• CSU achieves ‘high’ rating in results of first government assessment of research impact and engagement that delivers community benefits
• Of the 13 disciplines in which CSU was assessed, 11 had medium impact or higher on engagement
• CSU is also co-lead of an Australian Pilot of the Carnegie Classification, which provides a framework to improve university-community relations.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) achieved ‘high’ impact ratings in the Federal Government’s Engagement and Impact Assessment 2018–19 National Report, released on Friday 29 March 2019.

The report was released by Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan, is prepared by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and it is the first national assessment of how universities engage with communities, and the impact of those interactions, outside of academia.

CSU achieved a medium or higher rating in 11 of 13 disciplines assessed for engagement, and 11 of 15 disciplines assessed for impact.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Development and Industry Professor Heather Cavanagh said the results were indicative of CSU’s focus on producing research in line with the University ethos and continually investing in community engagement.

“These results confirm that Charles Sturt University is delivering on its mission to build knowledge and skills in our regions through innovative, applied research that engages with the community to generate positive change,” Professor Cavanagh said.

“Our ethos is described by the Wiradjuri phrase, yindyamarra winhanganha, meaning the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.

“These words are how we do business, and the results show that we are an engaged University that improves our world.”

The University’s current Strategy has renewed attention to measures including research impact and community engagement, particularly for regional Australia.

“Charles Sturt achieved the premium ‘high’ impact rating in Indigenous Research, Biological Sciences, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Studies in Human Society and Studies in Creative Arts and Writing,” Professor Cavanagh said.

“This indicates that Charles Sturt made a highly significant contribution in these disciplines and made a real difference to industry, agriculture, community, Indigenous culture and the arts.”

The study provides the first national baseline for how well Universities engage their communities and create community impact from research.

CSU is also co-lead for the first implementation of the Carnegie Classification, a framework that enables Universities to understand, measure, and develop community interactions that aims to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.

It is a framework already in use in many American universities.

These results follow on from the recent ARC Excellence in Research Australia report, where CSU was ranked well above world standard in key research fields.

More information about CSU’s results in the EI 2018 report

• The University achieved the premium ‘high’ impact rating in Indigenous Research, Biological Sciences, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Studies in Human Society and Studies in Creative Arts and Writing
• The University achieved a medium impact rating in a further 6 disciplines: Environmental Sciences; Education; Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services; Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; Philosophy and Religious Studies; and Interdisciplinary.
• The University achieved medium and high ratings for engagement in 11 of 13 disciplines in which CSU was assessed. These disciplines include: Environmental Sciences; Biological Sciences; Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences; Information and Computing Sciences; Engineering; Public and Allied Health Sciences; Education; Studies In Human Society; Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; Studies In Creative Arts and Writing; and, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
• The EI 2018 ratings were earned by providing evidence of engagement and impact outside of academia.
• Charles Sturt’s results were achieved based on benefits delivered to farmers, exporters, health, water users & the environment, food processors, older persons, business, policing, schools & education, indigenous culture, and creative arts.