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
    • Research Impact

    Achieving Social Connection & Community Resilience: Joining the dots between policy, practice, research, and community

    The event presents the latest evidence from the Australian Research Council funded project ‘Activating Social Connection’, with a keynote from Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP. Speakers who are leaders in their fields will address practice and policy questions raised in the research and offer constructive, feasible actions for improvement.

    Tue 6 June
    9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
    Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre, South Morang or Online
    $77 (incl GST)
    Register now (Achieving Social Connection & Community Resilience: Joining the dots between policy, practice, research, and community )
  • Research
    • Technology

    What's the value of voice?

    In this discussion, US-based Fulbright Scholar Valerie Jones will share her research exploring how voice-powered virtual assistants such as Google’s Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa might provide new opportunities for new ways of feeling connected, focusing on ageing adults. 

    Wed 5 April
    10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    Online
    Free
    Register now (What's the value of voice?)
  • Research

    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.

    Fri 9 September
    10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
    Online
    Free
    Register now (Kinship care: what's working, what isn't, and what's next?)

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