From the Dean

It is with great pleasure that we present the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences Research Report for 2005.

This year was a time for consolidation of research under the new Faculty structure, and it is pleasing to be able to report that the Faculty delivered an excellent research performance during the year. The research will help to inform our undergraduate teaching programs, and provide exceptional career opportunities for our graduates. continued ...

It is also pleasing to note that media interest in the research undertaken within the Faculty continued to be high, with our research projects attracting approximately half of the media interest for the Higher Education area at Swinburne.

The DataBlitz research seminars that were held throughout the year enjoyed a high level of participation by staff from within the Faculty, the greater University and general public. It is pleasing to report that the topic themes of each of these seminars identified areas of research synergy between researchers from different areas of the Faculty, and were often the catalyst for further research discussions. I have no doubt that new collaborative research programs will result from these discussions.

Research success comes about as a direct result of planning and hard work, and the Faculty researchers are to be congratulated for their effort in these areas. I extend my thanks to Professor Michael Gilding (Deputy Dean – Research), the Centre Directors, the members of the Faculty Research Committee, and importantly the Faculty’s researchers and students for their contributions during 2005.

I would also like to acknowledge the highly valued support received from our industry partners and sponsors that have helped support our research endeavours.

Professor Russell Crawford   
 Dean,
Faculty of Life
and Social Sciences