Accident, injury and trauma

Research that is preventing injuries, saving lives and building futures.

Baby sitting in a baby seat.

Leading researchers

Advancing the treatment of trauma

Improved treatment of traumatic injuries is urgently needed.

Interested in partnering with us?

Contact our Industry and Engagement team

Monash University is a global pioneer in research into accident, injury and trauma. Our strong history in this field has its roots in the Monash University Accident Research Centre (launched in 1987). MUARC rapidly expanded and has now combined with other university strengths to form the Monash Injury Research Institute (MIRI).

MIRI reflects Monash University's exceptionally broad-ranging capabilities in the prevention, management and rehabilitation of injury. Specialist multi-disciplinary teams at the Institute undertake targeted research, often in partnership with government, industry and community organisations, in areas such as transport safety, workplace safety, disaster resilience and more. All our researchers share the singular goal of preventing injuries, saving lives and building futures.

In Australia, injuries account for almost 10 per cent of both deaths and hospital admissions, and involve a disproportionate number of young people. In terms of years of potential life lost (up to age 75), injury outweighs cancer and heart disease combined by a factor of more than two. Monash University's expertise in developing innovative injury prevention strategies attracts international interest, and many of our researchers play leading roles in reducing accident and injury in Australia and around the world.

Infrastructure

A range of unique, state-of-the-art facilities are utilised by Monash injury and injury prevention researchers, including:

Monash University Clayton campus is located in the heart of the rapidly growing South East Melbourne Innovation Precinct.

Working with industry

Monash University has built ongoing and robust partnerships with industry in the field of accident, injury and trauma research. Through the Monash Injury Research Institute (MIRI), we collaborate with public and private sector organisations in Australia and around the world to prevent injuries, save lives and build futures. Our researchers undertake applied research, consultancy and training contracts, and provide independent advice to government and industry to support policy and practice.

With comprehensive expertise across injury types and settings, Monash researchers help partner organisations identify emerging safety and injury issues, determine and evaluate solutions, advise on safety strategies, and monitor safety progress. Many of the senior researchers at MIRI are active in national and international injury prevention agencies, and MIRI is recognised as one of the leading injury prevention research centres in the world.

As well as many international and national links, Monash University injury researchers have forged strong relationships with agencies around Australia and the world, including:

International

  • European Commission
  • Swedish National Road Administration
  • US IIHS
  • Multi-Trans NZ
  • World Bank - Global Road Safety Fund
  • Centre for Child Injury Prevention Studies in the Children's Hospital Philadelphia
  • OECD
  • NZ Transport
  • Peugeot Citroen
  • Opus International NZ

Australian Government

  • AustRoads
  • Australian Transport Safety Bureau
  • National Transport Commission
  • Australia Post
  • The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
  • Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO)
  • Civil Aviation Authority (CASA)

State Government

  • Victoria Police
  • VicRoads
  • Transport Accident Commission
  • Metropolitan Ambulance Service
  • WA Office of Road Safety
  • QLD Transport
  • Road Traffic Authority, NSW
  • State Transit NSW
  • The Department of Justice, VIC
  • The Department of Infrastructure, Energy & Resources, TAS
  • Main Roads, WA
  • The Department of Transport, VIC

Local Government

  • City of Port Phillip
  • City of Bendigo

Industry

  • Motor Accident Authority of NSW
  • Holden
  • Toyota
  • Polyem
  • Exxon-Mobil
  • Insurance Australia Ltd
  • Orica
  • NSW Royal Motoring Association
  • Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
  • CityLink
  • Sleep Diagnostics
  • ANCAP / NCRS
  • Colin Rees Group
  • Instinct & Reason Market Research Company
  • SERCO Consultants
  • Shell
  • OneSteel Newcastle
  • Yarra Trams
  • Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety (AIMSS)
  • K&S Freighters Pty Ltd

Other

  • Caul GMC Caulfield Community Health Service
  • Knox Private Hospital

Contributing capabilities

  • Violence and suicide prevention
  • Transport safety
  • Home, sport and leisure activity
  • Workplace safety
  • Patient safety
  • Injury outcomes
  • Disaster resilience