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Our purpose

The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) was established in 1987 and has built a strong reputation for excellence in safety science research, research training and education, both professional and academic. MUARC is a part of a global university, and we are proud of our 37 year legacy of research, which continues to influence policy and practice to drive change and make a difference.

With a multidisciplinary team of more than 50 researchers and postgraduate students, MUARC’s distinctive strength lies in the multifaceted expertise of our people to conduct research and make it accessible to academics, government officials and the broader community.

MUARC is a beacon of excellence in safety science and injury prevention research and education. As a global leader in safety science and injury prevention, MUARC continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation. Guided by collaboration, curiosity, and a clear sense of purpose, we remain dedicated to building safer, healthier communities for all, and we are pleased to present the 2024 Annual Report with our highlights of these contributions.

Message from our Director

Professor Stuart Newstead, Director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre

I am pleased to present the 2024 Annual Report for the Monash University Accident Research Centre. The report highlights MUARC’s ongoing focus on excellence in research, research training and education in the injury prevention and safety science domains, leveraging the synergies between these activities to maximise the opportunities and benefits from its work.

"MUARC's research profile continues to excel with major projects being conducted across Australia and internationally"

Read the Annual Report

Research excellence

Facts and figures

The 2024 Annual Report underlines MUARC’s key objective of working to achieve real world impact in reducing the burden of injury globally, through providing a strong evidence base from which effective policy and practice can be developed. MUARC’s work aligns closely with the broader objectives of the Monash University Impact 2030 strategy, addressing the global challenges of climate change, geopolitical security and thriving communities. MUARC’s focus on injury prevention and safety science to address these challenges has become increasingly relevant.

Local and global concerns about worsening injury trends in a number of key areas including road transport and natural disasters saw demand for MUARC research and expertise grow strongly in 2024. Research income to the Centre was over $7 million in 2024, growth of over 30% compared to recent years. Of particular note was MUARC’s success in receiving five Category 2 National Road Safety Action Grants from the Commonwealth Government, valued at over $1.5 million, to be delivered over the next 2 years. Tender success for MUARC in over 70% of submissions also highlights the esteem in which our researchers and their broad experience are held.

MUARC’s road safety related research profile continues to excel with major projects being conducted across Australia and internationally, particularly in the areas of driving with dementia, automated enforcement evaluation and strategic modelling for road safety optimisation. Impact from this program has been evidenced through numerous mentions of MUARC in state and national road safety strategies and evidence from public inquiries, and implementation of policy including Australian mandates for autonomous emergency braking and acoustic vehicle alerting systems for electric vehicles.

MUARC in the media

  • Media hits

    1.3k

  • Audience reach

    1.3B

  • Worth of media exposure

    $16M

Student excellence

MUARC provides unparalleled opportunities for postgraduate students, graduate research students and experienced professionals to immerse themselves in an institute that has partnerships at the forefront of injury prevention and safety science.

Facts and figures

  • MUARC-enrolled PhD students

    19

  • Coursework research students

    21

  • Postgraduate Coursework units

    3

Foreword from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Professor Mike Ryan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), MUARC Steering Council Chair

MUARC is a transdisciplinary research institute with a reputation across Australia and globally for excellence in safety science and injury prevention research. Their work strongly aligns to the University’s commitment, through Impact 2030, to address the challenges of the age by leveraging its staff expertise and their local, national and international collaborations.

MUARC continues to contribute to societal-wellbeing through evidence-based approaches to improving human outcomes: enhancing community resilience to natural disasters; addressing behaviours on the road; and using data to inform pathways to reduced trauma.

Read the Annual Report

Acknowledgements

The foundations of MUARC’s success are built on the dedication and hard work of its staff, and we acknowledge the contribution each staff member has made to the success of the Centre.

MUARC is an organisation filled with people with an unwavering dedication to safety science and injury prevention, who share that knowledge both within academia, industry and the wider community. Their passion is not merely a professional obligation but a heartfelt commitment to effecting positive change.

The calibre of the staff and students drawn to MUARC by a common desire to contribute to work that makes a difference, provides us with a unique multidisciplinary team that embodies diversity in thought and expertise. Read about the achievements of our staff and students in 2024.

Thank you to our staff, students, emeriti, adjuncts, and affiliates who contributed to MUARC in 2024. We look forward to working together again in 2025.

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