Research Centres

Explore our inter-disciplinary research across key centres.

Underwater reef
UNSW-GWI is founded on the University’s long history of excellence in water and water related research and its application to industry and policy. The Institute draws on the expertise of the following UNSW research centres and facilities to bring a truly multi-disciplinary approach to the complex challenges and opportunities facing water and related sectors worldwide.

Centre for Ecosystem Science

The Centre for Ecosystem Science has a strong focus on promoting the viability of wetlands, rivers and marine ecosystems primarily through understanding ecosystem function and developing conservation solutions

Centre for Marine Science and Innovation

Our Mission is to provide the fundamental research and evidence-base underpinning environmental decision-making to ensure sustainable use of marine, coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

City Futures Research Centre

The City Futures Research Centre is a national leader in scholarly applied urban research. Research at the Centre spans the interrelated areas of urban planning, housing, health and well-being, design, urban development and social policy.

Climate Change Research Centre

The multi-disciplinary Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) has expertise in the key areas of Earth's climate, including atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial processes. CCRC researchers apply basic scientific principles to pressing questions on climate dynamics, global climate change, and extremes of weather and climate

Connected Waters Initiative (CWI)

The Connected Waters Initiative is a multidisciplinary initiative. We undertake world-leading research that advances knowledge of groundwater processes to create solutions which provide effective water supply management for communities, agriculture and mining in the Asian Pacific region and internationally.

Evolution & Ecology Research Centre

The Evolution and Ecology Research Centre provides a cohesive and cooperative environment for the University's effort in evolution and ecology research and research training.

UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology

The UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology (UCMST) is one of the only four UNESCO Science Centres worldwide. Membrane Science is key to addressing global needs for food, energy, and water in a sustainable manner. Our focus is to develop enabling technologies through fundamental science and to disseminate knowledge to meet these needs.

Water Research Centre

The Water Research Centre at UNSW is a multi-disciplinary research centre with a 65-year history of leading Australian water research within a holistic international perspective of water, from catchment to ocean and beyond.

Water Research Laboratory

UNSW’s Water Research Laboratory (WRL) is a leading international research and consulting laboratory that can best be described as an expert problem solver in engineering relating to water, the coast, the environment and groundwater.

Environment & society

As environment and society scholars, we critically engage the urgent issues of these times, which we understand as contextualised in long histories of human social and ecological interactions. Our research aims to recognise and create safe and thriving spaces – environmentally, culturally and socially – for all beings.

opens in a new window

Environmental Law Group

The Environmental Law Group includes leading environmental law scholars who are passionate advocates for evidence-based environmental policymaking and regulatory development at the global, national and local levels.

opens in a new window

Ways to connect