A new Queensland Centre for Social Science Innovation (QCSSI) is to be established with funding of $5 million  from the Queensland Government over the next five years matched collectively by The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, James Cook University and the Central Queensland University.

 

The QCSSI will be based at The University of Queensland with nodes at participating universities.

 

Premier Anna Bligh said she wanted Queensland to become a world leader in social science research, attracting national and international experts to undertake leading edge, applied social science.

 

“This Australian-first collaboration is about bringing together researchers and policy-makers so we are even better at rebuilding communities after disasters, addressing Indigenous disadvantage, and educating and protecting our children.

 

“Around 75 per cent of the Queensland Government budget is directed to social and human services, like education and health.

 

“Targeted, relevant research will ensure that the best use is made of this substantial financial investment, to improve quality of life for Queenslanders.”

 

Potential research projects for QCSSI’s first year include:

  • building individual and community resilience and improving effective governance in response to disasters
  • examining what works for improving Indigenous health and wellbeing, including a focus on infant and maternal health
  • research into the factors affecting educational achievement with the potential to investigate the link between school design, refurbishment and educational outcomes

 

Queensland Government agencies have already submitted around 30 initial research proposals for consideration in the Centre’s first Research Program for 2012.

 

In a Queensland first, QCSSI researchers will have access to anonymous data from the Office for Economic and Statistical Research under strict protocols, enabling new research opportunities through access to never before seen data sets.