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Murdoch's Research Profile

Overview of Research At Murdoch University

Murdoch University was founded as a research-based university in 1973. The original Act of Parliament required Murdoch University to "encourage and undertake research and to meet the needs of the community". In 2008 Murdoch University retained its position as one of the leading research universities in Australia, ranking in the top 10 on a per capita basis.

Murdoch University attracted research income for 2007 of over $36 million from government and industry funding sources.

Research Institutes

Murdoch University has seven Research Institutes dedicated to making significant advances in knowledge and contributions to the broader community. With internationally recognised Centres and Institutes, Murdoch continues to be one of the leading research universities in Australia.

Institute for Resource Technology (Faculty of Minerals & Energy)

Director - Professor David Doepel
D.Doepel@murdoch.edu.au

The Research Institute for Resource Technology fosters and promotes excellence in research that liberates the full value of Australian resources ­ more efficiently, more sustainably, and with a lower environmental impact.  Murdoch University understands resources holistically and so the Institute's areas of focus include minerals, hydrocarbons, biomass (including waste), wind, wave and solar energy and, of course, our most precious resource ­ water.

Institute for Crop and Plant Sciences (Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental & Life Sciences)

Director - Professor John Howieson
J.Howieson@murdoch.edu.au
9360 2231

Food security is an extremely important global issue. The Institute for Crop and Plant Sciences is working to improve crop varieties, operating on a global level in areas such as plant biology, pathology and biosecurity, as well as bioinformatics and fungal diseases, with a focus on delivering real world improvements.

Institute for Sustainable Ecosystems (Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental & Life Sciences)

Director - Professor Bernard Dell
B.Dell@murdoch.edu.au
9360 2875

Now more than ever the world needs sound sustainable ecosystem solutions. The Institute for Sustainable Ecosystems will embody the areas of ecosystem management, plant ecology, land management, fish research, wildlife, climatology and freshwater ecology. The Institute's challenge is to find results that could have a far-reaching influence on tomorrow's world.

Websites that are connected to the Institute for Sustainable Ecosystems -
http://www.cpsm.murdoch.edu.au/
http://www.treehealth.murdoch.edu.au

Institute for Sustainable Societies, Education and Politics (Social Research Institute) (Faculty of Arts & Education)

Director - Professor Craig McGarty
C.McGarty@murdoch.edu.au
9360 7616

The Institute for Sustainable Societies, Education and Politics provides support for research conducted by the Asia Research Centre, the Centre for Social and Community Research, the Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy, the Centre for Learning Change and Development and more generally for research in social science, humanities, education, psychology, sustainability and health at Murdoch University. Our researchers in these fields make significant ongoing contributions to human knowledge especially through research supported by prestigious international and national competitive grants to study Asian society, language and politics; social and developmental psychology; education; sustainable tourism; theology and; community health.

Institute for Media, Creative Arts and Information Technologies (Faculty of Creative Technologies & Media)

Director - Professor Richard Nile
R.Nile@murdoch.edu.au
9360 2170

The Institute for Media, Creative Arts and Information Technologies is an exciting institute, opening the door to experieced researchers in this field. The Institute will incorporate multiple research groups who will explore a diverse range of areas including film, broadcasting internet, advertising and marketing, interactive and mobile content, as well as the computer games technology and e-learning areas.

Animal Research Institute (Faculty of Health Science)

Director - Professor John Pluske
J.Pluske@murdoch.edu.au
9360 2012

The animal research capabilities at Murdoch University are well recognised at state, national and international levels. The Animal Research Institute at Murdoch University aims to strategically unite, foster and grow animal-based research, postgraduate education and delivery to its stakeholders for the University. The Institute represents a key collection of researchers in four core activities, namely production animal research, companion animal research, animal biosecurity and health, and wildlife biology and systems. The central purpose and role of the Institute is to excel in conducting and delivering high-quality research, management and educational outcomes to Murdoch University and to research groups, research funding bodies and other identitites, including the wider community, who are concerned with animals systems.

Integrated Health Institute (Faculty of Health Science)

Director - Professor Peter Drummond (acting)
P.Drummond@murdoch.edu.au
9360 2257

Through the integration of fundamental and applied health research, the Institute’s goal is the discovery of knowledge of significant benefit to Australia's present and future healthcare needs. The strategic focus on issues of core importance to health is interdisciplinary in nature, and brings together the recognised strengths of Murdoch University researchers in Biomedicine, Psychology, Nursing, Pharmacy and Chiropractic, creating a world-class health research organisation.