Jul 15 2008
Australia's leading research university, the University of Sydney, launches a new research group which will focus on some of the world's most urgent issues, on Tuesday 15 July 2008.
The new Institute for Sustainable Solutions will be a focal point for outstanding research on issues such as climate change, renewable energy, population growth, health, food and energy security, providing new ways of thinking about solutions.
Bringing together some of the world's leading thinkers in these areas, the Institute for Sustainable Solutions will include experts already working at the University of Sydney, as well as attract new researchers in these disciplines.
"There has never been a more important time to tackle the big issues and find answers to the tough questions," said Professor Merlin Crossley, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), at the University of Sydney.
"The Institute for Sustainable Solutions will make a significant contribution to the challenges of sustainability, by bringing together disparate disciplines to tackle these complex problems and devise new multi-dimensional solutions."
Funded by a multi-million dollar endowment from the University of Sydney and philanthropic donations, the Institute is well placed to utilise the strong and highly sophisticated research capacity at the University of Sydney.
"Harnessing the intellect, imagination and infrastructure available across the University of Sydney, the Institute for Sustainable Solutions will provide for greater coordination and communication between research groups.
"Using a range of approaches, from cutting edge technology to sophisticated economic analysis and policy research frameworks, the Institute will focus on four main research themes: energy, environment, development and health."
The launch event on 15 July starts at 1.30pm with talks by University of Sydney experts in the four research areas of the Institute: Energy by Professor Brian Haynes; Environment by Professor Mark Adams; Productivity and Development by Professor Alan Dupont; and Health by Associate Professor Ruth Colagiuri.
At 3pm a debate on sustainability, adjudicated by Adam Spencer, follows the academic talks, with a free public lecture in the evening by Professor Jeffrey D Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University - one of the leading international voices for combining economic development with environmental sustainability.