Research initiatives

We aim to challenge current thinking and translate our knowledge through unexpected connections.

Our University is a place where students and academics come to do the highest quality research to address some of the world’s most difficult questions and pressing challenges. Through collaboration, our researchers work together at the intersection of expertise and imagination to drive problem-solving. It’s here that researchers, industry, community and government translate discovery into advances in sustainability, global resilience and health, alongside economic and social empowerment.

Explore our Hallmark Research Initiatives, Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, International Research Training Groups and research precincts – just a few of the places where our vital research is happening.

Group of students

International Research Training Groups

IRTGs bring together our academics with their international peers to support cohorts of joint PhD candidates. They are unique, formalised programs that provide supportive and collegiate environments for candidates to excel in their research training.

These programs facilitate collaboration, generate joint projects and increase the quality, output and impact of our research. Together, with our international partners, we discover new knowledge that benefits society at a global level.

Discover International Research Training Groups

Hallmark Research Initiatives

From challenging racism to exploring the connection between creativity and wellbeing, Hallmark research is future-focused  bringing together inspirational thinking across a spectrum of themes to re-imagine life and society.

Explore Hallmark Research Initiatives

Young agricultural researcher in the field
Researchers in the office collaborating

Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes

To address the challenges of our times, our people rally around meaningful issues. We work with industry, governments and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and internationally to bring expertise and creativity together to investigate, invent, and solve.

More than the sum of their parts, Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (MIRIs) challenge current thinking and offer new solutions with potential to change our world.

Discover Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes

Melbourne research precincts

We support cross-disciplinarity, innovation and collaboration through the development of a network of precincts which bring researchers and students together with research partners for place-based action. Some of these precincts exist in the here and now, others are still taking shape – and more are yet to be imagined.

Explore research precincts

Architect's drawing of Fishermans Bend
Aerial shot of estuary system

Melbourne Climate Futures and Environmental Research Hub

Global warming and climate change is a crisis that needs our full attention. It’s an urgent challenge that affects all of us and is dependent on expert knowledge and leadership. Melbourne Climate Futures brings together science, medicine, wellbeing, law and creativity to conceive a better climate future for our planet. Read stories about our climate action on Environmental Research Hub.

Visit Environmental Research Hub