WEHI: Optimising research space at WEHI (2021-22)
Optimising research space at WEHI (2021-22)
This project will address the use of research space at WEHI. Optimising space usage is increasingly important because the institute continues to grow and is now facing constraints on new initiatives and the recruitment of new personnel.
Changing requirements and expectations around on-site vs off site working arrangements, individual vs team working environments and the balance of ‘wet’ vs ‘dry’ research are other factors driving re-assessment of our on-site space. WEHI prides itself on a positive and inclusive institutional culture that supports staff wellbeing, including students and professional support staff. We are mindful that any changes should enhance and not undermine institutional culture.
It is not only WEHI that faces such challenges, and it is intended that the deliverables of this project will contribute to the broader national and international research community by developing guidelines for sustainable future design.
View project outcomes poster here

WEHI is a leading independent medical research institute where the world’s brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer.
We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We know that we can achieve better things bringing together diverse teams who work together for 10, 20 or even 50 years to tackle the big issues.
We are brighter because of our collaborations with hospitals, universities, research institutes and industry, and the support of our community, including philanthropists, donors and bequestors, alumni and consumers.
WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally.
Our research
Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.
Cancer – understanding the basic processes that are disrupted to generate cancer cells, and how these can be targeted to treat disease
Immune health and infection – discovering how the body fights infection, and how errors in the immune system lead to disease
Development and healthy ageing – studying how the biological foundations laid down during gestation and childhood affect development, and how our longer life expectancy presents new challenges for our ageing population
New medicines and advanced technologies – a powerful hub for cutting-edge technologies underpinning biomedical discoveries and for the translation of these discoveries into new medicines and diagnostics.
Computational biology – developing and applying new tools to analyse the genomes of disease-causing parasites, as well as better understanding the immune system and genetic drivers of cancer.
Our students
WEHI offers postgraduate training as the Department of Medical Biology of The University of Melbourne, and is affiliated with the University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital.