Areas of research focus

Flinders has chosen 17 areas of research focus, which are outlined below.

They represent areas in which Flinders University has considerable research strength, but also where we have identified external opportunities for collaboration and partnership – in a real sense, they are where our capability meets opportunity.

Aboriginal health

Positioning Flinders to become a leading Aboriginal health research provider in partnership with Aboriginal and other stakeholders

The Flinders Aboriginal Health and Research Unit's health scientists, educators and psychologists, based in Adelaide and Alice Springs, are core partners in the CRC for Aboriginal Health and the national Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

Further information: Flinders Aboriginal Health Research Unit

Applied cognitive psychology

A leading group applying cognitive psychological research to a diverse array of contemporary human phenomena

Cognitive psychology addresses a diverse array of contemporary human phenomena, suggesting practical solutions for many real world problems. Our concentration of internationally-renowned researchers in fundamental areas of human cognition applies cognitive psychological principles to practical issues as diverse as autism, brain function in psychopathology, decision-making, eating disorders, eyewitness memory, human adaptation throughout the lifespan, trauma reactions, and sleep disorders.

Further information: Applied Cognitive Psychology

Bioknowledge

Understanding and interpreting processes that affect the conservation and functioning of Australia's biodiversity and landscapes

Future plans of state and national governments address environmentally sustainable development in parallel with conservation. This group brings together researchers from ecology, ecotourism, cultural tourism, earth sciences, geography, screen studies and education to create a knowledge base for implementing such plans.

Further information: Flinders Bioknowledge

Cancer control alliance

Seeking to reduce the impact and burden of cancer through excellence in cancer research and its translation into clinical practice

The Flinders Cancer Control Alliance (FCCA), established in 2005, brought together around 70 Flinders-campus-based researchers and practitioners, with varied expertise, to facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to the development of solutions for cancer prevention and control.

The FCCA’s research profile and partnerships have steadily grown. In mid-2008, the University formally established the Flinders Centre for Cancer Prevention and Control (FCCPC) to replace the FCCA, continue a strategic research focus on the control of cancer through prevention and early detection and further develop national and international partnerships.

Further information: Flinders Centre for Cancer Prevention and Control

Clinical change

Filling critical gaps in our knowledge on chronic disease management, and later and end-of-life health care for older adults

The Flinders Centre for Clinical Change and Health Care Research aims to build an evidence base for the planning of optimum treatments and cost effective coordinated models of health care delivery in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, intermediate care, residential and primary care.

Further information: Flinders Centre for Clinical Change and Health Care Research

Coasts and catchments

Research expertise which encompasses the whole of the water cycle

The Flinders Research Centre for Coastal and Catchment Environments brings exceptional multidisciplinary capability to research which will guide the sustainable management of aspects of the water cycle relevant to coastal and catchment environments.

Further information: Flinders Research Centre for Coastal and Catchment Environments

Cultural heritage and exchange

Bringing together those who study the nature of our cultural heritage with those who study the way in which this heritage develops

The Humanities Research Centre for Cultural Heritage and Cultural Exchange is a group of over 80 researchers reflecting Flinders University's distinctive combination of research across archaeology, major European languages, history, cinema studies and cultural tourism. One developing focus is the use of open access publishing and digital repositories for the exchange of knowledge generated by the group.

Further information: Humanities Research Centre for Cultural Heritage and Cultural Exchange

Educational Futures

Creating a knowledge base for educational action

Research in the Centre for Analysis of Educational Futures is directed towards the development and use of evidence that will support sound educational policy and practice. Centre staff work with university colleagues, educational organisations and industry to help specify research needs, identify sources of funding support and undertake research that will provide a sound basis for future educational action.

Further information: Centre for Analysis of Educational Futures

Eye and Vision Collaborative Group

Improving outcomes for patients with blinding eye conditions

This multidisciplinary Eye and Vision Collaborative Group's focus is on the relationship between vision and the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations. The group has many collaborations and is actively pursuing links with relevant industries, particularly the optics industry centred in Adelaide.

Further information: Eye and Vision Collaborative Group

Flinders International Asia Pacific

Researching issues that impact on security and wellbeing in Australia and the Asia Pacific region

Australia's security and prosperity are closely linked with those of its regional neighbours.This group offers research and consulting expertise across a range of contemporary and future transnational policy, security and risk issues. The group is developing marketable applications of its research, appropriate to the needs of industry, government and communities.

Further information: Flinders International Asia Pacific

Health and society

Conducting policy and practice relevant research into the social and economic determinants of health

The Health and Society group provides a focus for Flinders' established reputation for research into the ways in which a range of social and economic factors can influence health outcomes and access to health care and services. These factors include: employment and the labour market; housing and the structure of suburban environments; and economic, social and structural determinants of risky and unhealthy behaviours. The group is a national leader in research into the social, cultural and economic factors that promote health and those factors that impede access to health and other related service use.

Further information: Health and Society

Immune strategies

Finding new and better ways to counter infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and allergy

The Immune Strategies Research Group is a major national centre for immunology, infectious disease

and inflammation research, with a particular focus on translational clinical research. Its research ranges across the spectrum from basic immunology design and development, to vaccine and immunotherapy clinical trials. Its members are researchers from the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering and imaging, with expertise covering infectious disease, the innate immune system, vaccines, autoantibody-mediated diseases, inflammatory eye disease, allergy, diabetes, vascular disease, neuroscience, monoclonalantibody production, diagnostic tests, and pharmacology.

Further information: Immune Strategies

Medical devices and technologies

Medical devices and technologies represent one of the most rapidly growing and dynamic sectors of the global economy

Technological advances in biology and medicine increasingly depend on contributions from the physical sciences, mathematics and engineering. They emerge from basic research applied, through design and development, to clinical trials and commercialisation.

Further information: Flinders Medical Devices & Technologies

Musculoskeletal Health

Addressing the significant economic and social burden of chronic musculoskeletal conditions

Musculoskeletal disease and injury are among the biggest causes of chronic disability in the Australian community and are major factors impacting on healthy ageing. The Musculoskeletal Health Research Group at Flinders University specialises in the prevention and cost effective management of musculoskeletal disorders. Its multidisciplinary approach builds on the University's established strengths in areas such as chronic disease and ageing, which have been identified as national health priorities in Australia.

Further information: Musculoskeletal Health

Nanostructures

Research at the intersection of molecular science and nanotechnology

Novel, innovative and cross-disciplinary research unites medical researchers, chemists, physicists, biologists and biotechnologists in the task of improving people's quality of life. This includes providing advances in health care, cleaner choices in environmental management, and greater choices and efficiency for the advanced manufacturing industries.

Further information: Nanostructures and Molecular Interactions

Neuroscience

Addressing broad questions at the forefront of research into the brain, mind and nervous system

Neuroscience research will translate into improved health care, commercialisation of inventions, and the development of health, education and social policy to address the huge direct and indirect costs arising from disorders of the brain and mind.

Further information: Neuroscience

Social monitoring

Monitoring and analysing our community and social life to explore future options for society and policy

This research group brings together policy analysts with wide expertise in monitoring and assessing key dimensions of social change. Its research generates in-depth understanding of specific social issues and problems, along with knowledge of broad social trends.

Further information: Social Monitoring and Policy Futures Network