Fostering Research and Innovation in Local Government

Calling all NSW Councils! Do you have an innovative initiative or interest in supporting research with impact in your local government area?

Local Government NSW has recently launched a Research and Innovation Fund to support new areas of research, policy development and innovation for the advancement of local government in New South Wales.

The initiative is providing seed funding for projects that aims to fill gaps in evidence base, explore emerging issues, promote informed debate and discussion, and encourage the development of research partnerships between councils, industry and university.

What are the challenges and opportunities for your council? 

Local government organisations are invited to submit proposals for potential research projects that will benefit local councils and communities, and advance local government practice. Projects can apply to any areas of council activities and interests.

Have an innovative idea or proposal?

The UTS Centre for Local Government invites you to discuss potential research projects and ideas, research approaches, and opportunities for collaboration with us as to help shape your council’s LGNSW Research and Innovation Fund proposal. 

The UTS Centre for Local Government is Australia’s leading centre for local government research, teaching and specialist consulting services, located within the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney.

We are focused on applied social, behavioural and academic research, policy advisory, graduate education and professional development training, with a strong applied focus in our research and capacity building activities across local government.

In operation since 1991, and recently building on five years’ consortium work as the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG), the Centre is now the largest of its kind in Australia, working with councils across Australia, and internationally.

Our researchers and practitioners are committed to enabling world-class local government to meet the emerging challenges of 21st century Australia, with research strengths in:

• Local Government Finance
• Service Delivery Reviews
• Workforce Planning
• Leadership and capacity building
• Local and Regional Economic Development 
• Social & Community Engagement
• Strategic Planning

Learn more about our research strengths and related case studies:

(PDF, 3.5 MB)

We invite you contact Sophi Bruce at sophi.bruce@uts.edu.au on (02) 9514 7867 at the UTS Centre for Local Government to discuss potential research projects and ideas, research approaches, and opportunities for collaboration with us to help shape your council’s LGNSW Research and Innovation Fund proposal.