Introduction - Research Report 2008

It has long been fashionable to divide research into categories, such as “pure” and “applied” – the implication being that they are clearly different. Such divisions are increasingly meaningless, not just at UQ, but in the broad research community.

Consider the following two examples:

• Niels Bohr’s fundamental work on the physics of the atom was driven by a desire to understand better our world, yet has delivered the most awesome applications (both positive and negative).
• The fundamental pioneering research by Louis Pasteur into what is now termed microbiology was driven by his desire to stop the spoilage of food.

The initial motivation of each was different but both involved fundamental and applied components (not necessarily by the same researchers). What is common is that both researchers and their research were of outstanding quality.

Looking at research over different time frames is important. Some fundamental work has intrinsic worth which may not be fully realised for many years. Other research is valuable precisely because it addresses a legitimate demand for a product, service or policy reform. As with Bohr and Pasteur, a translational focus is not a substitute for quality fundamental work, but is an adjunct. In many cases it will involve collaboration with groups that differ from those with which collaboration occurs in fundamental studies.

An emerging practice applies the term “translational research” to research which follows scientific discovery, allows products and services to be trialled and eventually benefits human health and the economy. At UQ this is illustrated by many activities within the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Centre for Clinical Research, and our four bio institutes. The cervical cancer vaccine developed by Professor Ian Frazer and Dr Jian Zhou, administered to more than 30 million women and girls by mid-2008, provides an irresistible example.

However in my view the term could just as well be applied within all UQ faculties and institutes. That’s because rigour and high-quality outcomes are conducive to translation, and there is an enormous range of ways to make research useful to people whose interests lie outside a researcher’s particular area, whatever the researcher’s initial motivation.

To be translational, research need not necessarily have commercialisation potential. It might influence government policy, industry decision-making, or community attitudes and behaviour. The very act of publishing is often the first step towards translation. Progress might be made when a researcher talks to a politician, joins a corporate board, speaks to a service club, blogs or engages in online social networking – to list a few examples.

Measures of UQ’s translational attributes include Australian Research Council Linkage Grants, a high concentration of cooperative research centres, success in Queensland “Smart State” programs, partnerships with business, industry and community groups, and the achievements of UniQuest, IMBcom and JKTech.

Accomplishments of lesser profile may be every bit as important. Researchers won’t always receive deserved credit for contributing to shifts in government policy, reforms in industry practice or evolutions in community mood. On the other hand, examples are legion of tenacious researchers affecting positive change, by building on the foundations of pioneers who may never have foreseen such applications for their fundamental work.

Professor Paul Greenfield, AO
Vice-Chancellor

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