The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment was established in 2011 as part of a bold strategy to dramatically increase the quality, visibility, and impact of Western Sydney University’s research outputs. The Institute’s leadership team has developed a culture that supports research excellence and innovation through collaboration with colleagues at Western Sydney University, as well as nationally and internationally.

Our fundamental and applied research pushes the boundaries of knowledge, while providing innovative solutions for protecting the environment, preserving biodiversity, ensuring food security, and the sustainable use of natural resources. 

The Institute’s researchers are recognised internationally by peers as among the best in their field. The Institute’s reputation is built on the outstanding record of publications in high impact journals, income generated from prestigious granting agencies such as the Australian Research Council, and indicators of prestige including Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers and elected Australian Academy of Science Fellows.

Our researchers are working in interdisciplinary teams across three themes.

1. Soil Biology and Genomics: Researchers in our Soil Biology and Genomics theme are performing novel techniques such as genomics to identify the organisms present in soil, the functions they perform, and their underpinning the role in the provision of soil-based ecosystem services such as climate abatement. The outcomes of this research ensures future food security and protection of the environment.
2. Plants, Animals and Interactions: Researchers in our Plants, Animals and Interactions theme are utilising laboratory and field-based facilities to discover how these complex systems function from the genomic and biochemical through to organismal and ecosystem levels. The outcomes of this research enable prediction and management of ecosystem functions and services across different types of landscapes, including natural woodlands, forest plantations and agricultural systems.
3. Ecosystem Function and Integration: Researchers in our Ecosystem Function and Integration theme are undertaking a wide range of experimental platforms and approaches, as well as integrative modelling techniques, to determine how Australia’s agricultural, and native, plant species, ecosystems and landscapes are responding to climate warming, rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations, altered rainfall patterns and fire regimes, as well as land use and management. The outcomes of this research advances our knowledge about the impacts of global change and environment, thereby providing critical science-based information to land managers and policy makers.

For further details about the important research being undertaken at the HIE, please visit our website.