Enabling rapid research collaboration between industry, government and world-leading experts
Our global network of researchers works in transdisciplinary teams to support the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. We seek to facilitate collaboration between industry, government, academia and communities to drive a shared vision for transformational change. We focus on the greatest challenges with the aim of enhancing institutional regulations, processes and capabilities, and developing systems models to inform transition pathways and integration.
Industries in transition
Together we can facilitate the shift to a decarbonised energy system and circular economy.
Accelerating transitions
Infrastructure is currently involved in rapid transitions towards decarbonisation, circular economy, digitalisation and resilience. Our research focuses on understanding what is required and how we can accelerate progress towards these transitions.
How we are creating impact
Together with industry and government partners we are co-designing and delivering projects to create impact now and at the same time retaining the research excellence expected of a University in the Top 50 worldwide.
Transitioning infrastructure requires an understanding of the systems which form the industry, determining how we plan, design, build, operate and re-use or recycle infrastructure. Within these systems are the institutions and people whose decisions every day determine the future of infrastructure. Research in this theme seeks to develop greater knowledge of the systems, institutional capabilities and initiatives required and experience of individuals in industry transitions.
Some examples of these projects are below:
Featured Projects
Infrastructure CoLab
Co-designed by academics at UQ and industry partner Business Models Inc to support Australia’s infrastructure industry to overcome barriers to design and build circular and decarbonised infrastructure.
Hydrogen System Dynamics Modelling Tool
We have used a system dynamics model to create a representation of the hydrogen supply chains. Users can experiment with different supply chain combinations. Input your own data to explore footprints over time.
Research leads
Dr Cristyn Meath
Hub Director
Dr Cristyn Meath is the Hub Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub. Co-Founder of the Infrastructure CoLab, Executive Committee member of the Advance Timber Hub including being Theme Leader of the Planning for Change research theme. She is also a Senior Lecturer in the UQ Business School where she teaches Decision Making & Reporting in the Master of Business.
Cristyn also focuses her time on co-creating solutions to our most pressing and complex sustainability challenges with government and industry partners in Australia, Asia and Latin America and is also a member of the Partnerships for Infrastructure Disaster Risk Resilience and Climate Change panel.
Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Hub Deputy Director
Co-founder and Lead, Infrastructure CoLab
Senior Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and IT
Key researchers
Dr Sue McAvoy
Senior Research Fellow - System Dynamics Lead
Sue lectures the newly introduced Business Dynamics subject in the UQ Business School Master’s Program. Building on existing business strategy concepts, Business Dynamics uses the tools and principles of System Dynamics to analyse and understand a firm’s performance, and designs robust strategies to improve its performance through time.
Sue is also a Senior Research Fellow with the UQ Centre for the Business and Economics of Health.
Dr Tracy Martin
Research Fellow - Workforce Transition Lead
Tracy Martin is an Organisational Psychologist and Industry Fellow in the UQ Business School. She currently combines research and consulting with a focus on strategic change, board behaviour and a developing interest in the impact of technology change on the design of work for leaders and professionals. Recently she has taught courses in human resources, change management and leadership within the Business School. Tracy completed her PhD at UQ, examining how company boards consider issues about people during strategic change. This research was motivated by her 25+ years in the corporate sector, working in large multinational corporations mainly in organisational development and strategic HR roles. Her industry experience spans mining, chemicals manufacturing, professional services, engineering projects, information technology, media and commercial real estate.
Pablo Aranda Valenzuela
Senior Research Assistant - Water Infrastructure
Pablo is a law graduate from the University of Chile, as well as a graduate of the Master of Integrated Water Management (IWM) through Griffith University and The University of Queensland. He is currently a lecturer in Environmental Law and Regulation at the School of Engineering of the University of Chile. Pablo has years of professional and research experience spanning a range of policy and regulatory topics, including water, natural resources, infrastructure, renewable energy, and natural resource governance with a focus on community impact. A PhD candidate at The University of Queensland, he researches water governance, water justice, and integrated water management.
Catalina Espinosa Tovar
Catalina holds a business degree and a Master's in Corporate Social Responsibility. She is currently in her final year studying a Master´s in Environmental Management at The University of Queensland. With +10 years of experience in business management and capacity building for both industry and NGOs. Catalina specializes in developing and executing strategic business initiatives that drive significant outcomes in environmental conservation and sustainable development. She is interested in using behaviour-based interventions to promote sustainable transitions.
Gustavo Martinez Tello
Senior Research Assistant
Gustavo is a Civil Engineer with a Master's in Hydraulic Resources and Hydroinformatics. Gustavo is completing his Master´s in International Economics and Finance at UQ and has research experience in the decarbonization of the transport sector, waterborne electromobility, and port sustainability. Gustavo has spent more than 10 years in the public sector, working as a policymaker in the transport and infrastructure sectors, including ports and inland waterways transport. His industry experience spans engineering projects and consulting in geotechnics and hydraulics.
Agnes Toth-Peter
Senior Research Assistant - System Dynamics, Digitalisation and Circular Business Models
Agnes has a background in systems thinking and system dynamics and has been a research and teaching assistant at The University of Queensland for over three years. Agnes is currently undertaking her PhD in circular economy at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Specifically, Agnes is interested in looking at the benefits and opportunities of digitalisation and the way digital technologies can enable the implementation of circular economy principles and support this paradigm shift. Agnes is a graduate of Regent's University London, UK (Bachelor of International Business with French and Spanish - Honours First Class) and The University of Queensland (Master of Business - Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Social Impact and Sustainability).
