From Professor Zahid Islam Associate Dean (Research)
Dear Colleagues,
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of research, particularly the invaluable role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in driving innovation and impact. Our Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences at CSU is a vibrant hub of diverse expertise and strengths, ideally positioned to lead the way in this exciting journey.
Our university has made significant investments in three key research institutes – Gulbali, AICF, and RHRI – embodying a wealth of knowledge in agriculture, water and environment, data science and cybersecurity, and rural health. These institutes are strong pillars of academic excellence and may serve as gateways to multidisciplinary research opportunities for us. By aligning our research endeavours with these institutes, we may open doors to an array of resources and opportunities that can significantly enrich our projects and expertise.
The beauty of cross-disciplinary research perhaps lies in its ability to broaden our academic horizons, making our work not only more competitive but also more relevant to real-world challenges. It can be a strategy that may propel our findings into high-impact journals and attract external funding. In my previous role as the Academic Lead for the Cyber Security CRC (CSCRC), I experienced firsthand the synergy of combining strengths in agriculture and cybersecurity – two apparently distinct fields that, when brought together, made CSU one of the leading research institutes in Australia on the topic perhaps due to our investment, track record and strength in agriculture and cyber security.
In CSU, certain disciplines benefit from the presence of seasoned academics who provide invaluable mentorship. However, it is possible to have some instances where senior mentorship support might be less available in some disciplines, due to various reasons. This also underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary research, where collaboration with experts from various fields can cultivate a mentorship culture that benefits all. As researchers, we thrive in teams that combine experience with fresh and energetic perspectives. Such partnerships not only enhance our professional development but also strengthen our research capacity and networks.
Cross-disciplinary efforts allow us to share the workload, enabling us to address more complex questions and undertake ambitious projects. This approach not only fosters innovative thinking but also equips us to holistically address societal challenges, drawing from a mixture of disciplines.
As we step into the festive season and look towards a new year, may I encourage all of us to consider the potential of cross-disciplinary research, when possible. If we haven’t already, may we explore how our work could intersect with other fields and embrace the opportunity available to us. Whenever feasible and useful, may we carefully consider stepping out of our comfort zone to engage with new ideas and build transformative partnerships.
Together, let’s seize the chance to explore, innovate, and redefine the boundaries of what is possible in research. The research we undertake today, in collaboration across disciplines, could very well lay the foundation for the academic fields of tomorrow.
Wishing you all a wonderful festive season and an inspiring new year filled with collaborative ventures and ground-breaking discoveries.