Research

Early Start Research 

Early Start Research brings together experts from across disciplines to improve the lives of children, families and communities. Since 2014, we’ve tackled real-world challenges—from healthy development and digital childhoods to learning transitions and workforce wellbeing.

Our work is guided by the C.H.I.L.D. model, which captures the key areas of early development:

• C – Country, communities and cultures

• H – Healthy bodies and minds

• I – Interactions and relationships

• L – Learning, play and creativity

• D – Development and assessment

Through trusted partnerships, innovative research methods, and a strong focus on impact, we’re helping shape better futures for children and the systems that support them.

The institute is home to two major research groups:

• The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child: This is a multi-university initiative, headquartered at QUT, dedicated to ensuring children have positive and safe experiences in the digital world.

• ENHANCE (Evidence-based Healthy Activity and Nutrition for Children and Environments): This group is committed to creating healthy food and movement environments for children where they live, play, and learn.

NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence

• Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR) 
  A multi-institutional research collaboration involving RMIT, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Wollongong.
• Wiser Healthcare 
  A research collaboration involving The University of Sydney, Bond University, Monash University, the University of Wollongong, and international colleagues.

Faculty research centres

• Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space (ACCESS)
• Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values (ACHEEV)
• Centre for Colonial and Settler Studies (CASS)
• Centre for Health Psychology Practice and Research
• Centre for Occupational, Public and Environmental Research in Safety & Health (COPERSH)
• Future of Rights Centre (FoRC)
• WHO Collaborating Centre - Children's Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity

Groups

• Centre for Higher Education Research, Innovation and Impact (CHERII)
• Inclusive Community-Based Research Group (ICBRG)
• Interdisciplinary Discourse Analysis in Education, Arts and Social Sciences (IDEAS)
• Multimodal Imaging of Brain Function

Faculty research networks

• Animal Studies Research Network (ASRN)  
• Feminist Research Network (FRN)
• Narrative Practices Research Network (NPT)

Faculty research initiatives 

• Foodways
• Pedagogical Laboratory for Education