Syvannah Wilson
Senior Research Assistant - Evaluating Transitions
Syvannah’s career in sustainability has predominantly explored carbon and climate change policy, finance mechanisms and investment opportunities. Her experience also spans legislating benefit sharing under REDD+, contributing to a Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and improving the sustainability performance of the fashion and events sectors. This led her to work with a variety of private sector and government entities as well as multiple United Nations agencies.
Co-Investigators
Ms Stephanie Wyeth
Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Queensland.
Professor Jonathan Corcoran
Professor, School of Environment, University of Queensland.
Dr Fred Fialho Teixeira
Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Queensland.
Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer
Senior Lecturer, School of Business, University of Queensland.
Dr David Lange
Associate Professor, School of Civil Engineering, University of Queensland.
Dr Sam MacAulay
Senior Lecturer, School of Business, University of Queensland.
Dr Ben Seligmann
Research Fellow, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland.
Global Co-Investigators
Dr Claudia Arcos Gonzalez
Assistant Professor, School of Business, University of Queensland.
Professor Andrew Davies
RM Phillips Freeman Chair in InnovationManagement, Business School, University of Sussex
Professor Gordon Wilmsmeier
Director of the Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL), Kühne Logistics University.
Professor Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues
Professor in Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Business School, Cardiff University.
Affiliates
Dr Ida Asadi Someh
Senior Lecturer, School of Business, University of Queensland.
Dr Ivano Bongiovanni
Lect. Infosec, Governance & Leaders, School of Business, University of Queensland.
Professor Peter Halley
Professor, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland.
Professor Mark Hickman
Professor & Chair of Transport Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, University of Queensland.
Associate Professor Tim Kastelle
Professor and Director of the Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, University of Queensland.
Professor Bronwyn Laycock
Professor, School of Engineering, University of Queensland.
Julia Read
Our industry partners
See more of our industry partners in the Infrastructure CoLab
Our research partners
Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Global Research Network
The SIRH has established a global network of researchers working in transdisciplinary teams to support the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Infrastructure transitions cross industry, discipline and country borders so we are building a network of experts to enable inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches to support industry and government partners with complex transition challenges. In addition, by combining our expertise we contribute to the forefront of academic knowledge creation at the intersection of multiple research fields.
Our partners
Join our network
If you’re a researcher wanting to join the network please reach out by emailing sirh@uq.edu.au
If you’re interested in finding out more about the network and how the researchers can assist you and your organisation you can register your interest by emailing sirh@uq.edu.au to be notified of updates and events.
RACQ Electric Vehicle Panel
Published on: 5 May 2023
Interested to find out more about electric vehicles? UQ’s Dr Cristyn Meath recently joined three of RACQ’s EV experts to answer questions of RACQ’s members and staff. Questions covered sustainability, charging, safety, driver experience and how to charge an EV if you live in an apartment.
Sustainable Infrastructure Design Course
Published on: 5 May 2023
The involvement of the UQ SIRH in the development of the new course, CIVL4525, is a testament to the centre’s commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure design. With a strong track record of research in this area and a range of industry partners, the UQ SIRH is well-positioned to provide valuable insights and industry examples for students.
Inaugural Health Innovation Precincts Summit
Published on: 27 April 2023
UQ’s Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub (SIRH) Director, Dr Cristyn Meath and an affiliate from UQ’s Professional Planner in Residence at the School of Architecture, Stephanie Wyeth joined leaders from industry, academia and government to share insights on sustainable hospitals at the Inaugural Health Innovation Precincts Summit.
Publications with important recommendations for tunnelling industry
Published on: 27 April 2023
Two publications, "Recommendations for the Application of ISO 19650 - Information Management Process and Responsibility Matrix - Vol 1" and "BIM in Tunnelling - Guideline for Bored Tunnels - Vol 1", were published at the World Tunnelling Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
APEC Investment Experts' Group Workshop
Published on: 27 April 2023
On 19th August 2022, Dr Cristyn Meath from the Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub (SIRH) presented to the APEC Investment Experts’ Group Workshop as part of the APEC Summit in Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Sustainable & Resilient Infrastructure
Published on: 27 April 2023
Establishing a Global Knowledge Network for Sustainable & Resilient Infrastructure is an ambitious objective that requires the collaboration of top universities across the globe. The University of Queensland (UQ), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI), and University College London (UCL) have come together to develop a research collaborative project that will address challenges facing the infrastructure sector.
Resilience of Underground Infrastructure
Published on: 27 April 2023
As our cities continue to grow and face the challenges of climate change and population increases, the need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure becomes more pressing. This project aims to explore how underground space development and digital engineering can contribute to creating resilient and liveable communities.
Innovation in Infrastructure: Projects, Ecologies and Ecosystems
21 March 2023 5:15pm–7:30pm
We are pleased to invite you to attend a presentation by UQ Visiting Scholar Professor Andy Davies, Sussex University, UK followed by a panel discussion and networking event, hosted by The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub.
Besix Webinar - Voices of Construction: How to build resilient infrastructure
23 November 2021 11:00am–12:00pm
What’s the most critical change we can make to decarbonise infrastructure? Watch the webinar by Besix featuring SIRH’s Director, Dr Cristyn Meath.
Contact Us
If you’re an academic or researcher wanting to get involved contact the SIRH Team at sirh@uq.edu.au.
Industry Fellow Program
Applications are invited from individuals and organisations wishing to collaborate with the Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub at The University of Queensland.
Visiting Academic Fellow Program
Applications are invited from researchers wishing to visit and collaborate with the Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub at The University of Queensland.