The Sustainability Research Cluster was established in 2007 (originally the Sustainability Research Centre) with the goal of conducting cutting-edge research into pressing local, regional, and global challenges of economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Our collaborative, transdisciplinary approach focuses on understanding the relationships between people, place, and change. We aim to provide evidence-based solutions to policy, planning, and decision-making for a socially just and thriving world.

Our work

Our work focusses on climate action, sustainable communities and social-environmental justice. Exploring solutions to address global challenges in these areas and drawing on a diverse range of expertise across transdisciplinary research.

Learn more about key projects under these themes:

• Climate Action
• Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Social-environmental justice 

Our impact

Learn more about the SRC's impact, through a selection of recently completed Key projects:

Coastal governance: Embracing vulnerability and change

Australia 2019—2023

An Australian Research Council Future Fellowship project, the goal of this project was to improve the lives of more than 20 million Australians living in coastal areas through better governance solutions.

Funding body: Australian Research Council Future Fellowship
Researchers: Tim Smith, Carmen Elrick-Barr and Dana Thomsen 
Contact: Dr Carmen Elrick-Barr

Sustainable Transformation in Coal Region of the Global South: Challenges from a Resource Nexus Perspective (NEXtra Core)

2022—2023

This study analysed the perspectives for the Just Energy Transition in coal regions in Indonesia, Colombia, South Africa and Mozambique.

Contact: Dr Shannon Brincat

Heat Adaptation Planning at a Local Level

2020-2022

This research funded by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science, SAP+ Co-investment Program, examined how to mitigate heat risk to seniors at a local level in tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Outputs include a model Heat Adaptation Plan, which can be applied to hospitals, child-care centres, private and public spaces; a peer reviewed publication addressing environmental design for urban cooling; and book chapter on integrating green infrastructure with accessible design.

Researchers: Professor Claudia Baldwin, Associate Professor Tony Matthews, Dr Chris Boulton, and Silvia Tavares

Contact: Adjunct Prof Claudia Baldwin or Dr Silvia Tavares

Stateless Children in Lombok

Indonesia 2014—2018

Funded by the Canadian Social Science and Humanities Awards (SSHRC). Participatory research with children of transnational migrants. Chief investigators: Prof Leslie Butt and Prof Jessica Ball, University of Victoria, Canada.
Contact: Associate Professor Harriot Beazley

Our team