Research is critical to the wellbeing of society and the planet we inhabit. It’s what drives advancement and development – from jobs and technology, to economics and health. It informs understanding of ourselves as individuals, as communities, as countries and indeed as part of the global community.
Our framework
At Torrens University, our Research that Matters framework ensures that the improvement of society, the environment and the human condition remains central to our work.
We aim to develop distinctive research and research training with enduring global and national significance.
Across Torrens University, our researchers are creating and building research programs that are making a difference to people's lives and developing new knowledge to inform our lives and the lives of future generations to come.
Hear from our leaders
The Torrens University Strategic Research Plan 2021-2025 is focused on creating knowledge that addresses practical situations, problems and opportunities to bring change – aiming at innovation to benefit societies. Our research program is critical to ensuring the University maintains the quality and relevance of its curriculum and preparing our graduates for the world of work.
Area of focus
We commit to finding and contributing to practical solutions valued by society – applying academic rigour, multidisciplinary collaboration and creative thinking.
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Building health solutionsWe have a growing track record of research focused on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and the improvement of individual wellbeing, including in older populations. This work clearly matters to the world we live in - our societies, our nation, our global community, our families and individuals. Some of our research is well known. For example our world renowned Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) is internationally respected for providing information to Australia on a broad range of health and other determinants & all critical to informed policy making and government action. The research that we do in public health, and health services and systems provides evidence about disease trends and risk factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions. Through this evidence base, we are creating solutions for patterns of care, and health care costs and use.
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Societies in drastic changeChange is part of everyday life. COVID-19 has shown us the threat of under preparedness. But so has the encroachment of climate change and natural disasters. Then there are day to day misfortunes in life. One cluster of research specialties at Torrens University is focused on preparedness – for challenges as well as opportunities. This ranges from examining and informing community bushfires preparedness to the broad application of Artificial Intelligence in life saving health technology to fraud detection, and air quality monitoring.
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People and industry for impactWe are now part of global innovation in how work ready programs are delivered and how students are prepared for future employment. Rapid technological change is disrupting businesses across all industries and our researchers are doing impactful work in identifying the new skills and capabilities required for the future. This includes areas which only a few decades ago relatively taken for granted. Soft skills is one example. At Torrens University, we ensure that our students graduate armed with soft skills so critical for their future careers and professional journeys. But we also have research expertise in the exploration of the value of supporting and building personal and interpersonal skills among staff across professions. Another is research into the how to best prepare people with disability transition into the workplace.
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Security and sustainabilitySustainable and secure practices will be critical for long term viability of the world and societies we live in. Our research is developing an evidence base to create frameworks for future planning, design and decision making. Research within this theme addresses local and global challenges, and is focused on creating social, ethical and environmental impacts that will safeguard the future that we share.
Our research centres
- For monitoring inequality in health and wellbeing.
- For supporting planning and research to improve population health outcomes.
The web-based data source provided by PHIDU is unique in Australia and freely available for the public.
Learn more about PHIDU-
Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Optimisation
The Centre of Artificial Intelligence Research and Optimisation (AIRO) focuses cutting-edge research in two of the ground-breaking areas of science in the current century: Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation. Our mission is to provide leadership in Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation research and to create intelligent solutions for the benefit of societies. Starting with the needs of industry, community, professional bodies, government and other stakeholders in Australia and overseas, we engage in the research process with collaborators, partners, end users and advisors. Our research foci include Information and Computing Sciences as well as Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing.
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Centre of Organisational Change and Agility
The Centre for Organisational Change and Agility (COCA) offers a productive and collaborative research environment focusing on sustainable solutions to key commercial and societal challenges. Our research is undertaken within the context of major mega trends affecting economies and societies: Globalisation, Climate Change and the digital and data-driven transformations taking place within the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Torrens grounds and aligns its research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in its desire to engage in impactful research that benefits economies, society and communities in general. Our practice-informed research approach spans research topics from accounting, finance, global project management, global supply and value, leadership, business systems, commercial services, tourism, and strategy, management and organisational behaviour.
