On Monday, the University community came together to share a vision of world-leading research with world-changing impact. Three years into the implementation of the Strategic Research Framework 2015-2024, Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) presented the 2017 Research ‘Weather Report’.

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Professor Pretorius compared Macquarie’s comprehensive research profile to the sector. As a research-intensive university, Macquarie must compete and collaborate nationally and internationally. Expectations of what universities do and how they do it are changing and Macquarie must evolve in order to meet the needs of tomorrow.

“This is about our academic front line and our professional staff,” said Professor Pretorius, “only through close cooperation will we achieve our common goals.”

Macquarie continues to lead the sector in higher degree research completions growth and our completions per full-time equivalent academic staff are without peer. Higher degree research forms the backbone of any research-intensive university and the success of the Master of Research degree continues to reinforce Macquarie’s research capacity.

Macquarie’s external research income has grown substantially over the past few years, outpacing the Australian sector for growth. As the Australian Government places greater emphasis on engagement and impact measures Macquarie must focus on growing research funding in categories 2-4 while maintaining its trajectory of success in category 1 Australian Competitive Grants.

“I’ve long said that we need to hunt in packs,” said Professor Pretorius, “through strategic collaborations with industry and international partners we will accelerate our research performance.”

For the first time, Macquarie has moved into the top 200 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities. This is a major milestone and signals Macquarie is on the path to being a global top 150 university by 2024.

To watch the full presentation, click here.