Research institutes and centres at UniSA
UniSA is recognised for its research links with industry and the
application of knowledge to solve contemporary problems.
The academic and research structure of the University comprises divisions, research institutes, and centres and groups. Research and research education take place within a cohesive structure under well-defined policies and procedures guided by an international best-practice framework. UniSA's latest Research Concentrations Strategy implements five categories of research concentrations and enhances the teaching-research nexus through frameworks of cooperation.
At the national level, we host an Australian Research Council (ARC) recognised Special Research Centre, and participate in a number of Cooperative Research Centres.
Supported research institutes
The University funds research activities that both encourage individual researchers and support research in identified areas of strength to address national needs.
- Ian Wark Research Institute
Conducts research across four sectors: Bio and Polymer Interfaces, Colloids and Nanostructures, Materials and Environmental Surface Science, and Mineral Processing
Contact: Prof John Ralston - Institute for Telecommunications Research
Specialises in research and technology development for wireless communications, including both fixed and mobile, satellite and terrestrial based applications
Contact: Prof Alex Grant - Hawke Research Institute for Sustainable Societies
Conducts world class cross-disciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences that supports an ecologically diverse and sustainable world of tolerant and inclusive democratic societies
Contact: Prof Victoria Carrington - Sansom Institute
Brings together internationally recognised research concentrations in quality use of medicines and pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical science and molecular medicine
Contact: Prof Kerin O'Dea - Ehrenberg-Bass Institute
for Marketing Science
Combines the resources of a large academic research institute with a national in-house computer assisted telephone (CATI) survey facility
Contact: Prof Byron Sharp - Institute for
Sustainable Systems and Technologies
Serves industry needs in research, development, consulting, testing, monitoring and delivering short courses in the built environment and sustainable development area
Contact: Prof Mike Taylor
Supported research centres
The research centres listed below are University supported. Other centres may be funded at the local level (division or school). You can visit local level websites to find out more. Although organised under specific divisions, our research centres participate in cross- and multi-disciplinary research.
Business
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Centre for
Regulation and Market Analysis
Specialises in policy-relevant research, focusing on the behaviour of markets and their participants, including consumers, firms, governments and regulators
Contact: Prof David Round
Education, Arts and Social Sciences
-
Centre for Applied Psychological Research
Conducts high quality psychological research designed to elucidate and promote wellbeing, quality of life and effective functioning in individuals and organisations in the community
Contact: Assoc Prof Maureen Dollard -
Centre for
Sleep Research
Works to extend our understanding and perception of human sleep, biological rhythms, sleep disorders, workplace fatigue, shiftwork, fatigue modelling and risk management
Contact: Prof Drew Dawson -
Centre for Work and Life
Investigates work and its intersection with household, family, community and social life in Australia, generating innovative thinking about work and life in Australia
Contact: Prof Barbara Pocock -
Research Centre for
Languages and Cultures
Engages in research and dialogue focused on languages and cultures, particularly the interaction of these with education, internationalisation, politics and identity, and professional and social life
Contact: Assoc Prof Angela Scarino
Health Sciences
-
Centre for Rural Health and Community Development
Conducts research and consultancies on the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, especially those in rural, remote, and regional areas
Contact: Prof Guy Robinson -
Nutritional Physiology Research Centre
Investigates the physiological mechanisms whereby functional foods and targeted nutrient intakes can be used in conjunction with physical activity to deliver health benefits
Contact: Prof Peter Howe
Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
-
Advanced
Computing Research Centre
Acts as a University-wide focus for research in the areas of computer science, software engineering and computer engineering
Contact: Prof Markus Stumptner -
Applied Centre for
Structural and Synchrotron Studies (ACeSSS)
Accesses and develops new, innovative methods and techniques in the science and technology of assessment, design and processing of environmental systems and materials
Contact: Prof Andrea Gerson -
Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment
and Remediation
Researches human and ecological risk assessment and remediation, and provides innovative solutions and technologies for environmental contamination problems
Contact: Assoc Prof Megh Mallavarapu -
Defence and Systems Institute
Operates as world leader in research and education in complex systems, with a a special focus on supporting the defence industry's capabilities in South Australia
Contact: Prof Stephen Cook -
Mawson
Institute
Works closely with industry to develop innovative technologies that will support manufacturing, and the automotive and defence industries
Contact: Prof Rob Short -
SA Water Centre for Water
Management and Reuse
Builds on established strengths in urban water resources management to establish core capabilities in water and waste water treatment, water reuse, water cycle management, and more
Contact: Prof Simon Beecham -
The Barbara Hardy
Centre for Sustainable Urban Environments
Focuses on the sustainability of cities, the conservation of biodiversity, and the maintenance of the natural processes that sustain life, underpinned by values of community education and participation
Contact: Prof Chris Daniels
Research groups
The research groups listed below are University recognised. Although organised under specific divisions, our research groups participate in cross- and multi-disciplinary research. For example, the Centre for Comparative Water Policies and Law listed under Business spans other categories such as Education, Arts and Social Sciences, and Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment.
Business
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Centre for Accounting, Governance and Sustainability
Promotes, conducts and encourages research in accounting at UniSA with emphasis on contemporary issues
Contact: Prof Roger Burritt -
Centre for Comparative Water Policies and Law
Engages with, and is a focal point for, research into the legal, economic, social and cultural evaluation of Australian and international water policies and law
Contact: Prof Jennifer McKay -
Centre for Human Resource Management
Addresses major human resource management (HRM) related challenges in the South Australian, national and international contexts
Contact: Assoc Prof Prashant Bordia -
Centre for Tourism and Leisure Management
Reflects the themes operational performance; service quality and satisfaction; lifestyle, health and leisure; and the tourist and leisure experience
Contact: Dr Gary Crilley
Education, Arts and Social Sciences
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Centre for
Creative Cultures and Communication Research
Does research and consultancy in media, culture, public communication, professional writing, multimedia, information management, journalism, public relations, English studies, education, work, and communication in organisational, professional and community contexts
Contact: Dr Jackie Cook -
Cognitive Technologies in Education Research Group
Contact: Dr Alan Barnes -
Cultures of the Body Research Group
Contact: Dr Vicki Crowley and Dr Susan Luckman -
de
Lissa Research Centre
Focuses on children's development and wellbeing in the contexts of family, care, education and society, and is closely aligned to early childhood teaching and community programs
Contact: Dr Elspeth McInnes -
Unaipon Indigenous Social Research Group
Focusing on Indigenous research, important partnerships have been developed nationally and internationally to engage staff and students in a variety of public and private sector projects
Contact: Dr Peter Gale
Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
-
Computer Systems Engineering Centre
Develops the theoretical foundations required for the design of distributed systems, and applies these foundations and their associated computer tools to practical industrial problems
Contact: Prof Jonathan Billington -
Knowledge-Based Intelligent Engineering Systems Centre
Researches intelligent information systems - modeling, analysing, and designing in physiological sciences and systems, defence-related systems, e-commerce and service engineering
Contact: Prof Lakhmi Jain
Divisional research information
- Business
- Education, Arts and Social Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment