About Us

• About the Institute of Advanced Studies
• High-level Objectives
• Governance and Structure
• Students
• OH&S

Our Schools

• School for Social and Policy Research
• School for Environmental Research
• Menzies School of Health Research
• Graduate School for Health Practice

Institute of Advanced Studies
Darwin NT 0909
Phone: 08 8946 6868
E-mail: ias@cdu.edu.au

High-level Objectives

Vision

To become the regional leader in research in the areas of social, cultural, environmental, intellectual and economic development of Northern Australia and surrounding areas.

• To build local research capacity and increased understanding of the local environment
• To provide core research expertise in response to community and government initiatives and needs
• To leverage our expertise for appropriate socio-economic returns.

Specific objectives

1. To expand and develop research activities and income. Research activities across the Institute will have an emphasis on four areas:
   • Natural and Cultural Resource Management
   • Human Health and Well-being
   • Teaching, Learning and Living, and
   • Community, Development, and Identity;
2. To develop partnerships with relevant bodies;
3. To increase post graduate research training; and
4. To increase the value of research endeavours across the University.

Research at Charles Darwin University focuses on the people, societies, cultures, economies, institutions and environments of tropical Australia and South East Asia, and the Australian desert. The Institute aims to have a lasting impact upon the policies and actions of governments, non-government organisations, businesses, and individuals while contributing to knowledge both in the region and globally. The Institute also aims to play a major role in the development of resident capacity relevant to areas of significance and importance to the Northern Territory. The diverse indigenous populations of the region give a special focus for much IAS research. The IAS has a crucial role in helping to train the next generation of researchers by means of Masters and Doctoral degrees and early career research support. (Source: Strategic Directions 2004-2005)

Research activities/long-term goals

• To be recognised internationally as a centre of excellence in areas of Desert Knowledge, Tropical Knowledge and Indigenous and Cross-Cultural knowledge
• To provide socially robust knowledge and capacity to underpin policy and delivery in education, health and community services and sustainable development in NT and our region.

Partnerships with relevant bodies

To build a reputation based on excellence in connections, by building the best relationships, which enable the University to draw on stakeholder views, recognise opportunities and provide access to the resources of other people and other organisations locally and around the globe to the ultimate benefit of the university and community at large.