Research Centres, Institutes and Groups

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Research Centres, Institutes and Groups

Research centres and institutes

University of Canberra research is focused on shaping our region and working towards a better future. Strategically funded research institutes and centres undertake the majority of research at the University and are currently renewed on a three- to five-year cycle. Faculty-based research groups and teams also undertake valuable research, and collaborative networks promote a common focus and cross-university networking.

Jump to research centres and institutes in a category:

Human and environmental health and wellbeing

Health Research Institute

Health Research Institute (HRI), operating within the Faculty of Health, is one of UC’s largest research institutes and focuses on building a healthier future for Canberra, Australia, and the world. The Institute is home to the Australian GeoSpatial Health Lab and Visual and Decision Analytics (VIDEA) Lab, state-of-the-art laboratories that bolster the Institute’s capabilities in health data collection, management, analysis and visualisation. HRI’s three research themes are:

  • Mental health policy;
  • Wellbeing and resilience;
  • Public health and health services; and
  • Environment and public health

HEAL Global Research Centre

The Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Global Research Centre takes a global approach to address the health risks of climate change, extreme events, air pollution, and environmental degradation through epidemiology, health impact analysis, environmental science, sustainable development, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, data science and communication. Situated within the Faculty of Health and HRI, HEAL’s research themes are:

  • Environment, climate change and health risks;
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions; and
  • Policy and practice implementation.

The Centre is also the central hub for the HEAL Network, which brings together researchers, policymakers and community organisations from across Australia to improve individual and collective health, the Australian health system, and the environment.

Centre for Ageing Research and Translation

The Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT) is a multidisciplinary research centre drawing on allied health, nursing, health and social sciences. CARAT’s work targets the practices, programs and policies that affect the health and wellbeing of older people living in their own homes, with family, in residential care, or elsewhere. Sitting within the Faculty of Health, CARAT’s research is focused across three themes:

  • Dementia and cognition;
  • Innovative care models; and
  • Workforce for aged care and health services.

Sport, exercise and human performance

Research Institute for Sport and Exercise

Our Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE) is a class-leader of interdisciplinary innovation and transformational impact in applied sport and exercise science, human performance optimisation, and sport integrity. UCRISE aims to shape the future of sport and human performance through its research, education and advocacy and its impact reaches from elite sport to high performance occupations, healthy and active populations, and vulnerable communities. Based within the Faculty of Health, UCRISE has distinctive research strengths in the following areas:

  • High performance sport;
  • Sport and exercise medicine;
  • Environmental physiology;
  • Active brain;
  • Applied biomechanics; and
  • Sport integrity.

Climate, water and environment

Centre for Applied Water Science

UC’s Centre for Applied Water Science (CAWS) is a mission-focused multidisciplinary centre dedicated to bridging the gap between ecological theory and practical application in freshwater management. A recognised national leader, CAWS brings together modern science and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and practices, and strives to empower communities, inform policy, and inspire stewardship. Operating with the Faculty of Science and Technology, CAWS’s research themes are:

  • Environmental water;
  • Water in the built environment; and
  • Education for environmental impact.

Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics

The Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics (CCEG), within the Faculty of Science and Technology, combines ecological insights with genomic advances to generate fundamental knowledge and practical solutions for emerging environmental challenges. Building upon the University’s research excellence in environmental science and genetics, CCEG focuses on applications in conservation and biosecurity, which include on-campus captive breeding programs for critically endangered species and hosting the National eDNA Reference Centre. The Centre’s research themes are:

  • Enhancing biodiversity and biosecurity using environmental DNA;
  • Integrating ecology and genomics to improve conservation management;
  • Investigating species’ responses to environmental changes; and
  • Developing innovative tools for processing and analysing genomic data.

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Research Network

The University’s Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Research Network (CCARRN) is a multidisciplinary network of UC researchers with knowledge, expertise and education in climate change adaptation and resilience that inspires collaboration and problem-solving. CCARRN’s areas of focus include:

  • Risks and impacts;
  • Adaptation;
  • Resilience; and
  • Recovery

Education and community development

STEM Education Research Centre

Our STEM Education Research Centre (SERC) is internationally recognised for its innovations in technology and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education research. Operating within the Faculty of Education, SERC’s work and spin-out company, SPLAT-maths, engages children, parents, teachers, early education centres and schools around Australia. SERC’s four research themes are:

  • STEM Pedagogy and Practice;
  • Learning Environments and Communities;
  • The Role and Nature of Spatial Thinking in STEM; and
  • Learning in Remote and Diverse Communities.

