A Global Research Powerhouse
The University of Melbourne is committed to being a comprehensive research-intensive university able to respond to major social, economic and environmental challenges.
Traditionally this has involved harnessing the strength, breadth and depth of its research within discipline boundaries, but increasingly the complex nature and global scale of the challenges facing society is also demanding new and more flexible ways of working in multidisciplinary teams.
To facilitate this, the University has established the Melbourne Research Institutes. A portfolio of Institutes is being established, which draws on the breadth of the University’s research activity, whilst retaining and respecting disciplines strengths. Each Institute brings together researchers from across the University to form new teams to tackle big, complex issues. The Institutes also showcase the diverse research programs taking place across the University.
There are currently five Melbourne Research Institutes, with a small number still in development.
Research Institutes Profile:
Research in action:
The University of Melbourne aspires to being a publicly spirited institution. What does this mean in terms of its research agenda? One answer lies in harnessing the University's great research strengths in pursuit of pressing societal problems.
Research in the Media:
Voice, Volume 6 Number 9 September 6 - October 10 2010
The complexity of problems facing humanity calls for a broad and multidisciplinary response. To succeed, however, each of those disciplines must maintain depth and excellence. Shane Cahill reports on the University's responses to these twin challenges.