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Centre for Regional Futures

The Centre for Regional Futures is an interdisciplinary research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities shaping regional, rural, and remote communities and economies.

Working across the social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts shaping regional Australia, and grounded in applied research approaches, our team collaborates with industry, government, and local communities to generate evidence-based solutions to complex, interconnected issues.

The Centre for Regional Futures takes an integrated approach to supporting positive regional futures, addressing the systems and conditions that underpin participation, liveability, workforce and skills capacity, and economic opportunity in regional Australia. This research strength is combined with deep expertise in place-based and regional approaches, enabling work that informs policy and practice and improves conditions for regional communities.

 

Themes

We work with communities, educators, industry, and government to strengthen education, skills, and workforce capability across regional and rural Australia. Our research explores equitable participation, lifelong learning, workforce development, and pathways that support strong and sustainable regional communities and economies.
We work with partners to understand the conditions that enable regions to be thriving, resilient, and future ready. Our research addresses infrastructure, connectivity, sustainability, climate adaptation, community wellbeing, safety, and the systems that support liveable and inclusive regional communities.
We explore how innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship can strengthen regional economies and create new opportunities. Our research examines productivity, digital trust, cybersecurity, data governance, and ethical innovation, helping regions harness emerging opportunities while navigating a rapidly changing world.
Our team works with industry, government, and local communities to develop and implement drought resilience plans to help regional, rural, and remote communities prepare for and manage future drought risks. 

Industry and collaborators