UniSQ researchers are continuing to deliver research with real-world impact, securing major competitive funding, earning national and international recognition, and strengthening partnerships that address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
As the University enters the second half of 2026, the breadth of research activity reflects growing momentum across disciplines – from agriculture, engineering and health to artificial intelligence, sustainability and the social sciences.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Commercialisation) Professor Robert Sang said the University’s research strength was increasingly driven by collaboration across disciplines and partnerships with industry, government and international organisations.
“The achievements highlighted this quarter demonstrate the depth of expertise across UniSQ and the growing impact our researchers are having locally, nationally and internationally,” Professor Sang said.
“The continued success of our researchers, together with investment in new infrastructure and strategic partnerships, positions UniSQ to make an even greater contribution to solving complex challenges facing our communities, industries and the environment."
A major milestone this year was the opening of the Quantum Cryo (QC) Lab at Springfield. Established through Queensland Government investment under the Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program, the purpose-built facility provides specialised cryogenic testing and measurement capability to support quantum and advanced technologies research while creating new opportunities for industry collaboration and student engagement.
Research strength by the numbers
UniSQ has secured almost $19 million in Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) research income as at the end of May 2026, reflecting continued growth in research investment.
Researchers have also produced 976 indexed publications this year, with 80.7 per cent published in top-quartile (Q1) journals – well above the University’s long-term average of 73.5 per cent.
The University's global research reputation also remains strong. UniSQ is ranked 411 in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, maintaining an outstanding citations per faculty score of 93.9, while the 2027 US News Global Rankings place UniSQ 37th globally for top one per cent cited publications and 141st for top 10 per cent cited publications.
Research training continues to perform strongly, with 69 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students completing their degrees by early July. A further 75 candidates are currently under examination or completing revisions, placing UniSQ on track for one of its strongest years of HDR completions.
Major funding success drives research impact
UniSQ researchers have secured significant competitive funding across agriculture, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, health and international collaboration.
Among the highlights:
- Dr Zhi Chen, with Dr Derek Long and Dr Noel Knight, secured $249,608 from the Grains Research and Development Corporation to develop machine learning tools for crop disease detection using smartphones and low-cost cameras.
- Dr Sadegh Balotf joined a University of Tasmania-led Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project investigating disease-resistant potato varieties, with $347,654 awarded to UniSQ.
- Three Australia-Indonesia Institute grants, totalling $131,000, will support projects focused on climate resilience, creative collaboration and sustainable infrastructure, led by Associate Professor Syed Shams and Professor Zahra Gharineiat, Dr Katherine Putnam, and Dr Sachini Wickramasinghe with Professor Allan Manalo.
- ARC Linkage Projects secured by UniSQ researchers include advanced 3D concrete printing led by Dr Saya Ramakrishnan and Professor Allan Manalo; converting plastic waste into higher-value materials through Professor Ashok Nanjundan's collaboration with The University of Queensland; and Professor Lei Ge's work on safer, low-cost hydrogen peroxide production.
The University also achieved its strongest-ever result in Round 7 of the National Industry PhD Program, securing funding for five industry-led research projects spanning mine rehabilitation, water sustainability, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and construction safety.
Researchers recognised on the national and international stage
UniSQ researchers continue to receive recognition for excellence across a diverse range of disciplines.
Associate Professor Cheryl McCarthy was named Engineer of the Year (Academic/Research) at the Australian Space Awards for her leadership of an innovative project to fly a plant monitoring payload aboard the International Space Station.
Dr Jackie Webb received the prestigious J G Russell Award from the Australian Academy of Science to support pioneering research into the role artificial waterways may play in climate change.
Professor Stuart Biddle was ranked 10th in Australia and 148th globally in the Research.com Best Psychology Scientists rankings, recognising a career spanning more than 560 publications and almost 86,000 citations.
Professor Kerstin Braun secured a prestigious Brocher Foundation Residency in Geneva for 2027 to advance international research into organ donation after assisted death, while Professor Charlotte Brownlow led the development of new national Good Practice Guidelines supporting the inclusive supervision of neurodivergent HDR students.
Professor Yan Li has been appointed to the Australian Research Council's Artificial Intelligence – Opportunity, Best Practice and Risk Research Insight Capability Working Group, and Professor Tracy Kolbe-Alexander will commence as Co-Editor of the internationally respected Journal of Physical Activity and Health in January 2027.
Research excellence also extended to infrastructure innovation, with Professor Allan Manalo and Dr Shanika Kiriella helping develop a next-generation fibre-reinforced maritime navigation structure for Cleveland Point in partnership with Maritime Safety Queensland and industry.
Meanwhile, crop health research led by Dr Alexandros Sotiropoulos was published in PLOS Pathogens, presenting the first global pangenome of wheat powdery mildew and marking a significant advance in crop pathogen genomics.
Spotlight on agriculture, climate and environmental research
Research through UniSQ’s Institute for Agriculture, Climate and the Environment (IACE) continues to strengthen the University's contribution to regional industries and environmental resilience.
Led by Executive Director Professor Ben Lyons, the Institute brings together expertise across climate science, sustainable agriculture, crop health and agricultural engineering through four specialist research centres.
Recent highlights include:
- the Centre for Agricultural Engineering hosting international expert Dr Ajay Sharda from Kansas State University to explore future collaboration in digital agriculture and AI-enabled machinery;
- continued expansion of the Northern Australia Climate Program, helping producers make climate-smart decisions through world-leading climate modelling and decision-support tools;
- strengthening international partnerships through upcoming collaborations with Vietnamese universities in crop health research;
- showcasing UniSQ-developed CropARM and Rotation ARM decision-support tools to industry at the Crop Consultants Australia Cropping Solutions Seminar in Narrabri;
- celebrating the successful completion of the Broadacre Cropping Initiative after more than a decade of strengthening research capability and industry partnerships;
- the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration hosting its inaugural Science Symposium while preparing to showcase research at the Australian Cotton Conference; and
- researchers from the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub also continue working closely with producers across regional Australia to improve drought preparedness, climate adaptation and water management.
Looking ahead
UniSQ will continue showcasing its research excellence during Research Week, to be held from 15–23 August, celebrating the achievements of researchers and Higher Degree by Research students across the University's campuses.
The University is also exploring opportunities arising from Australia's association with the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, opening the door for greater international collaboration and participation in the world's largest research funding scheme from 2027.
With strong research performance, growing partnerships and increasing international recognition, UniSQ continues to strengthen its reputation as a university delivering research that creates knowledge, drives innovation and delivers meaningful impact for communities, industry and the world.
Explore the Spotlighting Our Research: April 2026 edition.
