Research and Innovation
A Guide to Addressing the Research
Environment Statement
ARC Discovery and DECRA for funding commencing
2015
Prepared by:
Sharon Kitt, Interim Director Research Services
Professor Erica Smith, Robert HT Smith Chair, Western Campus
Professor Alan Lawton, Gippsland Campus
Status: Released
Version: 1.1
Date: 17/02/2014
Table of Contents
1
Table of Contents
2
Introduction
2
DP15 Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants .........................................................................3
ARC DP 15 Funding Rules Research Environment
15% ................................................................3
ARC Instructions to Applicants RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT ..........................................................3
General Points about the Research Environment Statement ............................................................3
Is there a supportive and collaborative research environment for the project? .............................4
Federation University (Generic statements for contextualization of research) ..................................................... 4
Specific Statements ............................................................................................................................................. 5
ERA Rankings 2012 (Ballarat) ............................................................................................................................. 6
ERA Overall Results: ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Are the necessary facilities available to complete the Project? .......................................................9
Are there adequate strategies to encourage dissemination, commercialisation, if appropriate,
and promotion of research outcomes? ................................................................................................9
Generally .............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Federation University ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Specific Examples .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Research Environment Sample Sentences .......................................................................................10
Research Environment Section – full text example ..........................................................................11
Introduction
This document is a guide to assist you in framing your Research Environment Statement.
It is structure around the three main sections of the statement, with statements that
address the University level and the faculty/school level. It is expected that grant
applicants will reflect on the statements contained therein but adapt them to their own
writing style and the context of the grant.
Warning: uncontrolled when printed.
Authorised by:
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research
Document owner:
Director, Research Services
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D
Original Issue:
Current Version:
14/02/2014
14/02/2014
Page 2 of 11
DP15 Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants
From the ARC Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants
ARC DP 15 Funding Rules
ARC Instructions to Applicants
Research Environment
15%
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
•
Is there a supportive and collaborative
research environment for the project?
•
Are the necessary facilities available
to complete the Project?
•
Are there adequate strategies to
encourage dissemination,
commercialisation, if appropriate, and
promotion of research outcomes?
•
Describe the existing, or developing
research environment within the
Administering Organisation/other
Organisation(s) for this Project.
•
Outline the adequacy of the Research
Environment in your department, school or
research group, and the extent to which it
will provide opportunities for knowledge
growth, innovation, collaboration,
mentoring and student training.
•
Describe how the Project fits with the
Administering Organisation’s research
plans and strategies.
For DECRAs:
•
Will the Project provide the DECRA
Candidate with the capacity and
opportunity to develop an independent
record of innovative, high quality
research?
General Points about the Research Environment Statement
•
It needs to relate to your specific research proposal. Grand motherhood statements
regarding Federation University will be considered as rhetoric unless there is a
specific link between the statement, your project, your academic focus and their
mutual reciprocity between all
•
It should mention ERA rankings for the University and YOUR research area. This is
common advice from most institutions. However, if the ERA results are not stellar,
other externally validated reports can be used such as high-impact papers,
prestigious memberships of councils, etc
•
One page maximum – short, snappy, relevant! A
good half page is better than a rambling full page.
•
•
Contextualise the importance of your research in
terms of the future of the organisation, through
University, Faculty, School, Research plans.
Contextualise the importance of your institution to
the research and why it is the best place for this
research to occur.
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D
Your University
Your local
research
environment
This
project
Page 3 of 11
Is there a supportive and collaborative research environment for
the project?
The following points are given for you to incorporate into your application – please select
those that are the most relevant. Alternatively, you may use your own statements keeping
in mind the purpose of this section and the style and statements of points below.
Federation University Australia (Generic statements for contextualization of research)

Federation University Australia is proudly regional in focus, national in scope and
international in reach.

Our newly formed institution has a newly formed mission: “Federation University
Australia research is inspired by curiosity and passion to make a positive
difference to people, places and ideas.”

