Media releases

Federation University Australia is strengthening its research capabilities in western Victoria with the launch today of a new research hub at its Wimmera Campus in Horsham and the appointment of a leading economics professor to head up the Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct. 

The Horsham Research Hub is part of Federation University’s Future Regions Research Centre, which is focussed on partnering with local industry, community and government to tackle the big issues facing regional communities.  

The focus in the Wimmera region will include how geography and dispersed populations impact service delivery and the best ways to guarantee that communities and individuals do not experience social and economic exclusion. Other projects will look at rural economic drivers and how regulation change impacts local economies. 

The Horsham Research Hub will be led by Dr Cathy Tischler and supported by Dr Kelsey Macdonald. Dr Tischler has a doctorate from Federation University in rural social justice and regional development. 

With more than 15 years’ experience in research, rural advocacy and change management, Dr Tischler has an excellent understanding of the issues within the region and strong connections with local industry and the community. 

Federation Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley said evidence-based research will support advocacy activities to build robust local economies, effective service delivery and a strong sense of wellbeing in communities across western Victoria. 

Professor Bentley also announced that Professor Harpinder Sandhu will head up the Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct, which is under construction at Laby Street in central Ararat.  

Professor Sandhu is an ecological economist with over two decades of professional experience in agriculture and rural development and research leadership and management in government, research institutes and universities. At the United Nations Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, he was a lead author of the Pollination Report and Asia Pacific Regional Assessment, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2020. 

Like the Horsham hub, the precinct in Ararat will foster collaboration between industry, government, and community to help drive economic growth and job opportunities in the Ararat region. With an initial focus on agribusiness, potential research areas include climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, smart technologies, and biomass energy.  

Quotes attributable to Federation Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley  

“By boosting our research capabilities in western Victoria, we will help to drive economic growth and jobs in the region.” 

“Tackling the big issues facing the regions requires a multi-faceted approach and the research hub at Horsham and jobs and technology precinct in Ararat will tap into research capabilities across the university to take a holistic approach to helping our regions grow and prosper.” 

Quote attributable to Horsham Research Hub Team Lead, Dr Cathy Tischler 

“The evidence-based research we are undertaking in the Wimmera Southern Mallee will drive activity that supports stronger local economies and improved service delivery in our region.” 

Quote attributable to Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct Director, Professor Harpinder Sandhu  

“The Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct is an exciting partnership with Ararat Rural City Council that will see the university partnering with the local agricultural industry to develop niche markets and drive economic growth in the region.”