Quality Management at Murdoch University

Research Quality

Introduction

Murdoch University’s mission is to extend knowledge, stimulate learning and promote understanding for the benefit of the community.

The research goal is “to be an internationally acclaimed research university performing high quality research with a focus on impact for the benefit of the community and society”.

Murdoch University is a member of the Innovative Research Universities Australia (IRUA). Research performance and innovation are key characteristics of the six universities that comprise this national alliance. The member universities were all established as research-based universities with comprehensive disciplinary coverage and a strong commitment to innovation and an interdisciplinary focus.

Quality Assurance of Research Activities

The University assures the quality of its research activities through the following mechanisms:

• Postgraduate research student surveys.
• 5-yearly Academic Organisational Unit Reviews (School Reviews).
• 5-yearly reviews of research centres and any associated research units.

Policies

University legislation pertinent to research activities includes:

• Establishment and Management of Centres
• Establishment, Management and Review of Research Units within Research Centres
• Academic Organisational Unit Reviews and supporting Code of Conduct

Research Centres and Areas of Strength

Murdoch University either hosts or is in partnership with over 40 Research Centres and Institutes in a wide range of disciplines, including nine Co-operative Research Centres (CRC's) and four State Centres of Excellence.

Murdoch University has focussed its research and established seven Research Institutes, recognising Murdoch's top researchers.  These Research Institutes reflect the University's strengths and multi-disciplinary skills with a focus on issues of international significance.  The seven Research Institutes are:

• Institute for Animal Research
• Institute for Crop and Plant Sciences
• Institute for Media, Creative Arts & Information Technologies
• Institute for Resource Technology
• Institute for Sustainable Ecosystems
• Institute for Sustainable Societies, Education and Politics
• Integrated Health Institute

Conduct of Research and Consultancy Activities

All consultancies must conform to the Consultancy policy.

Other pertinent University legislation includes:

• Animal Ethics
• Guidelines on Joint Authorship for Academic Staff and Postgraduate Research Students
• Human Research Ethics Guidelines
• Policy on Recovery of Infrastructure Costs from External Organisations
• Statute No. 18 – Intellectual Property
• University Protocols for Research with External Agencies

Postgraduate Research Students

Policies

University legislation pertinent to postgraduate research students includes:

• Higher Doctorate Regulations
• Postgraduate Research Degrees Regulations
• Professional Doctorate Regulations
• Statute No. 18 – Intellectual Property