Victoria University strives for internationally recognised research success especially in quality research outcomes aligned with our research focus areas.
Our researchers partner and collaborate with institutions and industry groups across the globe. Our researchers use these opportunities to undertake joint research projects, and further their research activities overseas. Global issues are often a focus of our research, particularly as we enter the Asian Century.
In addition to the collaborative research undertaken with education partners in Asia and across the globe, we also work in partnership with local and global organisations. These include the World Health Organisation and our long standing alliance with Timor-Leste.
With 15 research disciplines ranked at or above world standard in the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) assessments, Victoria University offers world-class research opportunities.
Our research community, much like our student community is rich and diverse. We host international researchers from many different countries and cultural backgrounds, many of whom achieve great success.
Industry and community development
Our collaborative and commercial research activities have real world applications and aim to find evidence based solutions to important contemporary challenges in Australia, Asia and globally.
At VU, we rate highly for our research excellence, performing strongly in the citations pillar of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016/17, in which we rank in the top 2% of universities worldwide.
Timor-Leste
Victoria University has provisioned education assistance to Timor-Leste through education and scholarship opportunities, a specialised training course delivered in-country, and joint conferences focussing on the development of the independent nation.
Many of these activities are the result of our association with institutions such as the Dili Institute of Technology and the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e.
In 2009, Victoria University admitted the degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa to His Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The award recognised his contribution to the establish the independence of Timor-Leste.
International sport development
We are a leader in sport education and research. Our Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL) undertakes an array of research activity in collaboration with Australian sporting bodies including the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport.
We also take a global approach to sports research with research programs projects focusing on:
- international sport policy and success
- sporting excellence in India working with the Australia-India Council
- Sports Tech Incubator (Start Up Village) India
- socio-cultural and tourism dimensions of the Olympic Games.
In 2015 we received the highest ERA rating of 5 (well-above world standard) in human movement and sports science, and a rating of 4 (above world standard) in medical physiology.
Building better learning outcomes between Australia and India
Undertaken by the Victoria Institute and funded by the Australia India Education Council (AIEC), this research focused on institutional collaboration between Australia and India in higher education, and finding avenues for improvement.
Sustainable energy use in China
In collaboration with China’s National Development and Reform Commission’s (NDRC) Energy Research Institute (ERI), our Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies is conducting research into sustainable energy use in China. We have a focus on policy development and decision making.
This research is funded by the Australian Department of Climate Change, and includes sustainability and climate change projects including:
- Low-carbon cities in China
- More sustainable energy use in China: economic structure and the application of new technologies project.
eWHO Steps 2.0
In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), researchers for our Centre of Applied Informatics recently developed the eSTEPS 2.0 software, a handheld computer-based data collection system.
The system aims to transform the paper-based STEPS questionnaire into an electronic form. eSTEPS can run from a PDA, incorporating automatic skips, valid range checks and automatic assigning of ID numbers, and other functions for data collections.
Joint research opportunities
At Victoria University, we take a multidisciplinary approach to our research and strive to develop innovative technologies that benefit students, industry and the broader community. We inspire and support research students to set new standards and make a substantial contribution to their field.
Whether our researchers are working alongside pre-school teachers, Olympic athletes, Timor-Leste farmers, or in collaboration with the Chinese Government, we consider our international partnerships to be long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations.
Australia-China Joint Lab on Social Computing and e-Health
The Australia-China Joint Lab on Social Computing and e-Health is a joint initiative between Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Science (GUCAS) and VU. It explores the development of information technology and how the internet is changing the way health care data is managed in China.
Professor Yanchun Zhang is the director of this joint initiative. He is a leading researcher in his field and the director of the Centre for Applied Informatics at VU.
University of Texas at El Paso
In 2007, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and Victoria University formed a unique partnership to further the social and community objectives for each respective institution. The partnership allows for an exchange of ideas, programs and shared strategies for community engagement. It also creates opportunities for research to be conducted to support community development.
In 2012, this partnership was recognised for innovation in international education by the Institute of International Education. The award was for the learning experiences and opportunities offered to students and staff as a result of this partnership.
In 2016, we look forward to welcoming a delegation from UTEP as part of a raft of centenary events and celebrations.
Women in sport
The women in sport project aims to assist managers to recruit and retain women in community sport and physical activity programs. It is conducted in partnership with the University of Malaya, as well as Women’s Sport and Recreations Australia and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation Malaya.
This project is part of a wider research focus on sport, diversity and community development, and is one of many sport-based research projects undertaken by our Institute for Sport Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL).
Establish a research partnership
Find out more about establishing an international research partnership with Victoria University including research exchange, joint international PhD programs and establishing a collaborative research project.
