Melbourne Disability Institute
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) brings together researchers across all disciplines and faculties at the University of Melbourne to stimulate creative thinking, fresh perspectives and innovative solutions and address the issues important to people with disability and their families. We deliver a collaborative and inclusive disability research program, led by and with people with disability, to build evidence for successful policy and practice.
Research with impact
Disability Research Hubs
We're partnering across the University to set up disability focused research hubs to support interdisciplinary collaborations and build research capacity.
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Our Research Program
We are supporting the next generation of researchers through seed and other funding opportunities, forging new University partnerships and breaking new ground in disability centred and led research.
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Statements and Policy Submissions
In areas as diverse as housing, employment, education, the NDIS and health equity, we are working hard to ensure data and evidence are part of the national policy debate.
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Our Team
The Melbourne Disability Institute has a small team of academics who steer the research direction and commission projects and a team of professional staff who coordinate research and engagement activities.
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Executive Committee
The Committee is the key governing body for the Melbourne Disability Institute and consists of academics from law, public health, economics, education and the arts.
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Strategic Plan and Annual Reports
The MDI Strategic Plan 2019-2021 is available for download. We are in the process of updating the strategic plan to reflect current and future priorities and direction.
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Address
Ground Floor, Building 161
The University of Melbourne
161 Monash Rd, Parkville VIC 3010
Seed Funded Projects
Each year the Melbourne Disability Institute invites proposals for interdisciplinary and collaborative disability research projects that are driven by the priorities of people with disability.
Collaborative Projects
The Melbourne Disability Institute produces collaborative research with a range of community and government partners that actively influences policy and practice.
Community-Based Research Projects
The Community-Based Research Program, which ran from 2018-2022, supported the evaluation and research needs of community organisations through small projects in collaboration with university-based researchers.
Please email us at md-i@unimelb.edu.au if you would like to request a report in a different format. Thank you.
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) is a regular contributor to public policy development in areas that impact on people with disability and their families and carers more broadly. MDI engages in policy discussion and analysis at global, national, and regional levels through submissions to governments and multilateral organisations in response to inquiries, consultation papers, thematic studies, reviews, and Royal Commissions, underpinned by rigorous research.
This section provides access to presentations, statements and policy submissions made by MDI on key public policy issues and in many cases have been prepared in collaboration with the relevant faculties and functional units across the University.
Interdisciplinary Disability Research Seed Funding
The Melbourne Disability Institute invites proposals for interdisciplinary, community-engaged and innovative research projects. Applicants can apply for up to $35,000. Applications must be led by a University of Melbourne academic.
Graduate Student Research Support Funds
The Melbourne Disability Institute Research Support Fund supports graduate students undertaking inclusive disability research. Students may apply for a grant of up to $3,000 to help support collaborative, co-designed or co-produced research conducted with people with disability and their representative organisations.
Disability Research Community of Practice
The Melbourne Disability Institute invites researchers from across the University of Melbourne to join a Community of Practice focused on Disability Research.
PhD Scholarships and Disability Research Fellowships
Each year the Melbourne Disability Institute offers PhD Scholarships and Fellowships to researchers interested in joining a community of academics and experts working together at the University to strenthen the evidence base and inform future disability research, policy and practice.
Media
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ONEINFIVE Podcast
The podcast gives voice to people with disability and asks about their experiences with employment, housing, the law, supporting families and early intervention.
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In the News
The latest news and happenings from the Melbourne Disability Institute.
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MDI Newsletters
Access the archive of newsletters from the Melbourne Disability Institute