Research Institutes, Centres and Groups
Research at the Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing (RISIW) is associated with a number of internationally recognized research centres and groups at The University of Newcastle that foster interdisciplinary, theoretical, methodological and applied research.
A unique feature of RISIW is the special relationship between research groups in the social sciences and related fields such as economics and cultural geography. Although each may carry out work in different fields with separate objectives, synergies around social inclusion and wellbeing are identified that complement each other. Interaction between the research groups is fostered to enable us to respond to rapidly to changing research agendas. These collaborative efforts set the Institute on the path to address fundamental issues relating to social inclusion and equity. This interdisciplinary mix means we can rapidly mobilize researchers in response to new agendas, national priorities and new intellectual initiatives. This "centre without walls" approach as knowledge brokering means we can quickly identify key intersections between knowledge seekers and providers. It also facilitates the innovative and efficient sharing of information, resources and expertise across disciplines in developing joint thematic projects. The research groups and directors are listed here:
Educational Research Institute Newcastle (ERIN)
Director: Professor James Albright
Ph: + 61 2 4921 6738
Fax: + 61 2 4921 7818
E-mail: James.Albright@newcastle.edu.au
ERIN provides a productive research environment where leading scholars conduct streams of research that have high national and international impact. ERIN strives to be an instrument of change to advance educational practice, to create inclusive and equitable learning environments and to enhance educational outcomes for diverse learners. The Institute facilitates collaborative research across disciplines and countries as well as with policy makers and practitioners. ERIN nurtures new researchers to become leading investigators in the field. While attending closely to national and international priorities, ERIN also develops innovative lines of educational inquiry. The Institute is committed to the wide dissemination of its research findings at scholarly, professional and public forums. ERIN pursues systematic and sustainable research and development, and delivers evidence-based solutions to significant educational problems.
Humanities Research Institute
Director: Professor Hugh Craig
Phone: +61 2 4921 5212
Email: Hugh.Craig@newcastle.edu.au
Our aim is to foster humanities research at The University of Newcastle through our sponsored research programmes and by fostering links and alliances within and beyond the university. Humanities research has a proud record both of innovation and of cherishing tradition, and has an important role to play in intellectual life at the university and more widely. Our particular mission is to encourage high-quality adventurous work in the humanities through the formation of teams of humanities researchers in areas of natural advantage where there are clusterings of interests, and to promote the research careers of individual University of Newcastle humanities researchers. We also seek out and promote connections between research in the humanities disciplines at Newcastle and work elsewhere, with the idea of forming productive groups in closely focused areas across institutions, and groups that bring together researchers across discipline boundaries to tackle larger and more intractable problems
The Centre of Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE)
Director: Professor Bill Mitchell
Ph: +61 2 4921 5027
Fax: +61 2 4921 8731
Mobile: +61 (0)419 422 410
Email: Bill.Mitchell@newcastle.edu.au
The Centre of Full Employment and Equity (known as CofFEE) is an official research centre at the University of Newcastle and seeks to promote research aimed at restoring full employment and achieving an economy that delivers equitable outcomes for all. The Centre has developed significant international research collaborations with academics in US and European universities. In 2001, the Centre opened a branch in Europe, located at the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands. CofFEE-Europe pursues the Centre's research agenda in the European context. CofFEE convenes two annual Conferences, one in Europe and one in Australia, and hosts regular research workshops and public policy lectures.
The Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS)
Director: Professor Pauline McGuirk
Ph: +61 2 4921 5097
Fax: + 61 2 4921 5877
Email: Pauline.Mcguirk@newcastle.edu.au
The Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS) at the University of Newcastle focuses on geographical analysis of the factors driving urban and regional transformations, their outcomes and the policy challenges they present. Through basic, applied and community-engaged research, conducted at multiple-scales, CURS' research contributes theoretically informed and empirically grounded knowledge and policy-relevant insights on the processes, dynamics and challenges of urban and regional change and development, focusing on three key research areas.
Family Action Centre
Director: Ms Judi Geggie
Ph: +61 2 4921 6859
Email: Judi.Geggie@newcastle.edu.au
The Family Action Centre is a multi-disciplinary unit that combines applied research and community service. Its major focus is to improve the life of families who have in some way been marginalised by society. The Centre is an important source of data for research students from the Faculties. The Centre is fully funded from external sources with major program support from the Bernard Van Leer Foundation and the Commonwealth Department of Community Services. The Centre's research income for 2000 of $730,000 was gained from public sector research contracts, industry consultancies and grants from international foundations. Key research activities arise from the Caravan Project, National Caravan Park Residents Research Consortium, National Dissemination Program, Home-start, Boys in School, Engaging Fathers and Family Strengths programs.
Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Research Centre
Director: Professor John Maynard
Ph: +61 2 4921 6386
Fax: +61 2 4921 6985
Email: John.Maynard@newcastle.edu.au
Umilliko takes on the challenges of increasing Indigenous control of research practice and outcome through the development of high quality Indigenous student research education and practice. In doing this Umilliko facilitates a research approach that centres Indigenous World View and the process of decolonisation. While the Centres’ key focus is in the areas of Health; Law and Social Issues; Environment and Culture, it also employs a multi-discipline post-graduate program.
Group for Religion and Intellectual Traditions (GRIT)
Director: A/Professor Hilary Carey
Ph: +61 2 4921 5209
Fax: +61 2 4921 6940
Email: Hilary.Carey@newcastle.edu.au
The collaborative work of this group focuses on the cultural and historical study of religion and other intellectual traditions drawing on interdisciplinary and disciplinary approaches from anthropology, classics, history, philosophy, religious studies, sociology and theology. The group provides an informal forum for the exchange of ideas relating to the influence of religion, ethics, reason and philosophy in historical and contemporary contexts in Europe, Australia and the Asia-Pacific regions.
The Centre for Social Research in Energy and Resources (CSRER)
(interim) Director Professor John Germov
Ph: 61 2 492 15323
Fax: 61 2 492 17905
Email: John.Germov@newcastle.edu.au
CSRER is the first centre in Australia dedicated solely to researching the social dimensions of energy and resources. Located within the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), we are committed to undertaking world-best innovative projects.
CSRER researchers provide innovative social perspectives in a variety of environmental, energy and resource areas including carbon emissions, water and industrial ecology. Our expertise covers challenges including community engagement, social protest and policy, and regulatory dynamics.
They aim to cement Australia’s leading contribution to energy and resources research by conducting reliable, relevant and timely social scientific research. Our research aids the development, management and sustainable use of energy and resources globally and helps ensure that organisational decision-making and policy debate on energy resources is informed by the best evidence and ideas.