Sustainability and security
Researching for a secure and sustainable life in an ever-changing world will enable us to advocate for ethical, environmental and social standards for all. Our inter and transdisciplinary research under this theme is focused on safeguarding the future we share on the planet that sustains us – one which includes the vulnerable and marginalised.
Our research will empower governments, business and regulators and grassroots organisations alike to act to ensure that inequality does not pose a serious threat to people’s livelihoods and prosperity worldwide. Our research aligns with our B Corporation certification, and we are committed to Be Good.
Healthy futures and solutions
There is no doubt that our lifespans have increased, with medical, social and environmental improvements. We risk a world of suffocating heat waves, severe droughts, disastrous floods, and devastating wildfires. Entire regions could experience catastrophic declines in food production. Sea levels could rise, drowning major cities and small island states. Large populations would be displaced, exacerbating existing economic strains and social tensions. At the same time, there is an emerging consensus, longer life and modern lifestyles are also presenting challenges.
Our researchers are making ground-breaking contributions in Australia and globally - pioneering healthcare solutions for community. Change is part of everyday life. Preparing for disasters; whether they are natural, climate change or pandemic related is key to minimising the threats to our quality of life. COVID-19 has shown us the threat of under preparedness.
One cluster of research focuses on preparedness – for challenges as well as opportunities. We examine and inform by analysing a range of interdisciplinary problems including community bushfires preparedness to the broad application of artificial intelligence in life saving health technology to fraud detection and air quality monitoring.
People and industry for impact
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 were generally taken for granted.
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.
Our researchers are also working on how to best prepare people with disability transition into the workplace. Rapid technological change is disrupting businesses across all industries, and we are doing important work, identifying the new skills and capabilities required for the future. Their work will ensure our students are prepared for fulfilling careers which contribute to society and industry.
Societies in drastic change
We know that change is always happening. The pace of change can at times be unpredictable and can quickly destabilise our social structures and futures. We are focused on developing solutions and preparedness for dramatic social change – triggered by the pandemic, natural disasters and the fast advancing Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Our research is developing an evidence base to create frameworks for future planning, design and decision making.
Fields of research
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), is used in the measurement and analysis of research and development undertaken in Australia and New Zealand. The classifications enable Torrens University to quantify and classify its research activity in terms of application success, research income and expenditure, and research output (such as publications).
The Fields of Research (FoR) codes are used to compile submissions to statutory reporting initiatives including Excellence in Research Australia (ERA). The data is also used for strategic planning purposes within the University to understand the research profile of the Institution and help assists in driving investment into our current and emerging targeted research areas of strengths.
At Torrens University Australia we have a particular focus on the following Fields of Research:
- FoR 42: Health and Sciences Policy
- FoR 33: Built Environment and Design
- FoR 32: Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
- FoR 46: Information and Computing Sciences
- FoR 35: Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
Discover projects linked to our university themes
