About MDI
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) was established at the University of Melbourne in 2018 to drive interdisciplinary research that tackles the complex, systemic challenges experienced by people with disability in Australia and around the world.
Since then, MDI has grown into a national leader in disability and public policy research. We bring together people with disability, families, government, and community organisations to support research that delivers real‑world impact, shaping policy, improving practice, and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.
Our vision
To work in genuine partnership with people with disability, their families, communities, industry and government to help build a fairer, more inclusive society.
Our mission
We aim to strengthen MDI’s role as a leading public policy institute—expanding the evidence base that informs policy and improves practice. We strive to be the partner of choice for interdisciplinary, collaborative research focused on solutions to long‑standing and complex issues facing the disability community.
How we work
- We centre the knowledge, experience and agency of people with disability and their families.
- We bring researchers from diverse disciplines together with community partners.
- We build respectful collaborations that recognise and value everyone’s expertise.
- We work sustainably, ensuring people and organisations are supported and resourced.
- We create pathways for our work to influence policy and practice in Australia and beyond.
- We share our findings in accessible and inclusive ways.
- We use creative approaches to understand and measure the impact of our work.
Our approach
Our work is built around four interconnected pillars. These are not silos — progress in each depends on, and strengthens, the others.
Building the Evidence Base
MDI is a founding partner of the Disability Dialogue (Dialogue), a new model for shared problem-solving and decision-making within the disability community. Led by people with disability, the Dialogue creates a platform for collaboration, innovation, and community-driven solutions to longstanding challenges. MDI plays a central role in developing the evidence base that underpins these solutions, while the Dialogue's activities in turn inform and sharpen our research agenda.
As a public policy institute, we also closely monitor government policy and reform priorities, directing our efforts where the opportunity for real impact and influence is greatest.
Our priorities are shaped by two forces:
- lived experiences and ambitions of the disability community
- the reform opportunities presented by government
Fostering Collaboration
Our collaborations span both within the University and beyond it. As a virtual institute, trusted relationships are the foundation of everything we do - with the disability community, industry, government, and academic partners alike. Being genuinely engaged and responsive is not a strategy; it's how we work.
Building Capacity
We are committed to seeding and nurturing the next generation of disability researchers. We do this through:
- Annual seed funding grants, with dedicated streams for early career researchers
- Support for early career researchers, including PhD scholarships, a structured PhD Scholars Program, and the Graduate Research Support Fund
- The Disability Research Community of Practice, a space for connection, learning and collaboration across the field
Impact and Advocacy
Evidence and data should be at the heart of national policy and we work to make that a reality. Our goal is to ensure robust, co-produced research reaches the people with the power to drive change. Impact isn't something we consider at the end of our work. It begins with who we bring to the table, and how. We also know there is no single path to change, which is why we build a diverse range of activities into everything we do:
- Accessible, inclusive communications - plain language reports and summaries, fact sheets, infographics, and news content
- Knowledge translation and mobilisation - turning research into practical tools and resources for real-world use
- Policy submissions, reports and papers - contributing evidence directly to government and public debate
- Public events - stimulating discussion, debate and connection across sectors
- Partner advocacy support - amplifying the voices and efforts of our partners and the broader community
Strategic plan
Our strategic plan is grounded in the broader strategic framework of the University of Melbourne’s research impact strategy, Advancing Melbourne 2030. Aligning our work with this vision ensures that MDI contributes meaningfully to the University’s long‑term goals while driving positive change for people with disability in Australia and beyond.
If you would like to access these reports in an alternative format, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
Address
Ground Floor, Building 161
The University of Melbourne
161 Monash Rd, Parkville VIC 3010