Sustainability Research Centre
The Sustainability Research Centre (SRC) was formalised as one of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s flagship research concentrations in September 2007. In 2012 the SRC was also designated as a Tier 1 research centre.
Research focus
Our niche area of research is societal adaptation—more specifically, understanding the social dimensions of regional environmental change. Our disciplinary focus is on the social sciences (eg geography and cultural studies). Through this focus, we make contributions to knowledge in the areas of:
- sustainability science
- resilience
- adaptive capacity
- social learning
- social capital
- adaptive management
- natural resource governance
- Indigenous knowledge
- community livelihoods
While our work encompasses a range of disciplines and undertakes transdisciplinary research, our core focus is aligned with social, behavioural and economic sciences. Our focus areas can be applied to a range of sustainability issues such as coastal management, climate change, and water management (recognised as significant at local through to international scales)—in this way we can address real on-the-ground concerns of society and the environment.
Our researchers
The SRC includes over 60 members including established academics from both University faculties, CRN Fellows, early career researchers, higher degree by research (HDR) students, and support staff.
In 2010, our Centre established an Advisory Board to help guide the development of research activity. The Advisory Board includes four eminent Australians.
Programs
The SRC includes over 20 HDR students. Enrolments are now open for the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts (Research) programs.
There are also a number of other relevant postgraduate programs offered at USC. The SRC is also responsible for delivering the undergraduate major and minor in sustainability offered at USC.