Global Change Institute

Across our research community, UQ is working to address global challenges such as decarbonisation, creating healthier communities, and developing enabling technologies to support innovation for a better world.

The agriculture sector is significant to Australia’s national economy and is worth $70 billion annually with around $10 billion in Queensland. Hosted at UQ at the GCI, the Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre (ZNE-Ag CRC) aims to catalyse industry, community and government action to achieve Zero Net Emissions from agriculture from 2040, and below zero net emissions by 2050.

Our network of researchers across UQ's faculties and institutes are combining diverse capabilities to explore, understand and solve the energy transition challenges of a changing world. Hosted at GCI, the UQ Energy Transitions Network is a local, national and international network of researchers, industry and government representatives committed to navigating the energy transition.

Cities around the world are grappling with transitions towards increased environmental sustainability, improved liveability and enhanced social equity. With expertise in urban planning, sustainable development and materials innovation, UQ researchers are investigating ways to create resilient, accessible and liveable urban settings.

From heavy industry to high tech products, our researchers are at the forefront of new manufacturing ideas, processes and techniques. Advanced manufacturing is a key focus at UQ, with our experts driving the next wave of innovation through the development of advanced materials, including composites and smart materials, additive manufacturing, 3D printing of medical devices, mRNA manufacturing and biomedical research.

UQ researchers work closely with government and industry to drive health and biomedical innovations that create healthier communities locally and around the world. Our health and biomedical partnerships blend the best of science, engineering and human understanding to advance human health.

The effects of climate change are being felt across industries, environments and communities. The breadth of research at UQ means we’re at the forefront of developing solutions for creating more resilient environments and communities.

Traditional models of healthcare delivery are no longer sustainable. Digital technologies are an opportunity to respond to this problem by enabling digital health data driven improvements in health care and management.

Technology and digital transformation are altering how and where we work; promoting hybrid work, teleworking, involuntary working from home, and blurring boundaries between home and office.