With over 60 members of the academic staff from all five Central Queensland University faculties, the Centre seeks funding from external granting bodies to undertake research into aspects of the social development of rural and regional communities. Through its studies and its publications, it contributes to theoretical debates about the 'place' of rural society in a globalising economy, provides local communities with socioeconomic data upon which decisions can be made, undertakes impact assessment, facilitates social interaction between community stakeholders, and looks for practical means of catalysing social development in the Central Queensland region. It has fundamental research programs in drug design, new material and chemical synthesis methodology. It has a strong doctoral program in each of these areas. The CMA is concerned with the construction of organic molecules with precise 3D shape.
Most research projects are laboratory based and concentrate on the synthesis of new molecules.
Research projects provide training in the latest methods of chemical synthesis and advanced separation methods. The Topical Beef Centre, in which CQU is a core partner, is located in Rockhampton, as is the headquarters of the Queensland Beef Industry Institute. Beef cattle production forms and important part of the primary production and social fabric of the Central Queensland region. The ASPG also has broader interests in dairy cattle and other production and recreational animals. The Plant Sciences Group conducts research activities that service the needs of these industries.