A guide to research
This guide contains an orientation to the University’s research community, and information to assist you with understanding the systems, processes, policies and strategies for undertaking your research at Charles Sturt University. The guide also helps you to find the information you need to develop as a successful researcher and become part of our vibrant research community. For further support or advice please get in touch with our friendly staff in the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies.
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Orientation chevron_right
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Engagement)
The DVC (RE) 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 (RE) 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, Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates, HDR supervisors, research support staff, and the University’s academic leadership to support Charles Sturt's research strategy and goals. Key areas of the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies are Research Analytics, Research Legal, Research Support, Grant Management, HDR and Scholarships.
Faculties
Charles Sturt's three Faculties (Arts and Education, Business, Justice & Behavioural Sciences, and Science and Health) comprise a number of Schools and Centres for specific areas of study and research.
The Faculties support researchers with:
- Approvals and administration of research projects
- HDR candidature administration and management
- Internal funding schemes
- Forums, networking and collaboration
Further Information:
- Research in the Faculty of Arts and Education
- Research in the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences
- Research in the Faculty of Science and Health
Research Centres
Charles Sturt has four Research Centres designed to bring together staff around a coherent research theme. Membership to the Research Centres is open to active researchers at Charles Sturt. Individuals must meet eligibility criteria and apply to become a member.
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation
- National Wine and Grape Industry Centre
- Institute for Land, Water and Society
- Centre for Public and Contextual Theology
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 four Research Centre Directors.
Each Faculty has a Faculty Research Liaison Officer and a Faculty Graduate Studies Liaison Officer.
Research Centres have a designated Centre Business Manager.
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation
- National Wine and Grape Industry Centre
- Institute for Land, Water and Society
- Centre for Public and Contextual Theology
These staff in both the Faculties and the Centres provide support to researchers.
Additional administrative support is provided by staff in the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies and Student Services. Practical support for research projects is provided by Library Services, Spatial Data Analysis Network (SPAN), and Quantitative Consulting Unit (QCU).
Research facilities and infrastructure
Our facilities range from world class agricultural precincts to state-of-the-art laboratories and collaboration spaces.
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Understanding University systems, processes, policies, strategies chevron_right
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 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.
MyResearch
Research Master is the university’s research management system (also referred to as MyResearch). MyResearch is used to review and manage HDR students and their progress, funded projects, ethics, and research personnel. MyResearch login.
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, Ethics and Compliance Unit.
Ethics and compliance
Ethics and safety in research is managed by our Ethics and Compliance Unit. All researchers must obtain appropriate ethics approvals before commencing research involving animals or human participants.
Grant processes
Before you apply for a grant, you should understand the processes related to seeking approval, developing, submitting and managing a research project on our Funding and Grants webpage.
As a Charles Sturt researcher you can access and find funding opportunities through the Research Professional funding database.
Internal funding opportunities
There are various internal funding opportunities through Schools, Faculties, Research Centres, DVC-RE, and Charles Sturt University Green to support your research. Ask about the various opportunities for seed grants, travel and conference support, leverage funding, infrastructure support, awards and fellowships.
- DVC (RDI) Strategic Funding
- FoAE funding opportunities
- FoBJBS funding news
- FoSH funding opportunities
- Charles Sturt University Green grants
Supervising HDR students
Research supervision is undertaken by a team of qualified academic staff who guide and support our Higher Degree Research (HDR) students. Researchers who are supervising HDR 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 Professional Development program.
Tools for researchers
Access Charles Sturt’s Research Hub for a range of tools, guides and electronic forms to undertake and manage your research projects.
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Developing as a researcher chevron_right
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 HDR student supervision.
- Institutional assessments of research performance
- Academic workload research allocation
- Research Active status for HDR supervision
Research plan
Academic staff need to complete a 3-year research plan for the Employee Development and Review Scheme (EDRS).
Professional development
The Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies Professional Development team provide a range of programs, workshops, and resources to support your continued development at any stage in your research career. Early career researchers are encouraged to enrol in My Research Career, to help get you started. You can register for a session on the Research PD calendar, and access previous recordings and resources from the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies Interact2 site.
Charles Sturt supports the professional development of Academic staff members seeking to obtain a Higher Degree by Research qualification through a research workload support scheme.
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 HDR forums. The Mentoring @ CSU Handbook provides guidance on how to go about organising or requesting a mentor.
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Becoming part of the research community chevron_right
Create a web profile
Ask your School and/or Research Centre about creating a profile on their webpages, and establish a profile on Charles Sturt University Research Output (CRO).
Researcher Profile Library Guide
Sign up for Bulletins
The Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies provide a monthly Bulletin, bringing together research news from around Charles Sturt.
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 CSU Social Hub.
Twitter: @CSUArts_Edu; @ilwscsu; @GrahamCentre; @NWGICwagga; @CSUMedia; @CSUpostdocs
Facebook: @ILWS.CSU; @GrahamCentreForAgriculturalInnovation; @CSUpostdocs
Engage with CSU News
Subscribe to CSU 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.
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