Innovative Planet Research Institute
Innovating for a sustainable future.
At Swinburne’s Innovative Planet Research Institute, we connect people, planet and purpose to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Our mission is to deliver transformative insights, develop cutting-edge solutions and accelerate pathways towards a sustainable, resilient future.
From building resilient communities and designing future cities to advancing sustainable energy, reimagining transport and mobility and addressing health and ageing populations, we work to solve the real-world disruptions impacting lives at home, work and beyond.
We believe collaboration is key to achieving a sustainable future. By partnering with leading global organisations and uniting experts from diverse disciplines, we are creating a focused, coordinated approach to tackle the interconnected challenges of sustainable development.
Our research programs
Our research is transdisciplinary — encompassing urban technology, design and communication, computer and data science, health and psychology, and social science — and always includes at least one external partner.
Our people
Our team brings together expertise in urban environment design and management, transport and mobility solutions, new building infrastructure, and new distributed technologies for energy, water, waste and transport.
Insights and analysis
Discover how we’re driving sustainability through cutting-edge technologies, cross-disciplinary research, and innovative solutions. Explore the impactful work our team is delivering.
- Engineering
As earthquakes continue to destroy infrastructure around the world, these researchers are making our buildings more earthquake resistant
Infrastructure around the world is not made to cope with earthquakes, but Swinburne researchers are paving the way to make buildings earthquake resistant, thanks to their work in concrete engineering.
- Science
- Sustainability
- Engineering
International project to support Australia’s transition to clean energy with next-gen electrolysers
Swinburne researchers are part of an international team is developing new electrolysers to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne joins global Green Steel Alliance to advance carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking
Swinburne has become a founding member of the global Green Steel Alliance. The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders from around the world to advance the transition to a green economy.
- Technology
- Engineering
5G garbage trucks driving the future of smart cities
A pioneering Swinburne partnership with Brimbank City Council will help identify roadside issues and slash maintenance costs, supported by the Federal Government.
- Sustainability
Swinburne partners with Scope3 on world-first logistics emissions project
-
- Engineering
As earthquakes continue to destroy infrastructure around the world, these researchers are making our buildings more earthquake resistant
Infrastructure around the world is not made to cope with earthquakes, but Swinburne researchers are paving the way to make buildings earthquake resistant, thanks to their work in concrete engineering.
Thursday 19 December 2024 -
- Science
- Sustainability
- Engineering
International project to support Australia’s transition to clean energy with next-gen electrolysers
Swinburne researchers are part of an international team is developing new electrolysers to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
Wednesday 05 February 2025 -
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne joins global Green Steel Alliance to advance carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking
Swinburne has become a founding member of the global Green Steel Alliance. The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders from around the world to advance the transition to a green economy.
Wednesday 12 March 2025 -
- Technology
- Engineering
5G garbage trucks driving the future of smart cities
A pioneering Swinburne partnership with Brimbank City Council will help identify roadside issues and slash maintenance costs, supported by the Federal Government.
Friday 04 February 2022 -
- Sustainability
Swinburne partners with Scope3 on world-first logistics emissions project
Swinburne and Scope3 are developing a system to collect and report real-time greenhouse gas emissions in the transport and logistics supply chain.Monday 27 April 2020
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Our highlights
Read about events we’ve been part of, significant partnerships and important outcomes from the Innovative Planet Research Institute.
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Supply chain decarbonisation
This research project reviews and analyses the stages required to decarbonise Australia’s freight transport fleet.
Work with us
We have a talented team of researchers across a variety of disciplines who can work with you to solve complex problems of all sizes. Get your project started by following these steps:
Discuss
Step 1
Let us know what challenges you are experiencing, your ideas or your questions and we’ll align our research expertise. Call us on +61 3 9214 5177 or email scri@swinburne.edu.au.
Develop
Step 2
Relevant experts from our team will work with you to create ideas and identify possible solutions to the challenges we are facing.
