Research
CUSP tackles urgent sustainability challenges from climate change and energy transition to circular economy and green cities. Our researchers shape global initiatives like the IPCC and the UN, while delivering practical solutions that impact local communities.
CUSP’s research interests are broad and relevant, covering key areas such as Sustainable cities and urban regeneration, Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals, Circular economy and zero waste, Food Systems, Sustainability Leadership and social change. These themes of sustainability guide CUSP’s research, teaching and partnerships, both locally and internationally.
Collaborative research partners
PATREC (Planning and Transport Research Centre)
PATREC is a collaborative research center in Western Australia, involving leading experts and researchers from: The University of Western Australia; Curtin University; the Department of Transport; Main Roads Western Australia; the Western Australian Planning Commission; the Western Australian Local Government Association. PATREC conducts collaborative research and teaching in the areas of transport policy and planning, and urban and regional planning. Their work aims to provide evidence-based decision-making and insights into the complex ties between land-use and transport choices, informing innovative solutions for the future of cities.
https://patrec.org/
DevelopmentWA
DevelopmentWA is the State Government’s development agency, delivering major industrial, commercial, and residential projects across Western Australia. Operating under key state legislation, we bring together the expertise of LandCorp and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority to help shape a sustainable and prosperous future for the state. Our diverse portfolio includes transformative initiatives such as the Alkimos city centre, Elizabeth Quay, Yagan Square, the Scarborough Foreshore, and regional revitalisation projects from Broome to Albany.
https://developmentwa.com.au/
The Global South Nexus
The Global South Nexus (GSN) drives critical, innovative, and practice-based dialogue on sustainable development in the Global South. It promotes North–South collaboration and inclusive debate to address global development inequalities. By generating interdisciplinary, context-sensitive knowledge, GSN supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals and transformative approaches to planning, design, governance, and environmental management. While global frameworks like the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda set ambitious goals, turning them into local action remains challenging. GSN bridges this gap through mutual learning and cross-regional knowledge exchange.
https://www.globalsouth.nexus/
RACE for 2030
RACE for 2030 is an industry led cooperative research centre established in 2020 with $68.5M of Commonwealth funding, driving innovation for a secure, affordable, clean energy future. The research is organised in five programs: RACE for Business, RACE for Homes, RACE for Networks, RACE for EVs, RACE for Change (covering cross-sectoral issues). RACE’s research learnings will be driven into the market through our market transformation programs to deliver our targets of reducing energy costs, cutting carbon emissions and increasing customer load flexibility to allow increased penetration of renewables in the grid and increased reliability.
https://www.racefor2030.com.au/
Publications
CUSP has a long history of research and publications and they can all be found either here or via individual staff profiles.