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Kakadu Nawurlandja Lookout landscape
Northern Institute

Research

We are driven to make positive differences in communities, society and policy through robust and independent research.

Since its formation in 2010, Northern Institute has become a regional leader in high-quality social and public policy research. We aim to understand regional development and provide strong evidence for policy development and capacity building whilst responding to the needs of governments and communities.

Northern Institute researchers are recognised nationally and internationally for their innovative methodologies and research outcomes. They collaborate through partnerships with local and international context experts to bring together a deep understanding of people, policy and place.

Research themes

Contemporary Indigenous governance, knowledge and science

Demography and growth planning

Realist research, evaluation and learning

Regional, economic, education and workforce development

Risk, disasters and resilience

researchers jen and paul sit on beach and look out onto sunset

Research centres and groups

Meet the teams that are specialists in their field:

  • Central Australian Research Group
  • Centre for Creative Futures
  • First Nations Sovereignty and Diplomacy Centre
  • Indigenous Enterprise Hub (The Hub)
  • Landscape Knowledge Visualisation Lab
  • Top End Language Lab
  • Top End Science, Technology and Society (Top End STS)
Learn more
Language Party – Darwin Botanic Gardens

Featured project

The Aikuma Project's Language Parties are a fresh and intimate style of gathering that celebrates the sea of languages spoken in our cities, towns, and neighbourhoods. Professor Steven Bird discusses the project and more. 

Find out more
  • Researcher Cathy Robinson

    Research partners

    Partners we work together with for social policy research related to health, biosecurity and systemic approaches to policy in remote regions.

    View research partnerships
  • Aasish adhikari researching in West Kimberly. Photo taken by Rohan Fisher

    Postgraduate research opportunities

    Research with us. Northern Insitute is looking for postgraduate researchers to join our knowledgeable teams on Country across Northern Australia. 

    View scholarships and projects
  • View of town in bright sun

    Past projects

    View past research projects.

    View past project listing

Find a Publication

View all publications, working papers, reports, journals and briefs.
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