Formed on 01 January 2014, it is an innovative collaboration between the
University of Ballarat and Monash University's Gippsland Campus. We now have
over 300 HDR enrolments and 400 FTE academic staff in a four Faculty
structure, uniting and invigorating the research programs at both campuses.

Ballarat is host to the University's Technology Park (TecPark), the largest technology park in
regional Australia, which employs over 1500 staff across 40 different companies. The TecPark
is the home of the University’s Internet Commerce Security Laboratory (ICSL), Centre for
eCommerce and Communication (CeCC), and the Centre for Regional Innovation and
Competitiveness (CRIC). A further $2.9 million contribution from the State Govt was made in
2012 through the Regional Growth Fund.

Host to the Australian Centre for Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention
(ACRISP) has been recognised as Australia's premier sports injury prevention
research centre, being only one of four such centres worldwide to be selected by
the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a member of the IOC Medical
Research Network.

Nanya Station (40,000 hectare) and Euston (8,000 ha) Conservation Parks are
magnificent properties located in far - western NSW that contain unique systems
of natural salt lakes, old growth Mallee, and a variety of intact ecosystems.
These eco - parks are significant refuges for biological diversity. The University
manages these properties for conservation and cultural values, education and
research.

Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Engineering Research Group (GHERG) works
closely with government and industry to further improve the safety and
sustainability of the open-cut mines that surround the Gippsland Campus.
Funded by the Victorian Government (through the Department of Primary
Industries), GHERG focuses on the key issues affecting open-cut mines in the
Latrobe Valley, including slope stability, groundwater impacts, environmental
rehabilitation and the long-term sustainability of mine sites.

Strategic in fostering world-class research: The University facilitates world-class
research activity which is focused, regionally relevant and internationally
recognised and which complements its Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
programs for Australian and international students.

Offers a comprehensive support to researchers across all levels: the Graduate
Centre Programs that use online, in person and interactive sessions for all higher
degrees by research candidates regardless of location, culminating in the annual
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Research Conference that all HDRs attend; The Early Career mentoring scheme;
YOUResearch.

In 2014 and beyond, Federation University will continue to focus its research
plans; key professoriate have already commenced work on a Research Plan that
will build research capacity and research culture across the new institution.

Through the merger, the Gippsland Campus adds significant capacity to
Federation University, including access to new facilities, research groups and
research support. As part of Monash University, the Gippsland campus
contributed to world class research in all the Monash faculties.

Foundation member of the Regional University Network (RUN).

The Gippsland Campus complements and builds on Federation University’s
research culture step-change and investment in Research, including
o
o

The $6million Collaborative Research Network (CRN) for Self-Sustaining
Regions Research and Innovation Initiative. Federation University is the
lead university of this CRN, and partners with Monash, Deakin and
Melbourne. The CRN itself incorporates three major elements:

Element 1: Regional Science and Technological Education

Element 2: Regional Social and Education Connectedness and
Health Innovation

Element 3: Regional Landscape Change
Appointment of Five Research Chairs to lead research innovation across
the institution: Robert HT Smith Chairs

Professors Erica Smith – Education

Professor Caroline Finch – Sports Injury Prevention

Professor Fadi Charchar – Heart Disease

Professor Peter Gell – Environment

Professor Britt Klein – eMental Health
2013 Research Plan for the University [of Ballarat] focusses on four significant areas of
research. Much of its research efforts are focussed on resilience in rural and regional
communities both in Australia and World Wide
o
Innovation in science and technology,
o
Regional futures,
o
Addressing disadvantage in education and health, and
o
Healthy living, healthy ageing and wellness.
Specific Statements
•
These are examples of statements that could be used by particular faculties or
schools. It is likely that academics within the faculties or schools will have a better
understanding of the elements of research support and culture they can bring to the
fore.
•
Approximately half of our research programs focus on education - encompassing
lifelong learning - including early education, primary, secondary, vocational education
and training, as well as adult and community education. Broadly half of the remaining
programs investigate issues to do with history, culture and society. The remaining
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studies seek new understandings and pathways in the fields of the visual and
performing arts.
•
The new Faculty of Business at Federation University has one established university
research centre, the Centre for Regional Innovation and Competitiveness, and this
project will draw upon the regional knowledge of that centre. However, and in keeping
with the Faculty and University mission, this project will be local, regional, national
and international in its research impact.
ERA Rankings 2012 (Ballarat)
Ranking 3 at World Standard

