Media releases

Federation University Australia’s research is making a difference in people’s lives, with the University performing strongly in a new national assessment of the real-world impact of university research.

It’s the first time the Australian Research Council has measured the impact university research has within the community.

Federation University recorded strong results in five critical disciplines in the Engagement and Impact Assessment, released today.

One of the University’s Medical and Health Sciences projects recorded the maximum high impact rating and was making a highly significant contribution beyond academia.

The study – Improving sports safety using a progressive, targeted exercise program to prevent lower limb injuries in Australian Footballers – is designed for football players at all levels.

The research produced a coaching manual endorsed by AFL sports medicine experts and a template for translating community sports injury prevention research into policies and practices.

The team also researched how community sports safety policy is set, how consensus can be reached among experts in the field and how safety guidelines are best developed and delivered.

Four other Federation University research projects rated well and are making a significant contribution beyond academia.

• A project to secure water supply to households and businesses in rural Victoria by applying algorithms was undertaken by Mathematical Sciences academics and Grampian Wimmera Mallee Water;

• A project to maximise the benefits of Men’s Sheds for older men’s lifelong learning, health and well-being was undertaken by Education academics;

• A project to increase sport participation and improve community health through the Sport and Recreation Spatial (SRS) project was undertaken by Sports Science academics;

• A project for farmers, businesses and regional communities to unify key groundwater data also was undertaken by Fed Uni academics.

A high impact signifies the research has made a highly significant contribution beyond academia. A medium impact signifies the research has made a significant contribution beyond academia.

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

“From managing and mapping water supplies to preventing injury amongst elite athletes, Federation University researchers have made a significant difference to regional and national communities.”