Research
We aim to develop high-quality, high-impact solutions to environmental and land management challenges. We work across disciplines and scales, and across urban, rural and wild land environments.
We focus on impact, working in research partnerships in industry, government and community to implement solutions. Our graduate research program provides opportunities for high-quality training and engagement with partners.
Research themes
Research groups
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Biodiversity Dynamics Research Group (biodynamos)
Undertaking research on plant evolution and global change, fire management, animal ecology and conservation decision making.
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Bushfire Behaviour and Management
Understanding and predicting fire behaviour and the impact on human and environmental features in the landscape, with the goal of better quantifying fire risk decisions.
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Ecophysiology
Interactions of plants with their environment and the processes that control the functioning of ecosystems in urban and natural environments.
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Environmental Social Science
Understanding how people relate to environments, ecosystems and non-human species, and how this knowledge can support more sustainable forests and cities.
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Fire Ecology and Biodiversity
How fire causes patterns in the landscape, and how plants and animals respond to these patterns.
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Forest and Water
Ecohydrology, evapotranspiration and streamflow dynamics, sediment dynamics and geomorphology, catchment evolution, with a particular interest in the hydrologic effects of fire.
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Forest Carbon
Improving knowledge of forest carbon stores and underlying ecosystem processes, including interactions with other forest values (water, biodiversity), and impacts of changing fire and climate regimes.
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Forest Dynamics
Understanding how native forests develop, how they respond to disturbances and climate, and how this knowledge can inform better forest management.
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Forest Ecology and Silviculture
How native forests develop, how they change over time, how they respond to disturbances and climate, and how this knowledge can inform better forest management.
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Forest Molecular Biology and Genetics
Meristem differentiation and pattern formation in the vascular cambium and genetic diversity in relation to wood formation and environmental stress tolerance.
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Green Infrastructure Research Group (GIRG)
Creating and embedding knowledge and technologies in smart design, construction and maintenance of green spaces, trees, parks, rain gardens, green roofs and facades throughout the urban landscape.
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Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group
Environmental decision making, ecosystem management and conservation biology, emphasising the careful and thoughtful use of quantitative methods and models that underpin ecological inquiry.
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Sustainable and Renewable Forest Products
Creating knowledge and building capability in the innovative uses of sustainably-managed timber resources for high-performance timber products.
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Tree Biotechnology
Utilising trees for the production of valuable natural products such as terpenes and flavonoids.
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Urban Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation (UrBEC)
Understanding the ecology of urban environments and how this can be applied for improved conservation management in cities.
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Waterway Ecosystem Research Group (WERG)
Interactions between landscapes and waterways and development of tools for achieving healthy streams and rivers in urban and rural landscapes.
Research partnerships
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Integrated Forest Ecosystem Research (iFER)
A research initiative between the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences and the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), which aims to enhance the evidence base for managing the impacts of fire, climate and management regimes on multiple forest values in Victoria’s forest ecosystems now and into the future.
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Melbourne Waterway Research-Practice Partnership
Acollaboration between Melbourne Water and the University of Melbourne to conduct and apply research to improve Melbourne’s waterways.
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National University of Laos
Collaborative projects with the Faculty of Forestry at the National University of Laos to increase value from plantation-grown wood products and support policies to improve the environmental, economic and social outcomes from plantations.
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Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub
Taking a holistic view on the sustainability and liveability of urban environments, producing the evidence base and collaborative partnerships to deliver better cities.
Infrastructure and facilities
Our research is supported by excellent research infrastructure and facilities, on campus or in the field. Some of our facilities are directly linked with national and international research initiatives and accessible to the wider scientific community.
More about our infrastructure and facilities
PhDs and Masters by research
Start your research career here with a graduate research course.