Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes
Working with global industry, government and not-for profits, the institutes challenge current thinking and offer new solutions to change our world.
Research at Melbourne
Understanding who we are. Creating a different future.
Knowledge, discovery and impact
From Indigenous knowledge to artificial intelligence, from climate change to cultural preservation. Research at the University of Melbourne is adding to human knowledge and understanding so that society can thrive. It is also translating discovery into meaningful, practical impact to benefit all of us.
We value research as a fundamental form of learning. Empowered by a sense of place, and the people we work with. Success requires collaboration, not just between scholars, but with community, industry and government.
Explore the precincts, people, platforms and multidisciplinary research bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise – and pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge.
Spotlight: Addressing the global challenge to conserve irrigation water
Rubicon Water’s automated irrigation system is saving billions of litres of water each year, helping farms worldwide survive drought and increase crop yields.
Total Channel Control® was developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne.
Multidisciplinary research
To solve humanity’s biggest challenges, research must embrace the unexpected through multidisciplinary collaboration.
It is here that researchers, industry, community and government can translate knowledge and discovery into advances in sustainability, global resilience, health, and economic and social empowerment.
Explore Hallmark and Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives, and research networks.
Just some of the places where vital research is happening every day.
Hallmark Research Initiatives
The Initiatives address significant local and global challenge that cannot be solved by one discipline alone.
Indigenous Knowledge Institute
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute aims to advance research and education in Indigenous knowledge systems.
Creativity and Wellbeing
The Creativity and Wellbeing Hallmark Research Initiative is uncovering ways that creativity can help people live happier and healthier lives.
Discovery & Impact
Reaching stroke patients in time to give life-saving treatment
Stroke patients in the Mobile Stroke Unit are ten times more likely to be treated in the ‘golden hour’ than patients who go to hospital by ambulance.
Preparing for and managing pandemics using mathematical modelling
A mathematical model is helping countries prepare for and manage infectious disease pandemics.
The funeral industry in the digital age
Funeral directors decide which digital services are appropriate for grief and mourning, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to enter the industry.
Hallmark Research Initiatives
Today’s biggest challenges can’t be solved by one research discipline alone. This is why our Hallmark Research Initiatives exist. They bring together researchers from across the University to work on some of the most pressing local and global problems, including:
- affordable housing for Australian communities
- environmental sustainability in the building industry
- sustainable food creation for a growing population
Importantly, the initiatives connect researchers with industry, government and not-for profit organisations in Australia and internationally. In turn, they challenge current thinking and offer new solutions to change our world.
Explore our Hallmark Research Initiatives to learn more and to connect with an individual initiative.
Creativity and Wellbeing
The Creativity and Wellbeing Hallmark Research Initiative is uncovering ways that creativity can help people live happier and healthier lives.
Affordable Housing
The Affordable Housing initiative is working across disciplines to create new insights into the supply of affordable housing.
BioInspiration
The Bioinspiration HRI works with institutes and industry partners to find bioinspired solutions to technological and design challenges.
Future Food
The Future Food initiative nurtures interdisciplinary research in the area of sustainable and healthy protein production.
Find an expert
Do you need an expert to help solve a challenge for your business or organisation, collaborate on research or give insight to a current issue? Use the University's Find an Expert tool to search for the best researcher for the job.
