2024 was a big year in research for the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).
With the new year well and truly underway, we're looking forward to continuing to deliver world-class research in 2025.
Check out all the latest updates and achievements from Research and Innovation at UniSQ!
Research News
Research Income
In 2024, our total research income was approximately $40.58 million, which included $37.9 million of reportable research income via the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) (unaudited). This is an approximate 5.7% increase from 2023 and a wonderful reflection on the efforts of both academic and professional staff in delivering financially viable research outcomes.
International Rankings
We were ranked in the Top 400 of the Quacquarelli- Symonds (QS) World University Rankings in 2024 ranking =396. This is our second QS rankings increase in two years, moving from 410 in 2023 and 651-700 in 2022.
We have also maintained our ranking in the Top 400 (351-400 band) in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2025 and are ranked 58 in the world in the THE Young University Rankings.
Our current international rankings performance will continue to be a point of focus for our research leadership over 2025.
Research Outputs
Comparing 2024 to the previous year, our volume of research outputs recorded in global database SciVal has sharply increased (approximately 21%). Overall, the quality of journals where papers are being submitted is increasing (a greater proportion of Q1 journals [top 25% by citation impact] and D1 journals [top 10% by citation impact]).
HDR Program Completions
131 students completed an HDR program in 2024, inclusive of 35% international students and 65% domestic students. 77% of HDR program completions were in a PhD program. The Graduate Research School awarded 51 scholarships to support HDR students in their research and studies over the year.
Research Spotlight: Quantum at UniSQ
Australia has a significant strength in quantum science research with substantial research funding being invested by federal and state governments, defence and the commercial sectors.
The Australian Government has recognised the competitive advantage of quantum science and the need for investment for a future industry based on quantum technology. There will be significant science and technology developments that will become mainstream industries requiring higher education support for education, research and development
We have already begun to engage and participate in the quantum revolution on a number of exciting projects:
- Professor Brad Carter (Dean [Research Infrastructure] and Director [Centre for Astrophysics]) and Professor Robert Sang (Head of School and Dean [Mathematics, Physics and Computing]) were awarded a $3.4 million grant from the Queensland Government Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program to create the National Cryogenics Electronics Measurement Facility. The new national test and measurement facility will provide critical cryogenic infrastructure for Australia's quantum and advanced manufacturing sector, enabling the development of quantum hardware, semiconductors, sensors, and superconductors primarily for the aerospace, medical, and energy industries. The Facility was one of three UniSQ-led projects that received funding support from the Queensland Government under the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy.
- Associate Professor Toan Dinh from the School of Engineering, Professor Stephen Bird and Associate Professor Dean Mills from the School of Health and Medical Sciences, and Professor John Bell were awarded $832,411 through the Quantum 2032 Challenge program. They will partner with researchers at the University of Technology Sydney to develop quantum and advanced wearable sensor technology for injury prevention in youth athletes.
- We received a $200,000 Global Talent Attraction PhD scholarship through the Quantum and Advanced Technologies Talent Building Program, to be awarded to an international HDR student who identifies as a woman or non-binary for research in quantum science or advanced technologies.
