(Program Leaders: Assoc Prof Barbara Pamphilon; Dr Rob Fitzgerald; Assoc Prof Christie Chang; Prof John Spriggs, Prof Barbara Chambers)

The Australian Institute for Sustainable Communities (AISC) was developed to meet the emerging needs for partnership research in regional community development locally, nationally and internationally. The Institute sees partnerships with regional and community groups and institutions as essential to achieve success in any project where community engagement is pivotal to its success. The Institue staff are leaders in participatory and capacity building methodologies associated with community development.

The aim of the Institute is to provide communities, government and the private sector with research, consultancy and professional development services which will contribute to sustainable social, cultural and economic development. Postgraduate students are encouraged to work as research associates in the Institute and to develop thesis topics from current projects.

Goals of the Institute

To assist governments, organisations, regional groups and communities:

• To build sustainable environmental, social, cultural and economic capacity through partnership in research and development;
• To identify needs and capacities in local contexts using processes which respect action learning and collaboration;
• To develop strategies for change in response to changing environmental, social, cultural and economic contexts;
• To build capacities and capabilities, including leadership; and
• To build professional networks that contribute to sustainable and cooperative endeavours in communities and in the region.