Research institutes and centres

Our research institutes and centres work to solve the critical challenges we face in the world today. Through interdisciplinary and collaborative research they seek to develop innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good and deliver ethically informed research that enables flourishing lives and fosters thriving communities.

Research and enterprise

Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy

We believe that every student can learn to read and write if the instruction they receive is based on the best scientific evidence available. Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy is committed to understanding how people learn to read and write, and to translating that knowledge into effective teaching practices.

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Centre for Regional Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Based at ACU’s picturesque historic Ballarat Aquinas Campus, the Centre for Regional Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (RHASS) aims to advance humanities-based research and enquiry, capacity, connectivity and engagement by invigorating a vibrant community of practice.

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Gender and Women's History Research Centre

The Gender and Women’s History Research Centre delivers new research energy and critical visibility to the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, accessibility, wellbeing and sustainability, by signalling the importance of gender research exploring the experiences of a diverse array of individuals in times past.

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Institute of Child Protection Studies

Improving the lives of children, young people and their families is at the heart of what we do. We do this through quality research, evaluation, training, consultation and translating knowledge for policy makers and practitioners. Nationally recognised for our expertise in child protection, we aim to make a real impact on critical social issues, child-centred practice, service systems and public policy.

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Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences

The Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (IHSS) continues our growth in the liberal arts. Spanning history, politics, sociology and literature, the institute’s areas of research include gender and women’s history; refugees, migration and humanitarian studies; social and political change; British empire and Atlantic world history; Australian colonialism and Indigenous history; political economy; and literary studies.

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Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education

The Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE) undertakes studies in partnership to improve educational outcomes and life chances for all children and young people. Our areas of expertise include data analytics; assessment and learning; critical and creative thinking in STEM; English and literacy education, multimodalities, literacy and gender; teacher education and professional practice; and early childhood futures and digital play.

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Institute for Positive Psychology and Education

The Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE) undertakes research in education, Indigenous education, human motivation and behaviour. We conduct multidisciplinary research to address critical educational and psychosocial issues and translate theory to inform effective policy and practice. Our work demonstrates how individuals, communities and organisations cannot just succeed but flourish and thrive.

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Research Centre for Digital Data and Assessment in Education

The Research Centre for Digital Data and Assessment in Education explores how technologies are transforming education inside and outside schooling. Our research examines digital disruption, assessment and data analytics as subjects of research, policy and practice in schooling reform and teacher education. Drawing on international, national, and state-based partnerships, the centre addresses a global knowledge gap in how new and emerging technologies are transforming the practices and experience of education inside and outside schooling.

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Research Centre for Refugees Migration and Humanitarian Studies

The Research Centre for Refugees Migration and Humanitarian Studies explores the historical and contemporary displacement of refugees across the world as well as government policy on refugees and humanitarian agencies.

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Centre for Regional Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Based at ACU’s picturesque historic Ballarat Aquinas Campus, the Centre for Regional Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (RHASS) aims to advance humanities-based research and enquiry, capacity, connectivity and engagement by invigorating a vibrant community of practice.

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Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre

The Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre (HBMRC) aims to advance knowledge critical to improving mental health, participation and well-being. HBMRC brings together three programs of research excellence in mental health, addiction neuroscience, and disability and development.

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Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research

The Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research (MMIHR) addresses critical public health issues by identifying and responding with innovative programs that work towards better health outcomes in Australia and around the world. The institute comprises three key research programs: exercise and nutrition; behaviour, environment and cognition; and bone health and fractures.

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Nursing Research Institute

The Nursing Research Institute in partnership with St Vincent's Health Network Sydney and St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, leads multidisciplinary research to improve patient outcomes. The NRI is one of Australia’s largest and most productive nursing research collaboratives with a national and international reputation for conducting rigorous research.

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Nursing Research and Practice Development Centre

Nursing Research and Practice Development Centre (NRPDC) fosters change through research and encourages the implementation of evidence-based practice regarding patient care. The NRPDC houses a nurse-led research team whose aim is to inspire, support and undertake quality research within The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) in Brisbane, Australia, with a focus on pressure injury research.

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Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies Research Centre

The Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre focuses on the interactions between human performance, fatigue, sleep and recovery interventions, and the prevention, risk identification and rehabilitation of injury with a strong emphasis on findings that directly translate into practice.

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Canon Law Centre

The Canon Law Centre (CLC) seeks to promote and develop Canon Law, in its theoretical and practical aspects, in Australia and overseas.

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ACU Centre for Liturgy

The ACU Centre for Liturgy provides specialist expertise, teaching, research and formation in liturgical studies, sacramental theology and the sacred arts. We offer formative education for parish ministers through to higher degree research students.

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Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry

The Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry (IRCI) is a leading centre for the study of religion and theology in its historical and contemporary contexts. Our research comprises three collaborative and interdisciplinary programs: biblical and early Christian studies; medieval and early modern studies; and religion and theology.

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Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council

The Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council advances understanding of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), considered the most significant event in the history of the Catholic Church in the 20th century. The Centre aims to investigate lines of inquiry that draw their inspiration from the Second Vatican Council, among them, biblical theology, comparative theology and ecological theology.

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Plunkett Centre for Ethics

The Plunkett Centre for Ethics expresses its commitment to intellectual and professional excellence through research, teaching, consultation, and community engagement, and by bringing a Catholic perspective to all its endeavours. Its goals are to deepen and advance knowledge and understanding of the ethical standards which, relevant to the pursuit of human health and well-being, are found in clinical practice, medical research, business and management practice, and the allocation of healthcare resources.

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Queensland Bioethics Centre

The Queensland Bioethics Centre focuses on high-quality research, education, and consultancy in the area of bioethics, with engagement and impact locally, nationally and internationally.

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National Centre for Veterans and Families

The ACU National Centre for Veterans and Families (NCVF) uses an interdisciplinary approach to work with veterans, service providers, industry partners, and the government to improve the lives of veterans and their families.

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