Following a four-week consultation period with staff and the Monash Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Monash University will transition MSDI from a standalone institute, realigning and continuing its programs and centre operations to relevant faculties or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) portfolio from 1 January 2026. This change will ensure long-term sustainability and stronger alignment with Monash's research and education model.
Monash is home to 41 institutes, centres, hubs and initiatives (33 outside MSDI and eight inside MSDI) advancing sustainability and climate change research across the University; MSDI is currently the only institute focused on climate change and sustainability operating outside the Monash faculty structure.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Senior Vice-President Professor Robyn Ward AM, said this transition will strengthen the University's long-standing commitment to sustainability and climate action by enhancing university-wide collaboration and the scalability of education programs.
"Sustainability capability is deeply embedded across the University, and we look forward to the opportunity to strengthen this further through the transition," Professor Ward said.
As a direct result of the feedback received during the consultation process, Monash is making an additional commitment to invest $1 million over five years to activate University-wide sustainability and climate research. This funding will support the immediate adoption of a proposal made during the consultation process to establish a co-designed Monash Climate Change and Sustainability Network. This network will be co-designed by expert staff and faculties and co-led by Professors Rob Raven, Katya Pas and Mike Ryan in 2026 to maintain – and strengthen – Monash's interdisciplinary sustainability research and partnerships. The first meeting of this group will occur in December 2025.
Monash has a deep and long-standing commitment to sustainability and climate change research, education and action, as demonstrated through our Impact 2030 strategy.
Over the past 20 years, Monash has led $850 million in sustainability and climate change research, driving real-world solutions for a more sustainable planet. Monash is now home to 41 institutes, centres, hubs and initiatives engaged in sustainability and climate change research and education across every faculty, including major interdisciplinary hubs such as the Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future program, Monash Energy Institute, Climate Change Communication Research Hub, and the Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling.
MSDI's transition ensures its aspirations and priorities can continue to be met by embedding sustainability more deeply across the University, strengthening collaboration and securing its important work with no job losses or impact on current fixed-term staff contracts.
While the MSDI name will be phased out, its impact and legacy will continue through its research initiatives, embedded within the faculties.
