Institutes, academies and centres
Our institutes, academies and centres seek to understand, provide innovative solutions to, and influence key issues of our time. Discover how our public policy activities, community engagement programs, and other initiatives benefit a wide cross-section of society – in Australia and abroad.
Strong ties to strengthen society
Universities exist to serve. By building strong networks and engaging with the community in our work, our impact can be real – and lasting.
Our mission
Our academies, centres and institutes work within the Catholic intellectual tradition – dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person, and the common good. Our staff live this mission daily as they strive to make an impact, for good.
Community engagement
As a university of service, we’re committed to making an impact through ongoing community engagement and volunteering opportunities. Our academies, institutes and centres work with partners to apply innovative solutions to issues affecting communities.
Embrace for impact
Centres and institutes
ACU Centre for Liturgy
We provide specialist expertise, teaching, research and formation in liturgical studies, sacramental theology and the sacred arts. We offer formative education for parish ministers through to higher degree research students.
Visit the centreThe Golding Centre
The Golding Centre for Women’s History, Theology and Spirituality provides a sound academic response to the desire and need of women in the Australian Catholic Church to recover their history, theology and spirituality.
Visit the centreInstitute of Child Protection Studies
We aim to enhance the outcomes for children, young people and families. Our work promotes children’s participation, strengthens service systems, informs practice and supports child-safe communities.
Visit the centrePlunkett Centre for Ethics
We study ethical issues in healthcare and biomedical research. Our centre promotes the values of compassion and fellowship, intellectual and professional excellence, and fairness and justice.
Visit the centrePM Glynn Institute
The PM Glynn Institute provides the Catholic community with a standing capacity to analyse public policy issues of concern, not only to the church but also to the wider Australian community.
Visit the centreQueensland Bioethics Centre
We collaborate with the Archdiocese of Brisbane to conduct high-quality research, education and consultancy in the area of bioethics. Through our work, we engage with communities locally and internationally.
Visit the centreOur Lives Project
The Our Lives Project is an ongoing research study that follows a large cohort of young Queenslanders from adolescence into adulthood. We aim to empirically investigate how young people think about their future and how they master their trajectories in a world of rapid change and uncertainty.
Learn moreFaculty research
Nursing Research Institute
Our research is focused on implementing evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes and health systems. The Institute is a collaboration between ACU and St Vincent’s Health Australia in Sydney.
Visit the instituteNursing Research and Practice Development Centre (NRPDC)
Our research priorities are embedded within the NRPDC Strategic Plan 2021 – 2024, which is agreed jointly between TPCH and ACU. The NRPDC Strategic Plan performance indicators are consistent with key objectives identified in the Metro North Hospital and Health Service Strategic Plan (2020 – 2024), as well as ACU’s Research Indicators.
Visit the centreResearch institutes
Our research institutes collaborate with strategic university and industry partners, at home and abroad. This extensive research network contributes to our research excellence in our priority areas of education, health, and theology and philosophy.
Explore researchNetworks, hubs and academies
Inter-religious Dialogue Network
Our network was inspired by the vision of Vatican II. We promote inter-religious dialogue, mutual understanding and respect through research, teaching and community engagement.
Visit the networkLa Salle Academy
Our aim is to develop and deliver quality teaching and research programs realising the aspirations of the new evangelisation. We train teachers and leaders with the skills to bring faith and life into dialogue.
Visit the academySiMMERR Act
We work with schools and communities to improve educational outcomes for students in the areas of science, ICT and mathematics. Our research hub has a specific focus on children in rural and regional schools.
Visit the hubYou might also like
Collaborate Plus
Our business incubator offers co-working spaces, resources, knowledge, research and networking events for start-ups and small businesses.
Grow nowExecutive education
Take your leadership team to the next level with a customised short course, professional development program or Executive MBA.
Get startedOur partnerships
We collaborate with industry, community, government and education partners to deliver knowledge and ideas with real-world impact
Collaborate nowHow everything fits together
Understand ACU’s organisational structure and learn more about our faculties, research, staff and administrative divisions.
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