The Academy of Advanced Studies

Over the past four years Murdoch University has implemented a plan to focus and concentrate its research into areas of research strength in response to Federal government drivers.

When the processes were being developed to identify and put in place the groupings that truly reflected Murdoch’s major research areas, it was noted that there would be distinguished scholars and researchers who contributed to the University’s research reputation in a significant way through their individual efforts rather than by working in teams to achieve their goals.

This was especially true in the social sciences and humanities disciplines.

In order to recognise the special contribution that these researchers made, the Research and Development Board recommended that an Academy of Advances Studies should be formed to include the best researchers that did not fit into the designated areas of research strength.

The Research and Development Board undertook a careful process to decide the criteria for membership.

Since we wanted to identify our best researchers and to grow our research capability in line with government funding opportunities, the measures used were those DEST uses to return research block grants to the University.

Thus our best researchers, to qualify for such recognition, were assessed across a range of performance indicators including, ability to bring in large external research grants, evidence of publications and books in learned and scholarly journals, successful research supervision of students leading to completions and research students currently being supervised.

Over the most recent three years, our criteria of a top-grade researcher was evidence of contribution to at least three out of these four areas.

The measurement of these indicators for each academic required a considerable amount of effort on behalf of the Research and Development Division.

A data base to compile this information has been developed over a period of years and is being continuously refined. Each academic has the right to access their data thus ensuring that their individual performance indicators are correct and up to date.

The Academy was formally launched in February 2004 with an initial membership of 15.

As expected the Members were drawn predominantly from the arts and social sciences and this issue of Synergy profiles some of the Members.

The vision for the Academy and its role in Murdoch’s research activities is still evolving. It has also been decided to include the best researchers from the areas of research strength as Fellows of the Academy.

The criteria for their membership are based on similar criteria of research excellence required for the Members and it is expected that some 50 Fellows will be elected initially. This selection process is presently underway. The Academy will provide a forum for the University’s best researchers to voice their views on all aspects of research, including ethics and research policy issues.

Amongst its activities the Academy will promote research seminars and discussions of topical research. By bringing diverse researchers together there is the expectation that new research linkages within the Murdoch community will evolve, some of which will develop into new emerging areas of research strength.