1103 Clinical Sciences

1106 Human Movement and Sports Science
Increased rankings in

16 Studies in Human Society (from 1 – 2)

14 Economics (from 1-2)
Also newly assessed in

05 Environmental Sciences

08 Computing Sciences

20 Language Communication and Culture
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ERA Overall Results:
FoR
1
101
102
103
104
105
199
2
201
202
203
204
205
206
299
3
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
399
4
401
402
403
404
405
406
499
5
501
502
503
599
6
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
699
7
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
799
8
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
899
9
901
902
903
904
905
906
Title
Mathematical Sciences
Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Numerical and Computational Mathematics
Statistics
Mathematical Physics
Other Mathematical Sciences
Physical Sciences
Astronomical and Space Sciences
Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
Classical Physics
Condensed Matter Physics
Optical Physics
Quantum Physics
Other Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Analytical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Other Chemical Sciences
Earth Sciences
Atmospheric Sciences
Geochemistry
Geology
Geophysics
Oceanography
Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Other Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Ecological Applications
Environmental Science and Management
Soil Sciences
Other Environmental Sciences
Biological Sciences
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics
Microbiology
Physiology
Plant Biology
Zoology
Other Biological Sciences
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Agriculture, Land and Farm Management
Animal Production
Crop and Pasture Production
Fisheries Sciences
Forestry Sciences
Horticultural Production
Veterinary Sciences
Other Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Information and Computing Sciences
Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing
Computation Theory and Mathematics
Computer Software
Data Format
Distributed Computing
Information Systems
Library and Information Studies
Other Information and Computing Sciences
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D
Monash 2012
3
3
4
Not Assessed
3
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
4
4
3
Not Assessed
4
3
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
5
3
5
5
3
4
4
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
3
4
Not Assessed
3
5
Not Assessed
4
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
4
4
5
5
3
4
4
3
3
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
4
4
Not Assessed
3
Not Assessed
4
3
3
Not Assessed
5
4
Not Assessed
5
5
5
4
UB 2012
2
2
2
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
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Not Assessed
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2
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2
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2
2
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2
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FoR
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
999
10
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1099
11
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
1112
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1199
12
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1299
13
1301
1302
1303
1399
14
1401
1402
1403
1499
15
1501
1502
1503
1504
1505
1506
1507
1599
16
1601
1602
1603
1604
1605
1606
1607
1608
1699
17
1701
Title
Environmental Engineering
Food Sciences
Geomatic Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Maritime Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
Interdisciplinary Engineering
Other Engineering
Technology
Agricultural Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology
Industrial Biotechnology
Medical Biotechnology
Communications Technologies
Computer Hardware
Nanotechnology
Other Technology
Medical and Health Sciences
Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics
Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology
Clinical Sciences
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Dentistry
Human Movement and Sports Science
Immunology
Medical Microbiology
Neurosciences
Nursing
Nutrition and Dietetics
Oncology and Carcinogenesis
Ophthalmology and Optometry
Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Medical Physiology
Public Health and Health Services
Other Medical and Health Sciences
Built Environment and Design
Architecture
Building
Design Practice and Management
Engineering Design
Urban and Regional Planning
Other Built Environment and Design
Education
Education Systems
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Specialist Studies In Education
Other Education
Economics
Economic Theory
Applied Economics
Econometrics
Other Economics
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
Accounting, Auditing and Accountability
Banking, Finance and Investment
Business and Management
Commercial Services
Marketing
Tourism
Transportation and Freight Services
Other Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
Studies In Human Society
Anthropology
Criminology
Demography
Human Geography
Policy and Administration
Political Science
Social Work
Sociology
Other Studies In Human Society
Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Psychology
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D
Monash 2012
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
5
4
Not Assessed
5
Not Assessed
5
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
5
4
Not Assessed
5
Not Assessed
5
5
3
4
Not Assessed
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3
4
5
5
3
Not Assessed
4
Not Assessed
4
5
5
4
Not Assessed
3
3
Not Assessed
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4
4
4
4
Not Assessed
5
Not Assessed
4
5
Not Assessed
4
5
3
4
Not Assessed
4
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
3
3
3
Not Assessed
4
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
UB 2012
Not Assessed
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2
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3
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1
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2
2
1
2
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2
2
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1
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1
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1
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2
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2
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FoR
1702
1799
18
1801
1802
1899
19
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1999
20
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2099
21
2101
2102
2103
2199
22
2201
2202
2203
2204
2299
Title
Cognitive Sciences
Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Law and Legal Studies
Law
Maori Law
Other Law and Legal Studies
Studies In Creative Arts and Writing
Art Theory and Criticism
Film, Television and Digital Media
Journalism and Professional Writing
Performing Arts and Creative Writing
Visual Arts and Crafts
Other Studies In Creative Arts and Writing
Language, Communication and Culture
Communication and Media Studies
Cultural Studies
Language Studies
Linguistics
Literary Studies
Other Language, Communication and Culture
History and Archaeology
Archaeology
Curatorial and Related Studies
Historical Studies
Other History and Archaeology
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Applied Ethics
History and Philosophy Of Specific Fields
Philosophy
Religion and Religious Studies
Other Philosophy and Religious Studies
Monash 2012
3
Not Assessed
5
5
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
4
4
4
3
4
4
Not Assessed
4
3
4
Not Assessed
4
4
Not Assessed
5
4
Not Assessed
5
Not Assessed
5
3
4
5
4
Not Assessed
UB 2012
Not Assessed
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1
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1
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2
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2
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Not Assessed
Are the necessary facilities available to complete the Project?
This section is placing your project into the environment. Do you have the right
people/equipment/buildings/resources to complete the project? If yes, then state what it is.
If no, then clearly articulate how you will address these gaps. Again, this section may be quite specific
to your research group or area. Some larger examples of facilities and investment include:

