The Centre for Visual Sciences (CVS) was created as a new Strategic Development of the Australian National University (ANU) in 1988. That initiative recognized the long history of vision research at the ANU. The ANU is frequently ranked in the top 50 research universities in the world. Aside from outstanding teaching faculties the ANU contains a number of large research institutes referred to as Research Schools. During its tenure, the CVS has developed and promoted a strong network of interactions between its distinct nodes. The functions of CVS and its membership are described in the CVS charter. The current nodes are located in:

• The Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS) - CSD
• The Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS) - Visual Sciences
• The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) - Division of Neuroscience
• The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS)
• The School of Psychology – Cognition and Perception
• The ANU Medical School

The CVS contributes substantially to the everyday research activities of the visual science community at the ANU, by providing:

• Funds for collaborative research projects and CVS visiting fellowships,
• A regular research seminar series,
• Support for small, but highly regarded and stimulating, international conferences and workshops,
• A network infrastructure to organize cross-campus teaching and research activities.

Since inception, the CVS has embraced research on all types of visual systems and at several levels, in an attempt to span the gap 'from physiology to perception'. To this end, current research work ranges from the physiological properties of single neurones and small assemblies, to visually guided behaviour in anthropods, human psychophysics, robotics and medical devices.

Accomplishments

Funds for a new 2400 m2 wing of RSBS were obtained house CVS and one of its constituent parts, the then Department of Behavioral Biology under Prof. Richard Mark. The building was opened 20 September 1989.

ACEVS

In 2006 several members of CVS (James, Lamb, Maddess, Provis, Srinivasan, Stone, Valter, Zeil, Zhang) together with CIs from 3 other institutions (Dreher, Usyd, Vaney UQ, Yu & Cringle LEI) obtained an $11 million grant to form the ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Sciences (ACEVS). CVS contributes materially to ACEVS and was the crucible in which it formed.

Numerous National and International Meetings

Conferences

View conferences hosted by CVS here.

Medical Technologies

The FDT and Matrix perimeters are based on patented ANU “Frequency Doubling” technology licensed to Welch Allyn. Perimeters are primarily used to diagnose glaucoma, a disease producing partial to complete blindness in 2% of Australians over the age of 40 years. Recent independent clinical studies indicate FDT can diagnose glaucoma up to 4 years earlier that competitor perimeters.

An Annual Summer School on Animal Navigation

Neuroscience Graduate and Honours Program

CVS staff have been convenors of the graduate program and many CVS staff teach in the various neuroscience courses on campus including some of the new majors courses

Researchers teaching

CVS Directors past and present

• Adrian Horridge
• Geoff Henry
• Steve Redman
• MV Srinivasan
• Ted Maddess