By Professor Greg Craven
THIS year has seen Australian Catholic University take some dramatic steps to boost its position as a research university.
In my inaugural lecture as Vice-Chancellor of ACU, I stated that there can be no such thing as an institution of intellectual leadership that is not an institution of research, Catholic or otherwise.
Research is the license for a university to play in the great game of public intellectualism, and without this licence, it will be without credibility.
Since 2008, student numbers at ACU have nearly doubled in size.
We have gained a campus, a law school, many new staff members, and a plethora of buildings and teaching and learning spaces.
While the university has always had a respectable research base, we have now prioritised the intensification of research over the next five years.
We are aiming for better performance in priority research areas, leading to improved research reputation, ERA results and overall research rankings.
The four broad focus areas of ACU research are education, theology and philosophy, health, and the pursuit of the common good – areas in which the Church is actively engaged.
Our initial phase of growth has included the establishment of five new research institutes, which are already producing some fascinating work.
The Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry works to promote interdisciplinary and collaborative research in the areas of philosophy and theology.
The team is working on a range of projects – from the origin, purpose and reception of New Testament writings, to religion and the law across a variety of international contexts, particularly Shari’a law.
The Institute for Social Justice focuses on challenges to our highest social ideals – justice, freedom, equality, democracy, public goods and the very meaning of our humanity.
Its director – Professor Nikolas Kompridis – originally worked as a leading artistic director and composer.
He was drawn into academia after an invitation to the University of Frankfurt from Jürgen Habermas, Germany’s most important philosopher.
The Institute for Positive Psychology and Education works to empower individuals and groups. Its researchers made headlines around Australia recently for their landmark project which will assist the NSW Police Force in developing fresh solutions to help officers become more resilient, and support those suffering from stress-related illness.
The Institute for Health will deliver quality health research which makes a difference to people’s lives.
Made up of four centres, they will focus on projects including improving the cardiac health for regional and Indigenous Australians; the psychological aspects of heart disease; the role of social marketing techniques to promote health; and the role of innovative primary care and regional strategies in delivering cost-effective health care to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Last but not least, the Learning Sciences Institute Australia aims to produce research that will improve the learning outcomes, wellbeing and life chances of children and young people, especially those experiencing disadvantage.
The institutes mark an important new chapter in research at ACU – one that is fundamental if the university is to constantly demonstrate the consistency of faith and reason through intellectual excellence.
I look forward to sharing future developments and research achievements with you.
Professor Greg Craven is Vice-Chancellor of Australian Catholic University.
