Welcome to research at the University of South Australia
UniSA staff and students
Research and Innovation Services
- What's new and quick links
- Grants
- Ethics and compliance
- Project and business administration
- Legal services
- Policies and plans
- Data and performance
- Committees
- Training, workshops and resources
- Forms and guidelines
- Contacts
Research degrees - for supervisors and current students
Other resources
The information on this page is tailored to suit your needs and guide you to relevant sections of the University of South Australia (UniSA) website.
Find out about UniSA's research priorities and strengths, including information about research in our divisions, institutes, and centres and groups
You can also find out about research at UniSA as a:
Please contact us if you require further information.
Research priorities
UniSA aims to build strong multidisciplinary research concentrations with the scale and focus to deliver high quality research outcomes of demonstrable social, environmental or economic impact, and implement initiatives to promote a dynamic research and commercialisation environment.
Our focus
- Research leadership and research training capacity
- Disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research
- High impact, high quality research
- A dynamic research culture
- Knowledge transfer through engagement
- A high quality research training program
Research strengths
UniSA is recognised for its research links with industry and the application of knowledge to solve contemporary problems. At the national level, we host the Australian Research Council (ARC) recognised Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces and participate in a number of Cooperative Research Centres (a Commonwealth Government initiative).
The academic and research structure of the University comprises divisions, and research institutes and centres. Research and research education take place within a cohesive structure under well-defined policies and procedures guided by an international best practice framework.
Divisional research
- Business
- Education, Arts and Social Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
Research institutes
The University's policy of selectivity and concentration 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 - Institute for Telecommunications Research
Specialises in research and technology development for wireless communications, including both fixed and mobile, satellite and terrestrial based applications - 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 - Sansom Institute
Brings together internationally recognised research concentrations in quality use of medicines and pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical science and molecular medicine - 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 - 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 -
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 - Mawson Institute
for Advanced Manufacturing
Works closely with industry to develop innovative technologies that will support manufacturing, and the automotive and defence industries
Centres and groups
See also our research centres and groups
Member of the public
Find out about UniSA's latest research through seminars and lectures open
to the public.
- Business: Working Links seminar series - discover the latest insights and information that the Division of Business uncovers in its ongoing quest for knowledge through this public lecture series
- Health Sciences: Body of Knowledge - keep up-to-date with recent discoveries about causes, treatments, development and delivery of health care; listen to past lectures via livestream video
- Education, Arts and Social Sciences/Business: Hawke Centre public events - diarise the year's calendar and visit the archive of past events (includes written or audio transcripts); join the free mailing list; order publications
- Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment:
- Public Lecture Series - keep up-to-date with topical research areas - present, past and future
- Science at the Lakes - primary, middle and early secondary school students can attend this free science and technology event
Or you can visit the websites listed under Research strengths to find out about research themes, activities, latest news and other information relating to research areas within UniSA.
Business or industry leader
Successful commercialisation and innovation strategies are central to the future priorities of UniSA. The Corporate Plan aims to position the University to achieve a major increase in income from commercialisation through licensing and the successful incubation of spin-off companies originating from University research.
ITEK Pty Ltd is the wholly owned commercialisation company of the University of South Australia. ITEK's role is to support the commercialisation of University research through the formation of spin-off companies, licensing and the sale of intellectual property (IP). Commercially valuable IP may result in financial reward for research concentrations, as well as the creator(s) of IP.
ITEK also assists external early stage ventures through the provision of business incubation services.
Researcher
UniSA's research culture recognises the importance of quality assurance processes as well as general research quality and impact developments, nationally and internationally.
Research areas lists UniSA institutes and centres under research priorities, and the Directory of Research Expertise provides links to key researchers at UniSA.
View our Research quality, innovation and engagement website or find out about our e-Research initiatives
If you are a UniSA researcher, go to the Research and Innovation Services Office for more information.