A guide to research

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The DVC(R) is responsible for research, research training, partnerships with industry, commercialisation, Indigenous education and research leadership, and a number of other important strategic areas of the university relating to research, development and industry.

Under the University’s Delegations and Authorisations Policy, the DVC(R) is the delegated position with the authority to approve the submission of research funding applications and sign research-related funding agreements.

Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies

The Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies provides services to academic staff, graduate research candidates, supervisors, research support staff, and the University’s academic leadership to support Charles Sturt’s research strategy and goals. Key areas of the Research Office are Research Analytics, Research Legal, Research Support, Grant Management, and Graduate Research and Scholarships.

Faculties

Charles Sturt’s three Faculties (Arts and Education; Business, Justice & Behavioural Sciences; and Science and Health) comprise a number of Schools for specific areas of study and research.

The Faculties support researchers with:

• Approvals and administration of research projects
• Graduate research candidature administration and management
• Internal funding schemes
• Forums, networking and collaboration

List of Faculties and Schools

• FoAE Research
• FoBJBS Research
• FoSH Research

Research Institutes

Charles Sturt has three Research Institutes designed to bring together staff around coherent research theme:

• Gulbali Institute
• Rural and Regional Health Research Institute
• Cyber Security and Data Science Institute

Research facilities and infrastructure

Our facilities range from world class agricultural precincts to state-of-the-art laboratories and collaboration spaces.

• AgriPark
• Charles Sturt Regional Archives and University Art Collection
• Charles Sturt Rhizolysimeter
• Creative industry equipment
• Environmental and Analytical Laboratories
• Exercise and Sport Science Laboratories
• High Performance Computing Facilities and Labs
• National Life Sciences Hub (NaLSH)
• School of Medicine clinical facilities and equipment
• Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Who are the support people?

Academic support is provided by the Associate Deans (Research) and the Sub-Deans Graduate Studies across the three Faculties at Charles Sturt, as well as the three Research Institute Directors.

Additional support is provided by staff in the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies and Division of Student Success, including:

• Graduate Research Management
• Grant Development Team
• Grant Management Team
• Researcher Development Team
• Research Integrity Unit

Practical support for research projects is provided by Library Services, Spatial Data Analysis Network (SPAN), and Quantitative Consulting Unit (QCU).

Research support contacts
Associate Deans (Research)
Sub-Deans Graduate Studies
Research Institute Directors

Research Narrative

The Charles Sturt Research Narrative sets the university’s research priorities within three interdisciplinary research spheres: resilient people, flourishing communities, and sustainable environments.

Research landscape

Charles Sturt's research strengths lie across a number of Fields of Research, with a focus on:

• Agriculture, land and water
• Sustaining resilient healthy communities
• Regional development
• Cultivation of a civic and just society
• Indigenous research
• Education and Professional Practice

CRO – Charles Sturt University Research Outputs

Charles Sturt University Research Output (CRO) is the University’s repository for research and scholarly outputs created by Charles Sturt staff and students. There is a public showcase website, and a restricted database available only for staff access.

• Getting started with research outputs
• Charles Sturt University Research Output information page

MyResearch

Research Master is the university’s research management system (also referred to as MyResearch). MyResearch is used to review and manage graduate research students and their progress, funded projects, ethics, and research personnel.

MyResearch

Research code of conduct

Charles Sturt researchers are obliged to comply with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018) in their research practices. Enquiries in relation to the Code and its application at Charles Sturt should be directed to the Research Integrity Unit.

Charles Sturt Code of Conduct Research Policy
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018)

Ethics and compliance

Ethics and safety in research is managed by our Research Integrity Unit. All researchers must obtain appropriate ethics approvals before commencing research involving animals or human participants.

Charles Sturt also has a commitment to sustainability including a University Sustainability Statement.

Policies and Procedures

A number of University policies govern the management of research. Everyone involved with research at Charles Sturt needs to refer to the relevant policies

Grant processes

Before you apply for a grant, you should understand the processes related to seeking approval, developing, submitting and managing a research project. All applications for external funding should be submitted via the Research Project Request (RPR) Form in MyResearch.

As a Charles Sturt researcher, you can access and find funding opportunities through the Pivot-RP funding database.

Application Approval and Submission
Funding and Grants
Pivot-RP

Internal funding opportunities

There are various internal funding opportunities available. Ask about the various opportunities for seed grants, travel and conference support, leverage funding, infrastructure support, awards and fellowships.

Supervising Graduate Research students

Research supervision is undertaken by a team of qualified academic staff who guide and support our Graduate Research students. Researchers who are supervising student projects must be listed on the Charles Sturt Register of Supervisors. Workshops to support new and upcoming supervisors are provided by the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies Research Training Calendar.

Tools for researchers

Access Charles Sturt’s Research website for a range of tools, research forms andguidesto undertake and manage your research projects. Including:

• Data analysis software
• Referencing software
• SurveyMonkey
• Cloud and supercomputing
• GIS, image analysis and statistics support

The Library also has information and resources to support researchers through every stage of the research cycle.

Sustainability @ Charles Sturt have also published Sustainable Research Guidelines

Research data, methods and tools
Specialised units –SPAN & QCU
Library support for researchers

Responsibilities and expectations

The standards of performance required of researchers at Charles Sturt depends on the research work function of staff appointments (e.g. research only, teaching and research, or adjunct), which are outlined in the Enterprise Agreement. For teaching and research staff, the allocation of research is typically 30% of an academic workload.

Research Active is an ongoing assessment of individual research performance and is currently used to determine eligibility for Graduate Research student supervision.

Academic workload research allocation
Research Active for HDR principal supervision: The Research Productivity Index (RPI)

Research plan

Academic staff need to complete a 3-year research plan for the Employee Development and Review Scheme (EDRS).

Academic EDRS

Professional development

The Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies Researcher Development team provides a range of programs, workshops, and resources to support your professional development at any stage in your research career.

You can participate in researcher development programs or register for a session on the Research Training calendar

Charles Sturt supports the professional development of academic staff members seeking to obtain a Higher Degree by Research qualification through the Academic staff HDR workload support scheme.

Researcher development

Networking and mentoring

Many opportunities for networking occur informally at the School or discipline group level, including research meetings, seminars, and communities of practice.

Faculties offer a range of networking events for researchers, such as Research forums and Graduate Research forums. The Mentoring @ CSU Handbook provides guidance on how to go about organising or requesting a mentor.

Employee Mentoring Program

Create a web profile

Ask your School and/or Research Institute about creating a Researcher Profile on their webpages, and establish a profile on Charles Sturt University Research Output (CRO).

Researcher Profile Library Guide

Research Groups

Consider joining one of the many research groups across the University:

• Faculty of Arts and Education
• Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences
• Faculty of Science and Health

Communications

The Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies provide a variety of ways to communicate and stay up-to-date with communications including new workshops.  There are Bulletins, newsletters, I2 sites, and a private facebook community.

You can sign up/access there on our Communications page.

The Faculties and Research Centres also distribute research bulletins, which you can subscribe to by contacting your Faculty Research Liaison Officer or Research Centre Business Manager.

Register on Vitae

Vitae provides tools and resources for the professional and career development of researchers. You have full access to the Vitae website as part of our member subscription.

Join The Conversation

Researchers at Charles Sturt regularly publish articles in The Conversation to extend the reach and impact of their work among broader audiences.

Follow on social media

Connect with Charles Sturt researchers through the Charles Sturt Social Hub.

Charles Sturt Graduate Research Facebook page.

Engage with Charles Sturt News

Subscribe to Charles Sturt News, tell the world about your research story, and join Charles Sturt’s list of experts to comment in the media on your area of expertise.