Research Australia

Research Australia is a national not-for-profit alliance of organisations and
companies that are committed to making health research a higher national priority.

Features

Research Australia Awards 2011

Annual General Meeting 2011

On Thursday 17 November, Research Australia held its AGM in Melbourne. Part of the proceedings was the election of six new board members to the Research Australia board of directors.

The six new members reflect not only the stature, but also the diversity of organisations represented in Research Australia’s membership, and Research Australia welcomes the new board with great hopes for their contributions in the coming year. 

New board members:

• Dr. Alison Butt - Director Research Investment, National Breast Cancer Foundation 

• Professor Janet Hiller - Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor of Public Health, Australian Catholic University

• Mr. Geoff Joyce - Executive Director, Macquarie Group Limited 

• Dr. Anna Lavelle - Chief Executive Officer, Ausbiotech 

• Dr. Brendan Shaw - Chief Executive Officer, Medicines Australia 

• Mr. Barry Thomas - Cook Medical Vice President, Director – Asia Pacific & Managing Director, Cook Australia

Reappointment:

• Mr. Ross Bruce Hawker - Founder and Managing Director of Campaigns and Communications

 In order for our new board members to be elected, others have stepped down, and Research Australia thanks the following retiring board members for their contribution to the organisation:

• Professor John Catford
• Mr. John Grant
• Mr. Gerald Moriarty
• Professor Alastair Stewart

Research Australia also released our Annual Report for 2011. Read the report here.

UNSW to unlock intellectual property for business

In a first for Australia, the University of New South Wales will offer the majority of its intellectual property to companies for free, in a revolutionary effort to turn more university research into real-world applications.   The pioneer of Easy Access, Kevin Cullen, will implement this strategy at UNSW as the new head of New South Innovations, the universitys commercialisation company. Dr Cullen initiated the approach while the Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Glasgow.   UNSW will join a handful of universities worldwide including the University of Glasgow, Kings College London and the University of Copenhagen that are utilising the Easy Access approach, in a radical plan to spark greater collaboration between universities and industry.   Under the new approach of Easy Access IP, a selection of UNSWs intellectual property will now be offered to the private sector to develop for free, with simplified, one-page agreements replacing complicated licensing negotiations.

Read the full story.

 Youth Ambassador's Royal Appointment

Research Australia's 2010 WA Youth Ambassador had a once in a lifetime oppotunity last week to meet HRH Queen Elizabeth at her Perth garden party. AlyshaLoffler, a 14 year old straight A student, who is aiming for a career in health and medical research, is driven by a desire to help find a cure for the rare bone density disease which she suffers from. She was acconpanied to the event by her family and Research Australia CEO Elizabeth Foley. See the full video report here.

Read the full Senate report 

Download Research Australia's media release on the issue.

NEW PUBLICATION 

Research Australia has released “Shaping Up: Trends and Statistics in Funding Health and Medical Research” which provides comprehensive data about the current status, future opportunities and challenges facing Australia’s health and medical research sector. Download the media release and the report 

Download report