Two professors from The University of Queensland have been recognised as experts in the field of psychology with their recent appointment to the prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) College.

UQ's School of Psychology Professors Andrew Neal and Jolanda Jetten gained appointment to the ARC College in January 2013.

The professors will provide the ARC College with strategic advice for its Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences discipline group.

Head of the School of Psychology Professor Bill von Hippel says college members are experts of international standing and were are drawn from the Australian research community - from higher education, industry and public sector research organisations.

“An expert's appointment to the college signifies that they are regarded with international eminence within their field,” Professor von Hippel said.

“It is an individual achievement and a great accomplishment for the university and the school,” he said.

Professor Neal said he was honoured to be able to assist the ARC in this important role.

“The ARC plays a vital role in supporting research and innovation, and is funding truly outstanding work,” Professor Neal said.

“It is an honour to be asked to assist in this process, and I look forward to the opportunity to share what I learn with colleagues here at UQ.”

Professor Jetten says it is a privilege to be asked to serve on the College of Experts and she is looking forward to learning more about the grant allocation process.

“Hopefully, it will lead to a better understanding of how the ARC works and those insights might be beneficial to academics at UQ when preparing ARC grant applications Hopefully, it will lead to a better understanding of how the ARC works and those insights might be beneficial to academics at UQ when preparing ARC grant applications,” she said.

ARC College members assess and rank ARC grant applications submitted under the National Competitive Grants Program, make funding recommendations to the ARC and provide strategic advice to the ARC on emerging disciplines and cross-disciplinary developments.

The Australian Research Council engages the ARC College to play a key role in identifying research excellence, moderating external assessments and recommending fundable proposals.

It also assists the ARC in recruiting and assigning assessors and in implementing peer review reforms in established and emerging disciplines as well as interdisciplinary areas.

The ARC College has 83 members across all the disciplines, appointed for a period of three years.

Media: Kristen Bastian, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, +61 7 3346 9279, k.bastian@uq.edu.au