We are Australia’s largest research network exploring how human environments function and evolve.

Across the globe, industry and governments are mobilising research leaders to meet the great challenges of our age. As polycrises emerge, Cities Research Institute is an unwavering guide in shaping safe, healthy, connected places where collaboration strengthens communities, and people and the planet thrive.

Our mission is to foster partnerships for goals through agile, challenge led, inter/transdisciplinary research, impact, and innovation. Guided by megatrends, global nature-based agendas, and the UN SDGs, our researchers cross the breadth and depth of Indigenous knowledge, policy, industry practice, and academic expertise to develop the next generation of progressive problem solvers. We are committed to accelerating the creation of action-orientated approaches to advance climate action and deliver climate resilient cities and communities.

We are collaborative; accountable and rigorous. We are passionate about achieving pragmatic and achievable outcomes to positively impact the human environment.

Our commitments

Carrying out high-quality research that blends academic rigor with policy relevance

Partnering with government, industry, and the community to address real-world built environment challenges

Presenting our research results in practical ways alongside traditional academic formats

Fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and continuous professional development to enhance our institute's capabilities

Meet our researchers

See the team that makes the Cities Research Institute and discover our individual research strengths.

Higher Degree Research candidates

See who’s currently studying with us, their thesis topics and supervisors.

Powerful partnerships

Our collaborations with industry and government produce tangible benefits for cities and communities.

Research expertise

Explore our core research themes