About MSI

• The sustainability challenge
• Core functions
• Structure & governance
• Annual activity reports

The Monash Sustainability Institute (MSI) is a multi-disciplinary, cross-faculty institute that delivers solutions to key climate change and sustainability challenges through research, education and action.

The Sustainability Challenge

The most common way to define sustainability is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Sustainability aims for a balance between the principles of environmental protection, social justice, economic well-being and diversity.

The global sustainability challenges of the twenty-first century pay no heed to the boundaries between academic disciplines, or between universities, government and the community. To meet these challenges, MSI promotes creative interdisciplinary engagement and new forms of collaboration and inquiry that encompass environmental, social and economic dimensions and that engage all relevant stakeholders.

Core Functions

The core functions of MSI are:

1. Research: MSI coordinates world-class interdisciplinary research to find new solutions to today's climate change and sustainability challenges.
2. Education: MSI educates individuals and institutions in sustainability best-practice.
3. Action: MSI facilitates action by individuals and organisations to embed sustainability into their future goals and present activities.
4. Gateway to sustainability at Monash: MSI acts as a gateway to the extensive and varied expertise in sustainability research, education and practice across Monash faculties and research institutes.

Structure & Governance

MSI sits directly under the Monash Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and does not belong to any faculty, although it has many affiliated and project staff based at other faculties. The Directorship of MSI is provided by the Monash Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and the MSI Chairman.

Annual Activity Reports

These reports summarise our annual activities. The inaugral 2010 report can be downloaded from our Publications page.