HIE ERA4

Excellence In Research Australia

The Hawkesbury Institute confirms its place in world research excellence:

  • 8 Fields Of Research rated as Well-Above World Standard (the highest ranking)
  • Continued strengths in previously highly-rated Fields Of Research
  • HIE's broad interdisciplinary areas of expertise combine to offer excellence in the sciences

ICNS Memorandum

Designing the Future

The International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS) is a world leader in the development of biology-inspired Neuromorphic Perception Solutions. Harnessing the power of the centre’s pioneering research on neuromorphic sensors, algorithms and processing hardware, these energy-efficient solutions are set to transform data collection and processing in areas such as Space and aviation, smart manufacturing, automotive, agriculture and medical technology.

ICNS is already working with multinational firms such as Intel and Microsoft on the real-world application of these solutions and is actively seeking commercial partners for further collaborations.

Find out more here

Latest News, Events And Highlights

World-first study estimates 1500 undiscovered species of trees in Australia and Pacific Islands

1 February 2022

Western Sydney University researchers have contributed to a world-first study that estimates there are 73,000 tree species on Earth, including about 9,200 species yet to be discovered, of which 1,500 species are likely to be concentrated in northeast Australia and the Pacific Islands.

New film shines light on Western Sydney University’s work to secure a sustainable future for farming

23 November 2021

A new online film series produced by the BBC is putting the spotlight on ground-breaking research by Western Sydney University that is revolutionising the future of food production.

University researchers join world’s most highly-cited list

18 November 2021

A group of Western Sydney University academics have been named amongst the most-highly cited researchers in the world in the latest Clarivate Highly Cited (HiCis) Researchers list for 2021.

Western Sydney University commits to future jobs, skills and research growth with state-of-the-art Agri-Tech Hub vision launch

30 September 2021

Western Sydney University has launched its vision for an Australian-first Agri-Tech Hub, a planned 6-hectare, high-tech commercial, teaching and research greenhouse complex in the heart of the Hawkesbury, to boost jobs and opportunities for the region.

Wild bee recovery study to support bushfire preparedness for growers

25 August 2021

The aftermath of the Black Summer Bushfires will give researchers a rare standpoint to study the recovery of wild honey bees and other pollinators, providing important insight for growers facing future catastrophic events.

World-first research announced into the role rainforests play in mitigating bushfire disasters

9 June 2021

RedEye and Western Sydney University are partnering to undertake world-first research to better understand the link between drought severity in rainforest areas and a subsequent intensification in bushfire seasons.

Finding the drivers of Australia’s massive eucalypt dieback problem

11 March 2021

New research from Western Sydney University, published in New Phytologist, can now offer an explanation for the phenomena known as eucalypt ‘die back’.

The courtship lyre: why male lyrebirds mimic an alarming cue of a predator during sexual encounters

26 February 2021

Researchers at Western Sydney University in partnership with Cornell University, the University of Wollongong and the Australian National University, have found that male superb lyrebirds create an astonishing acoustic illusion of a flock of alarm-calling birds.

Solar panels in Sahara could boost renewable energy but damage the global climate – here’s why

12 February 2021

The world’s most forbidding deserts could be the best places on Earth for harvesting solar power - buit heat impacts from large-scale solar could add to climatic changes.

Flight or fright: what future for the emus of east coast Australia?

14 January 2021

Remnant emu populations are right at the limit of their climatic suitability as the changes in rainfall patterns and threats from predation, habitat loss and other causes is putting pressure on these populations.

Future Makers

 

Burning-Questions
Burning Questions

Drought detectives examine how Australian forests will cope with a hot, dry and fiery future...

Wonder-Fungus
The Secret Powers of Wonder Fungus

Promoting the symbiosis between fungus and tree roots could have big benefits for forestry...

Green Light
Giving Photosynthesis the Green Light

Taking the brakes off sugar production in crops could significantly boost food production...

Bringing Ag Indoors
Bringing Agriculture Indoors

Australian-led advancements in indoor cropping technologies provide hope for an increasingly strained agriculture sector...

Leaves Of Grass 170
Leaves of Grass

Distinguished Professor Belinda Medlyn leads a study into why grass turns brown and what it means for grassland productivity is vital to Australian ecosystems and industry...

Microbes on wheat roots
Microbes at the Root of Sustainable Farming

Prof Brajesh Singh is developing microbial engineering tools that could sustainably increase agricultural output to produce food for a rapidly increasing population....

Sowing Seeds For the Future of Forests
Sowing Seeds for the Future of Forests

Dr Paul Rymer is searching for genetic features that contribute to trees’ adaptation to climate change, so that they can be taken into account for forest management...

Seeing the forest through the trees
Seeing the Forest Through the Trees

Professor Belinda Medlyn and colleagues have been developing models of forests that can be used to predict how they will be affected by changes in temperature, rainfall and carbon dioxide...

Answering Burning Questions
Answering Burning Questions

Assoc Prof Matthias Boer and colleagues are developing a computer tool that maps where prescribed burning may be most effective...

Plan Bee
Plan Bee

Prof James Cook is leading a five-year, $19 million research push to better understand bees’ role in crop pollination, so that when Varroa arrives, Australia is prepared to minimise the damage...

Meet Our Distinguished Professors
Meet Our Distinguished Professors

“It has been very rewarding to be at the forefront of climate change science and see that this work has been valuable to scientists and citizens alike.” - Distinguished Prof David Tissue

QS University Rankings

 

The international Quacarelli Symonds Subject Rankings are a worldwide ranking of major disciplines. The criteria for designating a ranking are:

  • Academic peer review
  • Faculty/Student ratio
  • Citations per faculty
  • Employer reputation
  • International student ratio
  • A measurement of the diversity of the student community
  • International staff ratio

 

Quacarelli Symonds Rankings Agriculture and Forestry Top 150

Forestry and Agriculture - Top 150 in the world

Global Rankings And Research Quality

Western Sydney University is ranked in the top 3% of universities in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Our research was rated at 5 Stars for Ecological Applications, Soil Sciences, Ecology, Plant Biology, Forestry Sciences by the 2018 Excellence In Research Australia rankings conducted by the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Western Sydney University is ranked among the top 20 Australian universities for achievements in the prestigious Australian Research Council major grants. Nearly a third of the University's ARC grant income is achieved by the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment. Find out more...

Top 20 Universities In The World