Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes

Transforming the social and economic wellbeing and health of people with disability. Shifting from a fossil fuel-based economy to a clean-energy economy. Building resilience in our food systems to fire, drought and flood. Centring Indigenous knowledges, perspectives and experiences. Addressing social disadvantage in health, education, housing and work

The Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes do all of this and more.

Working with industry, government and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and internationally, they challenge current thinking and offer new solutions to change our world.

Institute researchers come with different perspectives. They identify complex and emerging issues and forge unexpected connections. They acknowledge an imperfect world to build evidence and drive discovery. Then they translate research into results that matter.

This is how we solve the big challenges.

Want to do a PhD in Indigenous knowledge topics?

Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars are encouraged to submit an expression of interest to the Indigenous Knowledge Institute for a PhD on a topic related to Indigenous knowledges.

We encourage proposals from all disciplines as well as interdisciplinary research. Funding is available.

More information and apply

An agenda for research, education and engagement

Interdisciplinary work is data-informed and experience-based. The institutes collaborate with industry and communities that have the real-world expertise to drive research.

We take pride in the fact that researchers do not just talk about things. Their projects provide answers, inform policy, build machines, engage with the public and change society out in the real world.

The institutes inspire the next generation of research leaders. Graduate and Early Career Researchers challenge and extend their ideas, and gain expertise in collaborative approaches. They also get support through project funding, research help, scholarships and mentorships.

Listen: One in Five podcast

In Australia, one in five people lives with disability.

One in Five gives voice to people with disability and asks about their experiences with employment, housing, the law, supporting families and early intervention.

A range of experts including people with disability, researchers and people working in the sector talk about what we can do to improve the lives of people with disability.

One in Five is produced by the Melbourne Disability Institute.

Browse episodes