World-leading research in Australia’s universities highlights the breakthrough work of our nation’s brilliant university research teams in fields as diverse as medicine, astronomy, agriculture, food technology, mining, engineering, culture and communities.

Commissioned by the Department of Education and Training, the book will be launched by the Minister in his keynote dinner address to Universities Australia’s Higher Education Conference 2016.

“This publication demonstrates, in an engaging way, the depth and breadth of Australia’s university research, skills and ingenuity,” said Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson.

“Australian universities are striving to deliver the next big research breakthroughs that will benefit billions of people around the world and deliver returns to Australia’s economy,” she said.

“We are global leaders in new fields like quantum computing, delivering the world’s first working quantum bit and quantum-logic device in silicon.

“Our medical research has resulted in internationally-recognised innovations like spray-on skin for the treatment of burns and silicone hydrogel contact lenses. These are just some of the many breakthroughs being produced by our universities.”

In his foreword, Minister Birmingham says high-quality Australian research is central to the economic, cultural and social advancement of our nation.

“The health and wellbeing of millions of people around the world depends upon inventions and innovations from the leading-edge research developed within Australia’s world-class universities,” he said.

“On behalf of the Australian Government, I am proud to support the universities, the researchers and the research infrastructure that produce the outstanding research recognised in this publication.”

Australia’s ability to compete in the race for new jobs and new industries depends on the global strength of our universities.

The many compelling examples in World-leading research in Australia’s universities include:

• researchers at the ARC Centre for Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology are pushing the boundaries of nanomedicine in seeking new ways to target drugs to a tumour without interfering with other cells;
• researchers and companies in the Parkville biomedical precinct in Victoria are collaborating in creating and commercialising numerous medical and technical innovations, including Relenza® and Recaldent®;
• researchers from universities, aerospace industry companies and space agencies at the Cooperative Research Centre for Space Environment Management are helping scientists find and track Earth-orbiting debris that could do serious damage to satellites;
• the Deakin University-designed OzBot brought to an end a 44-hour siege in suburban Melbourne in 2012;
• the University of New England’s SMART Farm is developing technologies to help farmers improve crop and livestock management;
• the Menzies School of Health Research at Charles Darwin University is partnering with over 60 Indigenous communities and 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to improve health and wellbeing, saving $3 in public health spending for every $1 invested;
• roboticists, psychologists and philosophers at the ARC Centre for Excellence for the Dynamics of Language are exploring how our minds acquire and exploit languages, and have developed advanced language-learning robots; and
• the Centre for Exploration Targeting in Western Australia is delivering research results that are increasing both the rate and quality of mineral discoveries.