Victoria University (VU) has three higher education faculties that each have a reputation for research excellence in Australia and overseas. Research in the faculties is undertaken by our:

• University Research Centres
• research groups
• academic staff
• visiting researchers
• postdoctoral fellows
• postgraduate students

These groups have a diverse range of expertise and research strengths. Much of their work is carried out in close collaboration with industry, government and other research institutions. 

Arts, Education and Human Development research

Our research is strongly focused on engagement with communities and on making a difference in local, national and international arenas.  We offer a range of postgraduate research degrees by coursework and research degrees to Masters and PhD levels. Fields of study include a range of humanities, social science, psychology, education and sport-related fields.

Research strengths

Researchers in this faculty have special interests in:

• cultural diversity, social inclusion and emerging communities with strong links to the Institute for Community, Ethnicity and Policy Alternatives (ICEPA)
• community, clinical and sports psychology and strategies for active living (a focus of the Institute for Sport and Active Living (ISEAL))
• communication technologies and critical pedagogies
• creative arts and wellbeing
• Australian and Asian history and politics
• sleep research

• diabetes and cultural diversity in the community through the Australian Community Centre for Diabetes

Research experts

The Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development Expertise Guide is a searchable database of our staff. Potential research students who want to find a research degree supervisor can search for staff by interest and specialisation.

Contact us

If you require further information about research in the Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development or would like to know how we can work in partnership with you, please contact Michele Grossman, Associate Dean (Research and Research Training) at michele.grossman@vu.edu.au or one of our research coordinators:

Enza Gandolfo
School of Communication and the Arts
Email: enza.gandolfo@vu.edu.au

Tarquam McKenna
School of Education
Email: tarquam.mckenna@vu.edu.au

Marty Grace
School of Social Science and Psychology
Email: marty.grace@vu.edu.au

Nigel Stepto
School of Sport and Exercise Science
Email: nigel.stepto@vu.edu.au

Mark Vicars
Doctor of Education
Email: mark.vicars@vu.edu.au

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Business and Law research

Research in the Faculty of Business and Law  is committed to self-generated and collaborative research that solves community issues. We have undertaken hundreds of research projects with clients ranging from small businesses and community organisations through to large organisations and government agencies.

Research strengths

Some key areas of research include:

• developing software tools to support negotiated decision making
• building ethical standards into corporate governance
• assessing the economic impacts of climate change
• studying the impact of WorkChoices legislation on Victorian workers

• analysing the social impact of tourism

Research experts

Research is undertaken by academic staff members, research students and the faculty's three Research Centres:

• Centre for Strategic Economic Studies (CSES)
• Centre for Tourism and Services Research (CTSR) 

Contact us

If you require further information about research in the Faculty of Business and Law or would like to know how we can work in partnership with you, please contact Santina Bertone, Associate Dean (Research and Research Training) at santina.bertone@vu.edu.au or one of our research coordinators:

Guneratne Wickremasinghe
School of Accounting
Email: guneratne.wickremasinghe@vu.edu.au

Sarath Divisekara
School of Economics and Finance
Email: sarath.divisekara@vu.edu.au

Barry O'Mahony
School of Hospitality, Tourism and Marketing
Email: barry.omahony@vu.edu.au

Daud Hassan
School of Law
Email: daud.hassan@vu.edu.au

Karen Manning
School of Management and Information Systems
Email: karen.manning@vu.edu.au

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Health, Engineering and Science research

The Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science undertakes fundamental and applied research focused on developing innovative technologies with direct application to industry and the community. 

Research strengths

Our research focus is on:

• water and environment
• fire safety and risk engineering through the Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE)
• wireless and network engineering
• telecommunications and microelectronics in collaboration with Centre for Telecommunications and Micro-Electronics
• polymer and packaging
• food marketing and science
• vibrations, dynamics and thermofluids
• internet technologies
• mathematical applications, biotechnology and biomedical research
• chemical synthesis and analytical science
• mental health, diabetes, midwifery and acute care

The specialist Research Centres in the faculty include:

• Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE)
• Centre for Telecommunications and Micro-Electronics (CTME)
• Applied Informatics Research Centre (CAI)

Specialist research groups in the faculty include:

• Research Group in Mathematical Inequalities and Applications (RGMIA)
  RGMIA is a specialist group committed to creating awareness of the theory of inequalities, its application in the sciences, and findings through publications and conferences.
• Food Marketing Research Unit (FMRU)
  FMRU is a specialist unit established in 1991 with a grant from the Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Government of Australia. The Unit is focused on research, education, consultancy, training, and information dissemination to stakeholders in all segments of the food value chain.

Contact us

If you require further information about research in the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science or would like to know how we can work in partnership with you, please contact Chris Perera, Associate Dean (Research and Research Training) at chris.perera@vu.edu.au or one of our research coordinators:

Alan Hayes
School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
Email: alan.hayes@vu.edu.au

Gitesh Raikundalia
School of Engineering and Science
Email: gitesh.raikundalia@vu.edu.au

Lisa Heslop
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Email: lisa.heslop@vu.edu.au

Research students

The research undertaken by our postgraduate students forms an integral part of faculty research efforts. It is designed to meet the needs of students and industry, and plays a major role in developing Australia's future researchers and prospective academics. Our research strengths extend across disciplines and provide extensive opportunities for graduates wanting to enhance their career with a research degree. 

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