Impactful research recognised at Western Sydney University

2016 Impact Research Competition Winner, Dr Ian Wright.

With world-leading research projects underway at Western Sydney University, the Research Impact Competition provides the perfect opportunity to showcase high-quality projects making a difference to the community and nation alike.

Held annually at the University during Research Week, the Research Impact Competition presents current projects that will influence communities, businesses, industries and government.

Academics from a variety of disciplines will have just five minutes and one PowerPoint slide to present their project and the ways in which their research has made significant differences to the broader community. This year, 12 Early Career Researchers across nine Schools and three Institutes will present to a general audience of staff, students and external stakeholders at the competition.

2016 Research Impact winner Dr Ian Wright from the School of Science and Health says the competition lends the opportunity to think about the collective contributions of research in social, economic and environmental contexts.

Dr Wright’s research on the Wingecarribee River recently had a large impact on legal and environmental procedures after he discovered pollution from the Berrima Coal mine.

“Impactful research is what drives change and academics should always be asking themselves ‘How will Australia benefit by knowing this research?’” he says.

Dr Wright believes researchers should seize any opportunity to connect with a decision maker, to ensure their research doesn't stay in the lab but instead is used to help benefit the community.

The Research Impact Competition will be held on 24 October from 3pm to 5.30pm at the Peter Shergold Building, Parramatta (level 9, Room 3 and 4).

Early Career research presenters

AcademicSchool/ InstituteResearch topic
Dr Thomas JeffriesHawkesbury Institute for The EnvironmentHarnessing Microbiomics for Ecosystem Health
Dr Philippa CollinInstitute for Culture and SocietyCtrl Shift: changing the debate on young people’s technology practice and impacting policy and practice from Granville to Geneva
Dr Sandra GarridoMARCS InstituteMusic and Mood Regulation in Adolescents and Older Adults with Depression
Dr Kathy TannousSchool of BusinessThe Health and Economic Impact of Residential Fires.

Dr Quang Vinh Nguyen

School of Computing Engineering and MathematicsEnabling Effective Clinical Decisions with Data Analytics
Dr Rachael JacobsSchool of EducationAssessing Creativity: imagination and Impact
Dr Rachel MorleySchool of Humanities and Communication ArtsAgeing Creatively: creative writing as a tool for healthy ageing
Dr Patrick FoongSchool of LawRegulating Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Dr Mark HohenbergSchool of MedicineWhat We Need as We Get Older: perceptions from elders and health care staff in the Macarthur region of Sydney
Dr Diana JefferiesSchool of Nursing and MidwiferyThe Mockingbird Project: raising awareness about postnatal psychosis
Dr Julien BrugniauxSchool of Science and HealthTurning up the Heat on Diabetes
Dr Michael SalterSchool of Social Sciences and PsychologyOrganised Child Sexual Abuse: prevention, detection and treatment

ENDS.

19 October 2017

Jessica Cortis, Media Unit