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Centre for Research in EducationThe Centre for Research in Education (CRED) brings together researchers focused on Education to further our understanding of formal, informal, professional and social learning. Our research into learners, learning and pedagogy focuses on how learners are rapidly adapting to expanding modalities of learning. Increasingly learner autonomy across a range of cultures and spaces has seen learners driving their own creativity, innovation and productivity through multiple and flexible access to learning. Our research explores how we can better understand individualised learning and personalised preferences and how this learning intersects with other social, health, and economic futures.
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Centre for Healthy FuturesThe Centre for Healthy Futures aims for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and improvement of individual wellbeing. Through research on environmental, lifestyle and economic factors that impact health and quality of life, and with a particular focus on health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan, our research also contributes to better understanding healthcare systems and developing technology for both individual and whole of population health.
Our Higher Education courses
As the country’s fastest-growing university, Torrens University Australia brings a fresh approach to higher education. We focus on giving you the skills and the knowledge to ensure long-term success in your career. PhD qualified and research-active academics with strong ties to industry will support you in every step of your study.
Our researchers
Our researchers are skilled and experienced at working with stakeholders to develop and deliver research projects. Find a prospective collaborator or expert by searching Torrens University Australia Researcher Profiles.
Industry partnerships and collaboration
To address the real world issues today, research has to be tackled from multiple perspectives. We believe that when a problem is approached, perspectives from disciplines such as management, health, design and technology should be considered as part of the process. Only then is in-depth understanding enabled. Industry partnerships at Torrens University are critical when it comes down to relevance and impact in key areas of research. At Torrens University the drive is towards increased collaboration, interaction and engagement between disciplines as well as with partners to ensure research we conduct has real world application. Torrens University is developing fundamental, strategic and applied research expertise in focused areas that are related to and inform the courses of study offered, not only advancing knowledge but with the potential to lead to international research collaborations and contribute to society. We would like to hear from you if you want to sponsor a research project or research student, collaborate with Torrens research staff or provide supervision or assessment of higher degree students.If interested please contact us at researchoffice@torrens.edu.au.
Building a culture of research and scholarship
We aim to build a vibrant research culture in which diverse scholarly activities take place. Our organisational practice values research and provides a supportive context for research productivity.
We recognise the role of institutional practices in building a strong research culture and continue to develop our institutional capabilities including research policies, appropriate resources, research training, research discussions and research leadership.
Our culture is based on strong ethical standards and we abide by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
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Human Research EthicsThe Torrens University Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) reviews and monitors the ethical conduct of all human research at the University. Researchers must seek ethics clearance from the HREC before commencing any human research activity.
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Ethical Review ManagerThe HREC uses Ethical Review Manager (ERM) to adminsiter the ethical review process. The ERM can be accessed at https://torrens.forms.ethicalreviewmanager.com/ All queries about the ethical conduct of human research at Torrens University Australia, including concerns about effects on participants, should be directed to ethics@torrens.edu.au.
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Key Dates for HREC
Application submission deadlines
Application submission deadlines Meeting dates 23 January 2021 3 February 2021 22 March 2021 7 April 2021 17 May 2021 2 June 2021 19 July 2021 4 August 2021 20 September 2021 6 October 2021 15 November 2021 1 December 2021 -
Research IntegrityTorrens University Australia researchers should refer to the University’s Responsible Research Conduct Policy for information about research integrity processes and considerations at Torrens. The University abides by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2018), developed jointly by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Universities Australia. In addition, University researchers must be aware of and comply with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018), developed jointly by the NHMRC, ARC and Universities Australia.
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Research FundingThe Research Office provides responsive research support services for grants, research development, human research ethics and research integrity, policy, performance and reporting. The Research Office can be contacted at researchoffice@torrens.edu.au.
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