Research Week showcases best of Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University is throwing open its doors to the public for Research Week, the annual showcase of new and high-quality research making a difference to the region and the nation.

Marked by a series of special public events across Western Sydney, Research Week sees academics join government and industry partners to present the key findings from their original projects.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Development, Professor Scott Holmes, says the University is dedicated to pursuing research with an impact outside academia.

"Western Sydney University is an institution committed to advancing Australia's understanding of the world, and using this knowledge to improve our wealth and wellbeing," says Professor Holmes.

"In the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) national report, 70 per cent of the University's assessed research is rated at world standard or above."

"By working with our partners in government and business, we can unlock our institutional knowledge to ensure it helps shape the nation's policy and industry settings."

The following events are being held during Research Week. For more information please contact the event organisers.

Ideas Lab: Innovation Corridor, Tuesday 27 October

Government, industry and community stakeholders will discuss the University's Innovation Corridor strategy, a proposal to develop Sydney's outer orbital arc into a series of knowledge-driven commercial hubs. Stretching from Campbelltown to the Hawkesbury, the Innovation Corridor will provide business sites for emerging industries, and spur growth in the accelerator model of firm development through seed money and mentoring.

Research Impact Competition, Tuesday 27 October, Parramatta South campus, 3pm

The competition gathers 13 of Western's promising academics to present their research findings to the public in under five minutes. After taking questions from the judging panel and the audience, the overall winner will be presented with a $5,000 prize to assist future projects. The competition is a celebration of research with impact: studies that change our thinking and have the potential to reshape the region, the nation and the world. 

Mimetic Theory and Film, Tuesday 27 October, Bankstown Campus, 9am

Mimetic Theory and Film looks at the possibilities of utilising René Girard's mimetic theory to analyse film. The one-day workshop features presentations from three highly distinguished international guests, as well as a round table with University experts from Philosophy at Western Sydney University 

Ausbiotech: Biobeers and Bubbles, Wednesday 28 October, Kingswood campus, 5.30pm

In partnership with AusBiotech, the University will host a networking event for researchers and practitioners in the biotechnology sectors. Hosted at MakerSpace facility, the site of Western's 3D Printing Hub, Fabrication Lab, Robotics, Programming and Virtual Reality laboratories, the event will showcase some of the University's diverse biotech expertise including medical device technology and agritechnology.

Equity in Education Policy, Thursday 29 October, Kingswood campus, 5pm

Social justice and education funding will be discussed at a public lecture facilitated by the Dean of the School of Education, Professor Michele Simons, from the Centre for Educational Research and the School of Education. Guest speaker Professor Bob Lingard, from the University of Queensland, will present "Rearticulating and Contesting Equity in Education Policy".

Journey to Horseshoe Bend, Friday 30 October, State Library of NSW, 9am

The symposium will launch the new edition of the classic Australian memoir Journey to Horseshoe Bend, issued by Western's publishing house Giramondo Publishing. Authors and academics will discuss the significance of Ted Strehlow's autobiographical novel set in Central Australia, which has inspired film, art and music for generations. After being out of print for several decades, the reappearance of this seminal Australian classic is a major literary event.

Ends

20 October 2015

Mark Smith, Senior Media Officer