$1.5 million for Communications Research Network
The
profile of Australian telecommunications research will receive a significant
boost following the University of South Australia’s success in winning
Australian Research Council funding worth $1.5 million over five years to
establish the Australian Communications Research Network (ACoRN).
ARC research networks are new platforms designed to bring together researchers at the forefront of their fields of expertise to share their knowledge in interdisciplinary settings, to collaborate and to work together for the benefit of the nation’s future.
ACoRN brings together an impressive network of more than 120 esteemed researchers working in the field of information and communication technologies both nationally and internationally, according to Network Convenor, Professor Lars Rasmussen who, with Professor Alex Grant, from UniSA’s Institute for Telecommunications Research, was instrumental in coordinating the bid.
“Information and communication technology is a key contributor to national productivity and growth. By building on a strong platform of existing research excellence, the network aims to inspire new collaborative initiatives in emerging wired and wireless communications that will lead to technological advancement in telecommunications,” Professor Rasmussen said.
The
network will support nation-wide collaborative research in four main areas:
mobile and wireless data communications, broadband and optical fixed
networks, rural communications and fundamentals of emerging media.
Specific network objectives are to consolidate existing linkages, facilitate multidisciplinary research, establish new links, stimulate commercial activity, improve postgraduate education and increase international prominence.
“Our current vision involves a range of programs including student and researcher mobility, national and international workshops, postgraduate coursework coordination and knowledge management systems.
“The mobility program will enable domestic and international visiting opportunities for students and researchers within ACoRN, domestic internships in collaboration with industry, and opportunities for international researchers to work within ACoRN. It will also initiate an alumni society for expatriate Australians,” Professor Rasmussen said.
A forum for national and international technical meetings will be offered by ACoRN to coordinate international conferences and workshops held in Australia, bi-lateral workshops with relevant organisations and nations, and industry workshops.
The coordination of course work schedules, institutional agreements and student mobility will enable postgraduate students within ACoRN to undertake relevant coursework network-wide. Summer/winter schools will also be offered covering important disciplinary, interdisciplinary or thematic subjects.
ACoRN will also establish an advanced system of knowledge management through its website. Activities will include a newsletter, internal review processes and electronic journals for pre-prints. Researchers will be encouraged to use information and communications technologies to establish a virtual presence across geographical boundaries, strengthening the sense of community. ACoRN also aims to inform the general public as well as showcase Australian research capabilities domestically and internationally.
The ACoRN website design and navigation was undertaken by Professor Grant, UniSA’s youngest professor and recent winner of a Tall Poppy Science Award; while the knowledge management systems were developed by UniSA’s Steven Gordon using Coldfusion and mySol.