Centre for Sustainable Communities

The Centre for Sustainable Communities (CSC) at UC leads innovative educational research focused on community sustainability. CSC co-designs research with communities to foster socially and ecologically just futures, achieving social, cultural, and economic impacts that align with community needs. Recognising that social change, equity, and community wellbeing intersect with education and local knowledge, CSC’s interdisciplinary approach addresses challenges to ensure sustainable, just outcomes for communities. The Centre comprises four research programs that combine to achieve its goals:

  • Livelihoods and learning for sustainable communities;
  • Transformational pedagogies;
  • Rural education, curriculum and communities; and
  • Leadership and policy in education.

Arts, media and culture

News and Media Research Centre

The News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC), based within the Faculty of Arts and Design, advances public understanding of the changing media environment and advocates for a media system that builds trust, inclusivity, and diversity. The Centre is nationally recognised for its research areas of expertise, which include:

  • News audiences and consumption;
  • Misinformation and media literacy;
  • Indigenous media;
  • Health communication; and
  • News and media policy.

Centre for Creative and Cultural Research

The Centre for Creative and Cultural Research (CCCR) is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research centre bringing together architects, builders, designers, heritage practitioners, Indigenous and global studies scholars, novelists, play-space makers and poets to generate scholarship, art, events and products at the juncture of culture and creativity. Operating within the Faculty of Arts and Design, the three main areas of focus for the Centre are:

  • Arts and health;
  • Creative sustainable communities; and
  • Future heritage.

Governance

Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance

Our Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance (CDDGG) is a world-leading centre for scholarly and applied research in deliberative governance and democratic innovations. It is home to a critical mass of scholars conducting internationally renowned research on how deliberation can address the complex challenges our societies face today, from local to global levels. Based within the Faculty of Business, Government and Law, CDDGG’s work is spread across five research areas:

  • Deepening citizen engagement;
  • Innovating global governance;
  • Building democratic resilience;
  • Democratising environmental governance; and
  • Advancing theory and methods.

Centre for Environmental Governance

UC’s Centre for Environmental Governance (CEG) is an interdisciplinary centre focused on investigating and solving complex environmental problems such as water management, natural disasters and climate change through applied policy approaches. CEG is based within the Faculty of Business, Government and Law but brings together a range of researchers from fields including political science, public policy, public administration, environmental regulation and governance, natural resource management, democratic participation, political communication, online engagement and political participation, and big data analysis. The Centre’s two research themes are:

  • Natural resource management and water governance; and
  • Climate change, disaster recovery and resilience, and wellbeing.

Faculty-based research

Explore more of our research undertaken within UC’s five faculties.

Faculty of Arts and Design

Outside the research centres, academics within the Faculty of Arts and Design also undertake research in the disciplines of architecture, design, building and construction, communication, website design and more. 

Faculty of Business, Government and Law

Our academics also undertake research in politics, public administration, law, business, gender equality, economy, crisis management, customer vulnerability, responsible business technology and more, with a strong focus on responsible and ethical practices across different industries.

Faculty of Education

Other research undertaken at UC within the Faculty of Education spans early childhood and schools to tertiary, workplace, and community learning in teaching, learning and policy contexts.

Faculty of Health

UC also undertakes valuable research in the Faculty Health across the disciplines of midwifery, psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, pharmacy, dietetics, pharmacy, speech pathology, and optometry, with its three areas of strength being Brighter Beginning, Clinical Research Rehab and Translation, and Mental health harm Prevention (MhhP).

Faculty of Science and Technology

Our academics also undertake research in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, network engineering, cybersecurity, information systems, software engineering, data sciences, virology, molecular and biochemical therapeutics, conservation and systems ecology.

Faculty-based research

Explore more of our research undertaken within UC’s five faculties.

Faculty of Arts and Design

Outside the research centres, academics within the Faculty of Arts and Design also undertake research in the disciplines of architecture, design, building and construction, communication, website design and more. 

Faculty of Business, Government and Law

Our academics also undertake research in politics, public administration, law, business, gender equality, economy, crisis management, customer vulnerability, responsible business technology and more, with a strong focus on responsible and ethical practices across different industries.

Faculty of Education

Other research undertaken at UC within the Faculty of Education spans early childhood and schools to tertiary, workplace, and community learning in teaching, learning and policy contexts.

Faculty of Health

UC also undertakes valuable research in the Faculty Health across the disciplines of midwifery, psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, pharmacy, dietetics, pharmacy, speech pathology, and optometry, with its three areas of strength being Brighter Beginning, Clinical Research Rehab and Translation, and Mental health harm Prevention (MhhP).

Faculty of Science and Technology

Our academics also undertake research in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, network engineering, cybersecurity, information systems, software engineering, data sciences, virology, molecular and biochemical therapeutics, conservation and systems ecology.

    Related information

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    Centre For a Better Canberra

      Related information

      Research partnerships

      UC’s research capabilities

      UC experts

      Working in research

      UC’s research impact

      Centre For a Better Canberra

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