We work across the domains of land, water, ecosystems and communities to deliver outcome-focussed biophysical and socio-economic research. With partners, we deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges that arise from the demands and impacts of human activities on the environment.
Our research tackles the increasing pressure facing our natural and built environments from the combined effects of climate change, disasters such as bushfires and drought, and other disruptions.
We support government, industry and community in developing science to build environmental and social resilience.
Our research programs include
- Water security – providing trusted solutions to share and secure water for people, industry and ecosystems
- Living Landscapes – enabling policy and investment to protect and manage natural systems, so biodiversity flourishes, ecosystems function and adapt, and ecosystems services are maintained
- Sustainability Pathways – supporting sustainable consumption and production through urban and industrial transformations, adaptive communities and industries, and decision support and strategic planning
- Industry Environments – advancing responsible industrial development within resilient environments, through environmental assessment technologies, water quality management, and securing, recovering and re-purposing waste.
We also seek to understand the impacts of new and emerging science and to provide advice on their application or regulation. This area continually evolves as new technologies change the way we live.
To support this, we host two Future Science Platforms:
- Synthetic Biology – positioning Australia to play a role in one of the fastest growing areas of modern science so that we can understand global developments and, where appropriate, contribute to advances in areas including healthcare, industrial biotechnology, biosecurity, agriculture and food research.
- Responsible Innovation – exploring the complex issues for societies and their decision makers due to the pace of change of emerging science and technology. Our research looks at the interface of science and technology with society to ensure that emerging science domains can proceed responsibly and deliver positive impacts for society.
Meet the Land and Water Leadership Team
- Director – Jane Coram
- Deputy Director – Chris Chilcott
- Science Director – Paul Bertsch
- Acting Director, Business Development and Global – Stephen O'Dowd
- Future Science Platform leaders:
- Responsible Innovation Future Science – Justine Lacey
- Synthetic Biology Future Science – Colin Scott (acting)
- Research Director, Industry Environments – Andy Whiteley
- Research Director, Living Landscapes – Libby Pinkard
- Research Director, Sustainability Pathways – Joanne Chong
- Research Director, Water Security – Carmel Pollino
Download brochures
- Work with us to unlock our sustainable future PDF (7 MB)
- Work with us to unlock our sustainable future - accessible text only TXT (6 KB)
- Solving the greatest environmental challenges PDF (817 KB)
- Solving the greatest environmental challenges - accessible text only TXT (9 KB)