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

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: 

  • 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.

  • Co-design

    Step 2

    We get together for a co-design workshop, to brainstorm ideas and solutions.

  • Funding

    Step 3

    If the project needs funding, there are various opportunities we can tap into, including applying for external grant funding.

  • Take off

    Step 4

    We’ll work with you to design a full pilot project that includes appropriate ethical approval and evidence summaries. 

  • 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.

    Discover more (Society 4.0)

  • "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

Find more news articles about the Social Innovation Research Institute. 

Upcoming events

  • Research
    • Technology
    • Business
    • Information Technology
    • Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

    Women's eSafety by Design

    Join in a conversation envisioning a world of online safety and network with the eSafety Commissioner,Julie Inman-Grant, Swinburne researchers and Swinburne partner organisations working to end all forms of violence against women and children.

    Tue 5 September
    5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
    Level 3, AMDC Building, Swinburne University, 469-477 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn
    Free
    Register now (Women's eSafety by Design)
  • Research
    • Technology
    • Information Technology
    • Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

    Technology x Society Forum: Implementing Australia's AI Ethics Principles

    We invite you to join Rita Arrigo, Strategic Engagement Manager at CSIRO National AI Centre and Professor Lawrie Zion, Associate Dean, Research and Industry Engagement, La Trobe University in conversation about implementing Australia's AI Ethics Principles.

    Tue 11 July
    1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
    Online
    Free
    Register now (Technology x Society Forum: Implementing Australia's AI Ethics Principles)
  • Research
    • Technology
    • Industry 4.0
    • Information Technology
    • Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

    Technology x Society Forum: A Socio-Technical Approach to Public Interest Technology

    This webinar will provide an introduction to socio-technical theory, as applied to Public Interest Technology (PIT), demonstrating the value of an emergent framework for advancing the design, development and implementation of PIT in a way that is human-centric and emphasises values as core to the PIT research agenda.

    Tue 5 April
    12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
    Online
    Free
    Register now (Technology x Society Forum: A Socio-Technical Approach to Public Interest Technology)

Our collaborating research centres

Discover our other research institutes

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Contact the Social Innovation 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 8180 or emailing sii@swinburne.edu.au.

Contact us