Regenerative Housing Futures: Affordability, Sustainability and Stories of Change

About this project

Investigate sustainable housing solutions

If you are seeking to build a career in engineering & construction and are concerned about the energy performance of Australia's housing stock, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based Master of Research within the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management (SIRM), in partnership with Freerange Future.

Australia urgently needs to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. While effective solutions exist, uptake remains slow due to barriers that policymakers struggle to address. This research project explores the real-world experiences of households adopting energy-saving measures, from eco-home construction to retrofitting and behaviour change. By combining real-life case studies with systems modelling, the research will identify the key challenges and opportunities for sustainable housing solutions. The goal is to develop evidence-based strategies to inform policy and improve communication, ensuring that low-energy housing solutions are accessible, effective, and scalable.

What you’ll do

You will conduct interviews and surveys to document household-level energy-saving approaches, creating ