Social Innovation Research Institute
Where technology meets humanity to co-create solutions for complex social challenges.
The Social Innovation Research Institute is leading social innovation in the digital economy. We create solutions to complex social problems using co-design, new technologies and data analytics techniques. We work at the intersection between social challenges and the potential of technology, striving for greater social equity.
Drive innovative social practice through new methods, data and networks
Generate evidence and insights that address real-life social problems
Catalyse a community of innovators dedicated to social good
Our research programs
Finding solutions to complex social problems
Our people
Blending expertise across social and data science.
Our key capabilities
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Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)
APO is an open access evidence platform – making public policy research and resources accessible and useable.
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Social Data Analytics (SoDA) Lab
Enabling a connection between data, data science and an empowered community sector within the emerging Society 4.0. -
Social and Community Services 4.0
Download a copy of Swinburne’s Social and Community Services 4.0 Tech Capable 2025 briefing.
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Article: Researcher tackles scourge of loneliness
Professor Jane Farmer speaks to The Australian about Swinburne’s ARC Linkage grant which will focus on building social connections.
Note: This content requires a subscription to read in full.
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Report: Data for Good Collaboration
This project aimed to build organisational data capacity through knowledge sharing about data literacy, expertise and collaboration; and deliver data insights to create the Data for Good Collaboration model.
Work with us
Whether you’re a community, government or corporate organisation, we want to work with you to drive innovative practice and help solve your complex problems! We have a great team of researchers across a variety of disciplines who can work across projects of all sizes. Get your project started by following these steps:
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Talk
Step 1
Let us know the challenges you’re facing, your ideas or your questions and we’ll work out how to align our research expertise. Call us on +61 3 9214 8180 or email sii@swinburne.edu.au.
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Co-design
Step 2
We get together for a co-design workshop, to brainstorm ideas and solutions.
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Funding
Step 3
If the project needs funding, there are various opportunities we can tap into, including applying for external grant funding.
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Take off
Step 4
We’ll work with you to design a full pilot project that includes appropriate ethical approval and evidence summaries.
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Society 4.0
Society 4.0 reflects the societal implications of living with and adapting to an increasingly digital and connected world. Our Institute is exploring the positive change that can come from this. We hold an annual forum focused on Society 4.0, exploring People and Technology and current thinking around digitisation, new technologies and society.
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"The work [with SIRI] informed our strategy on the future of humanitarian action as the evidence demonstrated the value of volunteering yet how vital it is that we also invest rapidly in new ways to support people and communities to act. We aim to continue to work with Swinburne and use the technique to inform our future work.”
Penny Harrison , Director, Volunteering, Australian Red Cross
Our latest news
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- Health
Using storytelling to reduce ageism in the community
A Swinburne-led project is using digital storytelling to prevent ageism, which can lead to elder abuse.Monday 24 February 2020 -
- University
Bushfire research at Swinburne
Research is underway to improve bushfire preparedness, response and recovery, and find innovative solutions to issues affecting communities across the countThursday 06 February 2020 -
- Social Affairs
Four-day working week movement gathers momentum
A shorter working week continues to gain favour says Alice Martin from the New Economics Foundation think tank, ahead of a public lecture at Swinburne.Monday 14 October 2019 -
- Social Affairs
Analysis & Policy Observatory appoints new Director
Dr Brigid van Wanrooy has been appointed Director of Analysis & Policy Observatory, hosted at Swinburne.Thursday 08 August 2019 -
- Social Affairs
Promoting humanitarian action in a digital world
A Swinburne and Red Cross collaboration is shedding new light on the forms and drivers of humanitarian behaviour.Wednesday 31 July 2019
Find more news articles about the Social Innovation Research Institute.
Upcoming events
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Research
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Kinship care: what's working, what isn't, and what's next?
This workshop will explore challenges experienced by kinship carers, emerging issues confronting kinship care, ways to improve policies and practices, as well as strategies for building community awareness.
Register now (Kinship care: what's working, what isn't, and what's next?) -
Research
- Technology
- Information Technology
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Social science + data science = impact: collaborative methods for industry partnerships
In this lunchtime webinar, researchers from the Swinburne node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making & Society and the Social Innovation Research Institute share practical insights from recent interdisciplinary research partnerships with industry that brought social scientists and data scientists together for social impact.
Register now (Social science + data science = impact: collaborative methods for industry partnerships) -
Research
- Health
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Digital cultures and sexual health: research and practice roundtable
This roundtable conversation brings together social researchers, and sexual health promotion experts to share their insights into emerging research and practical responses at the intersection of digital cultures and sexual health in Australia.
Register now (Digital cultures and sexual health: research and practice roundtable)
Our collaborating research centres
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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 8180 or emailing sii@swinburne.edu.au.