Our research
Through our research the School of Social and Political Sciences aims to redefine the world, changing what matters. We undertake disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research which is underpinned by our shared values of intellectual freedom, integrity, social justice, diversity, and environmental sustainability.
Featured projects
Our world class research is influential in many fields beyond academia and our social and political scientists make a significant difference to people’s lives both nationally and internationally. Explore our broad range of current and completed research projects.
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Community employment partnerships
This project investigated how a successful model for promoting employment for people with disabilities could be adapted for implementation in Australia.
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Federalism and multiethnic political parties in Asia: Blending accommodation and moderation
This project aims to discover the kinds of hybrid federal designs and electoral systems that are most likely to be successful in multiethnic countries in Asia.
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Improving Indigenous health and wellbeing over the family life course
This project aims to reduce Indigenous health inequalities, a major social and economic problem in Australia.
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Women’s collective action and the village law in Indonesia
How women are driving change and shaping pathways for gender-inclusive development in rural Indonesia.
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Minutes of Evidence
A collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, education experts, performance artists, community members, government and community organisations that sheds light on the little-known history of the 1881 Victorian Parliamentary Coranderrk Inquiry.
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Nga Tūmanakotanga
Nga Tūmanakotanga (Turning the Tide on Prison Violence) is a project investigating the commissioning of institutional violence and how it might best be prevented.
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Scaling-up the impact of voluntary sustainability standards
From niche labels to catalysts to systemic change?
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The future cemetery
This research investigates the potential of new and innovative technologies to be incorporated into Australian cemeteries and memorial spaces.
Collaborations and partnerships
Our collaborations and partnerships are truly global in nature and generate significant impact both in academic and non-academic contexts.
Research networks
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Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies (CONREP)
CONREP is an international, interdisciplinary six university network which researches the impact and effects of the externalisation of refugee policies in two regions.
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Europe-Asia Security and Trade Network (EAST)
The Jean Monnet Erasmus+ Network on Europe-Asia Security and Trade (EAST) brings together an international, interdisciplinary network of experts.
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Justice-involved Young People (JYP) Network
Connecting people working for better outcomes for justice-involved young people in Victoria.
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Medicinal Psychedelics Research Network (MPRN)
The Medicinal Psychedelics Research Network (MPRN) brings together multidisciplinary researchers, policymakers and regulators to focus on the emerging field of medicinal psychedelics.
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Myanmar Research Network (MRN)
The MRN was created in 2019 by researchers from SSPS (Anthropology and Development Studies and Political Science) and School of Geography.
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Narrative Network
The Narrative Network is a network for academics at the University of Melbourne interested in narrative research, founded by Ashley Barnwell and Signe Ravn. The network comprises 70+ members from across the Faculty of Arts and beyond.
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Migration and Mobility Research Network (MMRN)
The MMRN initiative brings together a group of interdisciplinary researchers to focus on issues of migration, mobility, diversity and multiculturalism.
Contact us
The School welcomes research collaboration.
Contact us to learn more about partnering opportunities with the School of Social and Political Sciences.