With a reputation for practical research focused on solving real-world problems, Curtin attracts high-calibre research professionals and students who work together on the latest research projects.
Our research activities are concentrated around four areas of strength. These areas hold the key to the future development of communities within our region.
Curtin is the largest and most comprehensive provider of health sciences research in Western Australia, internationally-renowned in population health, vulnerable communities, mental health and aged care. Our strong relationships with the community, governments and industry partners open up opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary research that not only pushes forward the boundaries of our understanding of health issues, but creates real-life solutions.
Our Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), an exciting integration ofresearchers, educators and health professionals, is at the hub of much of our research activity in this field. Its research focuses on five primary themes: ageing, chronic disease, indigenous health, mental health and population health.
More about health research at Curtin
Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Emerging Technologies (ET) is a broad area concerned with the use of technology to communicate information.
The exploration and development of next-generation technologies offer exciting possibilities for research students, as Curtin continues with research initiatives across areas as diverse as radio astronomy, spatial science, wireless telecommunications, digital humanities, e-business, e-health and digital ontologies. Amazing opportunities have resulted from Curtin's continued expansion into radio astronomy to help Australia secure the world's largest radio astronomy project: the A$2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) that promises to be one of the world's most illuminating scientific endeavours this century. Curtin has recruited world-class researchers to establish the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy and help guide Curtin's contribution to the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.
Through the precinct, WASM and other areas of the University, we will continue to work with industry to find real solutions to real-world problems in the minerals and energy sector. All the while, we'll be training the next generation of scientists and engineers to ensure the continued growth of the sector.
More about ICT and emerging technologies research at Curtin
Our involvement with the Western Australian minerals and energy industry dates back to 1902 with the establishment of the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM). The oldest constituent part of Curtin, WASM has been the foundation on which Curtin has built its reputation as one of the world's leaders in the field of minerals and energy education and research.
Now, more than 100 years later, Western Australia's resources sector has grown phenomenally and we're taking our endeavours in the field to a new level with the new Curtin Resources and Chemistry Precinct - a state-of-the-art facility that brings some of the world's best researchers and teachers to Perth. This vibrant environment, with more than 200 professional scientists, engineers and support staff from academia, industry and government, creates the perfect foundation for industry-relevant research.
More about minerals and energy research at Curtin
How do you advance the economic and social welfare of a population without compromising the quality of the environment for current and future generations?
That's the challenge facing governments, business and communities around the world - and one which Curtin researchers are seeking to find solutions for.
The issue of sustainable development is of huge importance to nations confronting the depletion of natural resources, environmental pressures and the impacts of climate change. Sustainability is no longer just about the environment. It is about making sure the way we live today is consistent with future as well as present needs, affecting everything from the exploitation of resources and direction of investments to the orientation of technological development and institutional change.
Our research effort in this field reflects this move towards a much broader definition.
Most of our research is carried out in Western Australia at research institutes and centres at or near our main campus. We offer higher degrees by research at the master and doctoral level.
Our research institutes and centres bring together some of the most well-respected researchers from Australia and the world, across a range of areas.
