Architecture, building and planning

Solve environmental and social challenges in a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment as a graduate researcher in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, incorporating the Melbourne School of Design.

With more than 150 years of experience in built environment education and research, we are now structured in a way that allows for experimental and exciting research encounters. We’re making design and construction more sustainable, housing more affordable and cities healthier. We carry out innovative research into the past, present and future of built and natural environments.

As a graduate researcher within a thriving and diverse cohort, you’ll work with expert supervisors and access outstanding and collaborative research training opportunities to achieve your research goals.

Explore our research

We undertake applicable and impactful research locally and internationally. As built environment specialists, our expertise includes all aspects of:

  • Architecture
  • Construction management
  • Landscape architecture
  • Property
  • Urban analytics
  • Urban design
  • Urban planning

Research units

We host research groups that bring together internationally recognised experts and leaders in built environment research across a variety of areas, including:

Research centres and institutes

Learn how we're making a difference

Our research teams are actively assessing the impacts of COVID-19. Projects range from analysis and modelling to assist decision makers and understanding the effects on global cities, through to predicting the necessary changes to our working environments.

We have also researched the effect of design on children in healthcare and wellbeing settings. This project led to resources to assist architects and government agencies to provide more supportive care environments for children and their families.

We determined how to design safe streets that prevent injuries. Together with Columbia University and the Barcelona Institute of Global Health, we analysed 1700 cities worldwide, with outcomes that promote better data-based urban design for fewer road accidents.

We’ve worked alongside schools and the State Government of Victoria to evaluate learning spaces. The research findings then informed the re-design of these spaces across different school systems and hundreds of schools.

We’ve promoted greater attention for urban equality in planning and policymaking in cities around the world. To achieve this, we teamed up with the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London, one of more than 10 international partners.

The Burden: The Paradox of Space (Audrey Cavalera)

Collaborate with other disciplines

Graduate researchers also have access to many other interdisciplinary research opportunities across the University, including PhD Programs.

Partner with an overseas institution

Our international joint PhD opportunities allow you to access expertise, training and resources from two institutions, and spend a minimum of 12 months studying overseas.

Some of our joint PhD projects have included:

  • A study by Caitlin Morrissey investigating how urban infrastructure is being reshaped in Melbourne and Manchester, in partnership with the Manchester Urban Institute and our Melbourne Centre for Cities.
  • A study by Hannah McNichol on the impact of the ‘new cold War’ in shaping the urbanisation of special economic zones in Asia, in partnership with the Manchester Global Development Institute and our Melbourne Centre for Cities.

Work in a stimulating environment

When you research with us, you’ll be in the heart of a leading scientific and cultural precinct, which will inform your research within the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

You’ll be based in an inspiring building that enables multidisciplinary engagement that also supports the exploration of complex built-environment issues.

Graduate researchers have dedicated spaces to study and work. You can access contemporary facilities within our building and across campus to support your research. These include the Faculty’s FabLab, NeXT Lab, Makerspace and MicroStudio.

With stage 1 set to open in 2031, our new engineering and design campus at Fishermans Bend will bring research to life at an industrial scale. Purpose-built facilities will allow researchers and students to collaborate with industry to tackle real-world challenges.

Together, we will turn ground-breaking ideas into market-ready solutions and create a globally connected and thriving public realm in the heart of Fishermans Bend.

Next steps

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