Our History
The Barbara Hardy Institute was formed in 2011 following the amalgamation of the Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies with the Barbara Hardy Centre for Sustainable Urban Environments. This page gives a brief account of the antecedent research concentrations and how they were formed at UniSA.
1984
The Agricultural Machinery Research and Design Centre was formed with
Director
John Fielke. The Centre evolved out of a need in the industry for
quality research and development into the engineering aspects of agriculture
and the processes of adding of value to agricultural products.
1992
The Transport Systems Centre was formed with Director
Michael Taylor.
The Centre focused on strategic
and applied research, consultancy, and
postgraduate and undergraduate teaching, seeking long-term solutions to
problems of transport and logistics.
1993
The Centre for Building and Planning Studies was formed with Director
George Zillante.
The Centre was established to provide resources and opportunities for
research into the planning, design and development functions of government,
industry and community. It has developed an expert advisory consultant
service to the building and planning industry.
1995
The Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics was formed with Director Jerzy Filar.
It's focus was specialist mathematical research and consulting, with
an emphasis on mathematical and computer modelling techniques.
1996
The Sustainable Energy Centre was formed with Director
Wasim Saman. With
an emphasis on developing and promoting systems and technologies which
contribute to climate change mitigation and adaption, it focused on energy demand-side
management and renewable energy applications.
2002
Leaders of the centres
started planning to form a research Institute.
2003
The Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies Initiative was formed
through the University of South Australia Emerging Thematic Priorities
Scheme. The leaders were
Michael Taylor
(2003) followed by
Wasim Saman and Jerzy Filar
(2004-2005).
2006
The Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies was launched,
incorporating the centres. The founding Director was
Wasim Saman.
2007
The
Centre for Building and Planning Studies joined the Institute for
Sustainable Systems and Technologies.
2009
The Barbara Hardy Centre was formed with Director
Chris Daniels.
It
was focussed on the sustainability
of cities, the conservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of the
natural processes that sustain life. With their work underpinned by community
participation and education.
2009
Michael Taylor
was appointed Director of the Institute for Sustainable Systems and
Technologies.
2009
The Regional Sustainability Centre located at Whyalla Campus was
formed in 2009 as part of the Institute for Sustainable Systems and
Technologies, with Director
Farid Christo.
Establishment of the Centre was in response to projected increase in demands
for energy and water resources in regional South Australia.
2010
The Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics formed another research concentration with Director
Vladimir Ejov with some members remaining within the Institute for
Sustainable Systems and Technologies.
2011
The Barbara Hardy Centre amalgamated with the Institute for Sustainable
Systems and Technologies, forming the Barbara Hardy
Institute, with Chris Daniels as its Director.
The Barbara Hardy Institute will official launch on November 30.