Network Overview
Launched in 2025, the Community Engaged Research Network is a initiative hosted by Melbourne Social Equity Institute. It provides opportunities for University of Melbourne researchers from all career stages and disciplines to come together to share knowledge about community engaged and coproductive approaches to research.
Quarterly gatherings include short informal presentations about current or recent projects followed by networking drinks and nibbles. If you would like to speak about your work at a future network meeting, please complete this registration form.
The network also complements and support existing and proposed initiatives and events such as the graduate and ECR led Community Engaged Research Community of Practice.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 27 May 2026
4.00pm – 5.30pm
Melbourne Law School Building
185 Pelham Street, Carlton
RSVP Here
Past Meetings
March 2026 Speakers
Dr Kath Sellick, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Work
Dr Natalie Sheard, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Melbourne Law School
Dr Sarah Austin, Senior Lecturer in Theatre (Contemporary), Victorian College of the Arts
Dr Nerkez Opacin, Senior Research Fellow in Nature and People, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Jen Hargrave, Honorary Research Fellow, School of Population and Global Health
December 2025 Speakers
Dominica Meade, PhD Candidate, School of Social and Political Sciences
Alan Bechaz, PhD Candidate, School of Languages and Linguistics
Professor Ruth Nettle, Rural Innovation Research Group, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Associate Professor Karen Block, Migration and Health Unit Head, Nossal Institute of Global Health &
Deputy Director, Melbourne Social Equity Institute
September 2025 Speakers
Dr Sarah Woodland, Senior Lecturer in Theatre, Victorian College of the Arts
Stefanie Dimov, Research Fellow and PhD Candidate, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Dr Dave McDonald, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, School of Social and Political Sciences
Dr Madhurima Das, Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Professor Eva Alisic, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
June 2025 Speakers
Rita Seumanutafa-Palala, Research Fellow, Oceania Institute
Yasodhara Ranasinghe, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
Dr Katie Lamb, Senior Research Fellow, Lived Experience Engagement, Safer Families Centre, RESTORE Centre for Research Excellence
Associate Professor Debra McDougall, School of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Co-Director, Oceania Institute
March 2025 Speakers
Professor Jo Barraket AM, Director, Melbourne Social Equity Institute
Natalie Calleja, PhD Candidate, Youth Research Collective Faculty of Education
Dr Nicholas Hill, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Arts
Dr Meg Lee, Research Assistant, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Puneet Sansanwal, Consumer Academic, Centre for Mental Health Nursing
To receive updates about network meet ups, subscribe to Melbourne Social Equity Institute's email list with a University of Melbourne address.
Related Resources
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Community Engaged and Coproductive Research Repository
The Community Engaged and Coproductive Research Repository brings together a curated selection of scholarly works on community engaged and coproductive research methodologies for social equity.
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Community Engaged Research Community of Practice
The Community Engaged Research Community of Practice (CER-CoP) is a student and early career researcher-led group auspiced by Melbourne Social Equity Institute.
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Community Fellows Program
Supporting research collaborations between community organisations and university-based researchers.