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About the Hawke Research Institute
 

Overview

Since its inception, the University of South Australia has remained committed to the value of the humanities and social sciences in helping society to set directions and solve problems. The Hawke Research Institute is one way of expressing this commitment. Named after Australia's second-longest-serving prime minister, the Hawke Research Institute was established in 1997 to undertake public policy research in association with the newly established Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre. In 2004, the institute was expanded, with a strong commitment to working towards social inclusion, equity and social sustainability. Today, ten research concentrations are affiliated with the HRI and the institute has approximately 90 staff and researchers and a research income of approximately $2 million per year.

Our approach

The Hawke Research Institute carries out the best of humanities and social sciences research in programs dedicated to building a sustainable and vibrant Australia. Its research focuses on producing outcomes that influence public policy and assist communities locally, nationally and globally to build better societies.

HRI researchers in front of Murray HouseOur strengths include:

Within and across these areas – and across the university's broader expertise in such fields as urban development, the environment, public health, business and information technology – researchers work in a number of networks and clusters to address contemporary social problems. The Hawke's vibrant program of seminars includes contributions from many national and international visiting scholars, our own leading researchers and research students. There is an ongoing commitment to engaging deeply with a range of social theories, research methodologies and the interface between research and policy.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Hawke Research Institute please visit Research and Innovation Services' membership requirements page.

Recent reports


Hawke Research Institute annual report 2011 (PDF 2.2 MB)
Hawke Research Institute report 2009–2010 (PDF 1 MB)
 

Our research concentrations


Australian Centre for Child Protection

Director: Prof Fiona Arney
The centre is developing evidence-based approaches to preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect. Through research and and professional education it seeks the best practices to prevent and reduce child maltreatment in vulnerable and high risk populations.

Centre for Peace, Conflict and Mediation

Director: Prof Elisabeth Porter
The Centre for Peace, Conflict and Mediation promotes the study and the management of all types of conflict, whether through legal processes or otherwise, for the benefit of the diverse cultural groups in contemporary Australia.

Centre for Post-colonial and Globalisation Studies

Director: Prof Pal Ahluwalia
The Centre for Post-colonial and Globalisation Studies harnesses the breadth of contemporary post-colonial perspectives to examine questions of power and representation that impact on the development of sustainable modern societies.

Centre for Research in Education

Director: Prof Mohan Chinnappan
CREd leads research within the School of Education and is especially concerned with social justice, lifespan development and learning, and sustainability.

Centre for Work + Life

Director: Prof Barbara Pocock
The Centre for Work and Life is a hub for innovative thinking about work, life and improving the wellbeing of Australians.

Group for Research in Integrity and Governance

Convenor: Assoc Prof Howard Harris
The Group for Research in Integrity and Governance (GIG) conducts research and engages with practitioners in the areas of corporate governance and many aspects of integrity.

International Centre for Muslim and Non-Muslim Understanding

Director: Prof Salman Sayyid
This centre encourages scholarship that examines and understands the root causes of the divide between Muslim and non-Muslim cultures and develops models to bridge this divide.

National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education

Director: Prof Ed Carson
The National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education facilitates the study of student equity policy and practice in Australian higher education and in related fields, and aims to lead the development of new knowledge in these fields.

Research Centre for Gender Studies

Director: Prof Suzanne Franzway
The Research Centre for Gender Studies fosters excellence and creativity in research and postgraduate teaching on gender. Research areas include gender, work and economy; gender and education; and gender and cultural studies.

Social Policy Research Group

Coordinator: Dr Sue King
The Social Policy Research Group focuses on social justice and social policy, the impact of economic and welfare reform on disadvantaged groups in the community, inequality, and social exclusion.
 

Industry and academic links


Our industry partners

The Hawke Research Institute is a member of:

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