Societal Wellbeing

Thriving communities require not only quality ‘ingredients’, but effective ways of mixing them. Freedoms must be balanced with restraint. Form with function. Productivity with contentment. We enhance the recipe daily.

Led by our Professions and Arts faculties, we address multidisciplinary problems in numerous areas critical to advancing quality of life: water, health, security, social innovation, economic development and more. Our research outcomes influence policy and planning. And we constantly explore how we can apply this influence to make life better for all—at home, interstate and abroad.

Impact stories

Speed-reducing innovations drive safety on regional roads

University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) is developing technology to reduce crashes at regional intersections and––in the words of CASR researcher Chris Stokes––“save lives.”

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Jailing is Failing: Rehabilitation in the Australian Prison System

The women entering Australia’s prison system are invariably accompanied by significant histories of trauma and abuse. Some have had children forcibly removed, and many women are experiencing levels of self-harm and suicidal ideation that would be completely unacceptable if identified in the outside world.

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Research unpacking student scholarships for work experience

Financial support for students undertaking work integrated learning is essential for improving the accessibility of internships and work placements. Research from the University of Adelaide Law School has identified key gaps in these programs and generated recommendations for maximising their accessibility.

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As the Aussie home ownership dream fades, it’s time to lift our game for renters

The number of people renting in Australia is growing at twice the rate of home ownership, and a new dataset generated by University of Adelaide researchers will help inform future policy that supports renters and guides infrastructure spending.

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A cool change is coming to city streets

Our cities are heating up and we need to find innovative ways to lower urban temperatures, or life will become increasingly harder for residents. In Adelaide, the number of days when outdoor temperatures soared above 40°C increased from only two days per year in 2000 to six days per year in 2020.

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The solution to staying safe could lie in the virtual world

Whilst many of us escape into virtual worlds as a fun diversion, Researchers believe the secret to teaching people to behave safely and act decisively in the real world can also be found amongst online realms.

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Battling the complexities of diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease

New research is hoping to create more accurate diagnostic tests to allow earlier intervention.

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