Resource
Step 3
If the project needs funding, there are various opportunities we can tap into, including applying for external grant funding.
Implement
Step 4
We will design and implement a research project to address the issues at hand and deliver answers.
-
Discuss
Step 1
Let us know what challenges you are experiencing, your ideas or your questions and we’ll align our research expertise. Call us on +61 3 9214 5177 or email scri@swinburne.edu.au.
-
Develop
Step 2
Relevant experts from our team will work with you to create ideas and identify possible solutions to the challenges we are facing.
-
Resource
Step 3
If the project needs funding, there are various opportunities we can tap into, including applying for external grant funding.
-
Implement
Step 4
We will design and implement a research project to address the issues at hand and deliver answers.
Upcoming events
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Research
- Innovation
- Sustainability
Smart Cities Week: Australia and New Zealand
Smart Cities Week offers sessions designed to bring demand and supply side stakeholders together in a way that incubates business opportunities and incubates the smart cities investment pipeline.
Register now (Smart Cities Week: Australia and New Zealand) -
Research
So much smart city research, but where is the smart city?
Join us for a panel discussion about the implementation of the smart city, its challenges and misunderstandings.
Register now (So much smart city research, but where is the smart city?) -
Research
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Sea no evil: Can coastal communities plan for climate risk?
Rather than reacting to extreme events, can communities be empowered to understand, and to plan? Join us - pose this question and more.
Register now (Sea no evil: Can coastal communities plan for climate risk?)
Our latest news
- Engineering
As earthquakes continue to destroy infrastructure around the world, these researchers are making our buildings more earthquake resistant
Infrastructure around the world is not made to cope with earthquakes, but Swinburne researchers are paving the way to make buildings earthquake resistant, thanks to their work in concrete engineering.
- Science
- Sustainability
- Engineering
International project to support Australia’s transition to clean energy with next-gen electrolysers
Swinburne researchers are part of an international team is developing new electrolysers to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne joins global Green Steel Alliance to advance carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking
Swinburne has become a founding member of the global Green Steel Alliance. The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders from around the world to advance the transition to a green economy.
- Technology
- Engineering
5G garbage trucks driving the future of smart cities
A pioneering Swinburne partnership with Brimbank City Council will help identify roadside issues and slash maintenance costs, supported by the Federal Government.
- Sustainability
Swinburne partners with Scope3 on world-first logistics emissions project
-
- Engineering
As earthquakes continue to destroy infrastructure around the world, these researchers are making our buildings more earthquake resistant
Infrastructure around the world is not made to cope with earthquakes, but Swinburne researchers are paving the way to make buildings earthquake resistant, thanks to their work in concrete engineering.
Thursday 19 December 2024 -
- Science
- Sustainability
- Engineering
International project to support Australia’s transition to clean energy with next-gen electrolysers
Swinburne researchers are part of an international team is developing new electrolysers to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
Wednesday 05 February 2025 -
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne joins global Green Steel Alliance to advance carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking
Swinburne has become a founding member of the global Green Steel Alliance. The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders from around the world to advance the transition to a green economy.
Wednesday 12 March 2025 -
- Technology
- Engineering
5G garbage trucks driving the future of smart cities
A pioneering Swinburne partnership with Brimbank City Council will help identify roadside issues and slash maintenance costs, supported by the Federal Government.
Friday 04 February 2022 -
- Sustainability
Swinburne partners with Scope3 on world-first logistics emissions project
Swinburne and Scope3 are developing a system to collect and report real-time greenhouse gas emissions in the transport and logistics supply chain.Monday 27 April 2020
Find more news articles about the Innovative Planet Research Institute.
Discover our other research institutes
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Contact the Innovative Planet Research Institute
If your organisation would like to collaborate with us to solve a complex problem, or you simply want to contact our team, get in touch by calling +61 3 9214 5177 or emailing IPRI@swinburne.edu.au.