• Research Services
  • About Research Services
  • Research Services Contacts
  • Ethics Clearance
  • Postgraduate Degrees by Research
  • Research Grants Information
  • Research Strengths
  • Research in Womens History Project
  • Ageing Research and Education
  • Policies
  • Research Data Collection
  • Publications Reports
  • Institute for the Advancement of Research
  • Appointments to the IAR

• Welcome Message
  Read an introductory welcome message from the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research & International).
• University Research Mission Statement
  Read about the Research Mission for ACU and the objectives and policies.
• Research and Research Training Management Plan
  As part of the annual profile discussions with DEST the University submits a management plan.

Welcome to Research Services

The impressive growth of research output by Australian Catholic University staff during the past ten years provides evidence of our collective understanding of a Catholic university as a place of research where scholars scrutinise reality with the methods proper to each academic discipline and so contribute to the treasure of human knowledge. Research at Australian Catholic University is catholic in as much as it searches for an integration of knowledge most likely through an interdisciplinary orientation; maintains an open dialogue between faith and reason; takes seriously ethical concerns and allows for the importance of transcendental reality. Research (from a low base) publications at Australian Catholic University have increased (see publication reports) and the rapid expansion of the University's research efforts is also reflected in the increase in the number of research higher degree students from 20 in 1993 to nearly 200 in 2002. Last but not least, the University's ability to attract research grants (with $2 000 000 in 2001) reflects its priorities and augurs well for its determination to be a research university with a difference.

The strong commitment of the University to research is further demonstrated by the dedication of a significant part of the research effort to supervision of doctoral candidates. In addition to Master's research programmes in Arts, Education, Music, Nursing, Philosophy and the Social Sciences, the University offers both traditional (PhD) and professional research doctorates (EdD).

While PhD students may enrol in any school of the University, a major effort is made to assure that they are part of an active research culture in the various research centres of the University. Three university centres are of particular interest in this respect. The John Plunkett Centre for Ethics in Health Care in conjunction with St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney enables students to examine topical issues from artificial reproduction technology to euthanasia. The Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre has gained international standing in the study and development of the contemporary mathematics classroom and the professional development and growth of mathematics teachers. Finally, staff at the Centre for Early Christian Studies foster culturally significant understandings through the study of the social and political aspects of early Christian writings. A number of Research Centres have been designated as Flagships of the University, and these are listed elsewhere (Flagships and Centres).

The Doctor of Education course is designed to meet the needs of educators who occupy or will occupy positions of influence in the education community. It is also to give them confidence in leadership roles that require depth of knowledge, research and professional skills, and the ability to apply these skills to the field in which they work. The EdD is thus designed to meet the needs of practitioners. Its main purpose is to enhance, through advanced course work and research, the practitioner's capacity to question, analyse, critique and develop the profession and its practices.

The desire to carry out teaching and research with a particular concern for ethical and moral implications is met by the interdisciplinary programs which invite an ongoing conversation between academic scholarship and Christian faith and values. Such an approach helps Australian Catholic University to unite existentially by intellectual effort two orders of reality that too frequently tend to be placed in opposition as though they were antithetical: the search for truth and a university established in a Faith tradition. Australian Catholic University as a public university is open to all, that is to say, to persons of any faith or none at all. All are invited to seek truth through research that affirms the value of human persons in the wider society and particularly within the Australian context.

University Research Mission Statement

The Research Mission Statement of the Australian Catholic University reflects the University's Mission Statement. That Statement set down the University's commitment to foster and promote teaching, research and scholarship in their widest and richest sense in accordance with Catholic principles and traditions. One goal is to excel as a university thereby enriching the Australian culture and to serve the local and world community by making scholarly and creative contributions to the arts and sciences, technology, the professions, commerce and public service.

Australian Catholic University will be particularly concerned to promote and to encourage research germane to the role of religion in society, especially in relation to the Catholic tradition.

In pursuing its research mission, the University will aim to fulfil the following objectives and general policies.

Objectives

• Encourage the development, promotion and public dissemination of research and scholarship which make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and learning.
• Promote and advance knowledge by carrying out research in areas related to the needs of Australia, the international community and, in particular, the Catholic community.
• Promote co-operative research between divisions of the University and with institutions with mutual research interests.
• Promote the establishment of Centres, according to University guidelines, to stimulate research in areas of research strength within the University.
• Establish a research environment which will attract the best postgraduate students and will provide for their most suitable training.
• Encourage and promote changes in the direction of research where this is appropriate.
• Maintain an environment where critical assessment of the research activities of individuals, groups and departments can occur as part of the normal academic process.

Policies

• The relationship between teaching and research may vary from discipline to discipline, but, except for special appointments and for some staff from the predecessor colleges, those who teach in the University would normally be expected to engage in research as well as teaching.
• The maintenance of the highest standards of teaching and research is a fundamental concern of the University at all times.
• All academic staff will be encouraged to attain their full research potential.
• The University will allocate internal resources competitively and on the basis of excellence, or on the potential to excel.
• The allocation of research resources will be regularly reviewed to ensure that adequate funds are provided to support the University's priority areas and superior research performers.
• Successful applicants for research funds must report regularly on the progress of the research project and include an annual financial statement.
• All academic staff engaged in research have a responsibility to seek outside support for their research.
• Equal opportunity and affirmative action policies operate within the University.

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Research and Research Training Management Plan

As part of the annual profile discussions with the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) the University submits an annual management plan.

Download the latest Research & Research Training Management Plan

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