New $4million Science and Engineering Building with dedicated research
laboratories (Ballarat)

Completely refurbished and renovated University library at Ballarat and SMB
(completed 2013)
Are there adequate strategies to encourage dissemination,
commercialisation, if appropriate, and promotion of research
outcomes?
Generally
This is really about impact and strategies to encourage impact. Mention publications in
the usual research outlets (journals, books) but also:

Policy documents or guidelines

National and International conference attendance

Patents/commercialisation

Media exposure

Developing workshops

Training and supporting HDR’s
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Federation University Australia
Again these are generic statements that you may wish to incorporate into your
documentation.

In 2013 the University appointed a full-time Commercial Engagement Business
Consultant specifically to investigate options for commercialisation of university
research outcomes, as well as engaging directly with researchers and partnering
with industry through the newly established “Commercialisation Engagement
Network”, facilitated by Dr Lynne Reeder.

2014 will see the re-invigoration of the online research repository, incorporating
research publications and datasets. Additionally, the RUN universities are
actively working on a project to present Researcher Profiles through a united
portal, broadening the capacity of online promotion of expertise.

As a new University, Federation recognises the importance of a diverse media
strategy. We have a strong social media strategy for the dissemination of
research results such as the use of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, ResearchGate,
blogs etc. (list any blogs/twitter hashtags etc that you personally contribute)

Gippsland has a long history of public seminars and lectures which it plans to
continue in 2014 and beyond through its “Community Conversation” series.
Specific Examples

(Ballarat)The major aim of this online series is to publish research-in-progress
being conducted by members of The Business School for the purpose of
encouraging a supportive and productive research culture. All published papers
will be available from the School's research website and thus can be accessed
through website browsers. All papers will have a statement encouraging readers
of these papers to contact the authors with comments and suggestions for further
research.

