and health sciences, artificial intelligence and image processing also achieved a four rating, putting it above world standard.

A further nine research areas were ranked at world standard, with a three rating for mathematical sciences, information and computing sciences, studies in human society, psychology and cognitive sciences, pure mathematics, education systems, sociology, psychology and historical studies.

Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett:

“From never having achieved a five star rating to achieving seven – these outstanding results reflect our focus on producing world-leading research that has a real impact on people’s lives.”

“We’re investing in new facilities and partnerships in nursing and sports science, so it’s great to see our research in these areas being recognised as among the best in the world.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Chris Hutchison:

“This is a fantastic result for a regional university – we’re producing world-class research in our local communities that can be applied to people living anywhere in the world.”

“Our challenge now is to export not only our research but the value of regional universities to Australia’s reputation for innovation.”