Research at Western

Western Sydney University is a research institution driven by impact. We believe excellent research and practical outcomes are essential parts of our overarching research mission. Our research has real impact upon the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of our regional, national and international communities.

The University invites outstanding graduate researchers, innovative new generation researchers and established researchers to consider joining or collaborating with us.

Professor Ian Anderson
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise

Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings Success

#1 university in the world. Four years running.

For an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, Western Sydney University has topped the 2025 Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, out of more than 2,300 higher education institutions across over 130 countries.

Why? Because being number one means leading with purpose, and showing the world the way. From using 100 per cent GreenPower-accredited electricity, to providing electric vehicle charging stations and adopting innovative waste practices that divert 89 per cent of campus waste from landfill – sustainability is embedded in how our campuses operate.

We are also making impact well beyond our own backyard. The Managing Aquifer Recharge and Sustaining Groundwater Use through Village-level Intervention (MARVI) project, led by Western researchers, is transforming how groundwater is managed in India. By training local women as water stewards, the project is improving food security and livelihoods in communities facing climate change – and positioning women as powerful leaders in local decision-making.

At Western, we believe you can start local and go far. You’ll find a community that’s dedicated to helping you discover your strengths, reach your potential and make an impact that goes beyond campus.

About the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings

The Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings assess universities on their commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Institutions are assessed against performance indicators across teaching; research; international outlook; and industry and community engagement. These rankings are based on research, outreach and stewardship and are the only ranking system in the world to assess higher education’s sustainability impact.

Research Spotlight

National Institute of Complementary Medicine

The National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) is Australia's leader in integrative and complementary medicine research and policy. Seed funded by the Commonwealth and NSW State Governments, NICM plays a key national role in ensuring Australians have access to reliable evidence on complementary medicines and treatments in wide use. As an ERA 5 ranking institute, NICM is globally recognised for its world-class research and innovations in integrative and complementary medicine.

Located in the Westmead Health and Innovation District, NICM Pharmaceutical Manufacturing offers tailored solutions for your Good Manufacturing Practice needs. Our state-of-the-art facilities house cutting-edge equipment and technologies and TGA-accredited analytical chemistry laboratories and manufacturing capabilities. We have a team of experts in product formulation, process development and manufacturing.

If you’re looking to manufacture natural or pharmaceutical products for clinical trials, undertake comprehensive GMP training, or formulate, test and develop new commercial products, NICM's dedicated team is here to help.

Research

Research provides an integrated suite of services supporting the University's research effort through the development of contracts and agreements, and the provision of application advice and grant writing support to researchers; research policy implementation and development; maintenance and provision of research data; and the monitoring and promotion of ethical research practice.

See Research for more information.

Business Services

Business Services connects business, government and the community with the University by establishing external linkages and identifying partnership opportunities for commercial research, professional consultancy, commercialisation opportunities, access to intellectual property and expertise, and to the University's cutting-edge research facilities. Our team of dedicated business support professionals is available to discuss your specific needs and interests.

See Business Services for more information.

Research Infrastructure

Western's world-leading research facilities

Impactful change is driven by word-leading research and world-leading research requires world-leading facilities. At Western Sydney University, our facilities provide researchers and collaborators with the best the world has to offer. Equipping stakeholders with technical expertise and the instruments and technologies needed to drive meaningful change. Working with Western means engaging with world-class infrastructure, world leading researchers and benefiting from unprecedented investment in the region.

See Research Infrastructure for more information.

Our Stories

Researchers call for change to gestational diabetes treatment and management An international team of researchers led by Western's Distinguished Professor David Simmons have published a new Lancet Series challenging current approaches to the management and treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).	Eucalyptus trees hindered by soil microbes in elevated CO2 environments Researchers at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment have published a groundbreaking study in the journal Nature finding that elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels may actually limit tree growth in elevated CO2 environments.
1 Million Turtles wins Eureka Prize The 1 Million Turtles Conservation Program has won the 2023 Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.	Stellar new camera tech deployed to the ISS Data received following deployment of groundbreaking neuromorphic cameras on the International Space Station.