Conference hosts (Open Dialogue 2014)

Methodologies such as community-based research, participatory action research
and critical approaches are typically transdisciplinary and involve working
alongside communities and agencies to shape research questions and problems.
These approaches value community knowledge and recognise community
voices.

2013 RAMSAR/PAGES host
Research Environment Sample Sentences

Through the merger of the University of Ballarat and the Monash University
Gippsland campus, Federation University Australia (FedUni) will significantly
contribute towards the step-change in regional research capacity. FedUni has
over 300 HDR students, and 400 FTE academic staff.

Both the University of Ballarat and Monash University had strong showings in the
2012 ERA results in the areas of [insert the name of your discipline here].
Specifically, the critical mass of researchers at Fed Uni in [2 or 4 digit FORC] will
allow the research stemming from this grant to be situated in a comprehensive
intellectual space, allowing both the research and the university to grow in depth
and capacity.

The School of XYZ offers a supportive environment for research in ABC, as
evidenced through its commitment to the ABC research group.
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
The project has access to all the required instrumentation and equipment need
for this project through the [school/faculty]
Research Environment Section – full text example
The example below is used by another institution to demonstrate to its researchers what
is expected as a minimum for the research environment statement.
The (name of School) at XYZ University is committed to maintaining an
environment that fosters research. The School hosts (#) Research Centres: the
(name) Centre; and the (name) Centre. Both of these Centres have a
concentration of highly ranked intellectuals who have made significant
contributions to the research culture and performance of the (name of School) .
XYZ ’s School of ..... strategic research plan includes a strong commitment to
provide a resource for early career researchers to receive mentoring. This is made
possible by recruiting and retaining high performing academic staff. This research
project, which will be carried out at the XYZ (name of School), received a ? ranking
in the 2012 ERA (only include ranking if it is positive and supportive of your
submission) . The award of a 5/4/3 ranking highlights the School’s position as a
national/international leader in (insert type of research). The School is the current
recipient of (insert if applicable) ARC Discovery /Linkage Projects (or other
significant funding in the form of a contract research/tender relevant to research in
the school as evidence of external recognition.
The School provides incentive schemes to its Researchers to encourage and
nurture a research active team of academics. It provides opportunities for research
staff to disseminate and communicate the results of their rese arch outputs. It hosts
a (annual; half yearly?) seminar series which provides a forum for international,
national and (name of School) academics to present on strategic (name the
discipline) related topics. The Researchers in this project have very strong external
linkages both in Australia and overseas. In Australia the Researchers have
developed and worked very closely with many (name of) organisations. The
research team has strong links with commonwealth and state agencies relevant to
the project, to private and public organisations that access and use (list or name
the type of resources), and also to researchers working in the field.
In addition the research team has very strong links to researchers working in this
field around the world including at (name of the international institutions). The
research team also has developed close links with some of the international
research centres, which will play a crucial role in the success of this project. The
research team will have the administrative support and infrastructure of the (name
of) School, as well as the (name of) Centre and the (name of) Centre. The
research environment in which the project will be conducted, which is very
supportive of projects of this nature, will add to and enhance the project. The
(name) School has a strong research management team who will ensure that all
technical, administrative and fundamental support is provided to the project
members for the completion of a successful project. In addition to the support
provided within the School, the research team will also benefit from the support
and expertise provided by the university more generally.
XYZ provides a strong research environment as part of its investment in building a
culture of research quality and performance across the institution and in its quest to
be acknowledged widely as a university that is rapidly developing its research
potential in several disciplinary areas. The university will provide the research team
with access to databases and library resources essential to the project. It will also
provide financial oversight and administrative support to ensure the success of the
project.
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