Melbourne Disability Institute
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) is an interdisciplinary research institute that was established by the University of Melbourne in 2018 to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary and translational research program to improve the lives of people with disability.
Ultimately, the MDI research program aims to capitalise on national reforms and active partnerships with the disability sector to deliver evidence for transformation. The MDI research program is centred around providing much-needed evidence for the disability sector and broader community to address the complex problems facing people with disability, their families and carers.
The MDI research program is underpinned by four foundation principles: data; interdisciplinarity; experience-based co-production with people with lived experience of disability; and active partnerships. The MDI will facilitate research through seed funding, research translation funding and community-based research, in addition to leading several flagship projects in response to priority issues raised by the disability sector.
Vision
To transform the social and economic wellbeing and the health of people with disability through high-quality research, teaching and training, and knowledge translation.
Community Based Research Program
There is an increasing need for organisations to ensure that their programs and practices are informed by, if not grounded in, well-conducted, relevant, scientific research. The Melbourne Disability Institute’s Community-Based Research Scheme aims to meet the research needs of community organisations by providing research support and evaluation of innovative programs that are making a difference in the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.
ABOUT US
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MDI Staff
The Melbourne Disability Institute has a small team who coordinate our research and engagement activities.
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Executive Committee
The Committee is the key governing body for the Institute and consists of academics from law, public health, economics, education and the arts.
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Hallmark Disability Research Initiative
The Hallmark Disability Research Initiative was an interdisciplinary disability research hub at the University of Melbourne.
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Strategic Plan
The MDI Strategic Plan 2019-2021 is now available for download.
Connect with other researchers in a supportive environment to share ideas and receive assistance to develop your research capabilities.
At MDI we offer services that foster your development at every stage of your research career.
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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.
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PhD Student Network
The Melbourne Disability Institute has launched a peer driven network for PhD students in disability research.
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Co-research Program
MDI is committed to research being done in partnership with people with disability, and working collaboratively with communities and people with lived experience.
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Research Translation Tools
Conducting high-quality research is important, but it's also important to make that research accessible and relevant to those who can use it. Research translation is about bridging the gap between knowledge and action.
Funding and support
The MDI is committed to supporting disability research at the University of Melbourne and in the broader sector. Researchers and community organisations can apply for funding to support pilot projects, community-led projects, events and research translation.
Researchers applying for Fellowships or large grants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss ways in which the MDI can contribute to help strengthen applications. Contact Tessa de Vries at tessa.devries@unimelb.edu.au for more information.
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Seed funding
Seed funding to support research ideas and pilot projects that are likely to lead to direct outcomes or further funding.
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Community-based research
Community-based Research Scheme supports the evaluation and research of innovative ideas in the broader disability community.
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Research Translation
Funding and network support to research programs which have reached ‘critical mass’ of knowledge which would benefit from targeted knowledge translation.
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Event Support
Funding to support events that share disability research findings, exchange knowledge and bring people together.
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COVID-19 Research Fund
The Melbourne Disability Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Melbourne, has directed nearly $300,000 to fund 14 new projects designed to help support people with disabilities and their families and carers in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Seed Funding
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) is committed to facilitating disability research that is interdisciplinary and can demonstrate significant impact on the well-being of people with disability, their families and carers. By providing seed funding, the MDI seeks to encourage and support innovative ideas and interdisciplinary research collaborations.
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Community Based Research Scheme
Through the Community-based Research Scheme, the MDI seeks to encourage and support the evaluation and research of innovative ideas in the broader disability community, by linking community organisations to researchers or students who can help do the research or evaluation.
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Commissioned Research
The Melbourne Disability Institute's commissioned research projects are supported by government or disability organisations and help deliver consolidated information and evidence-based studies across a variety of focus areas.
The MDI is committed to building the capacity of researchers with an interest in disability, people with a disability who wish to be involved in research, and students. Opportunities for jobs, PhD scholarships and capacity building programs will be listed here as they arise. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date.
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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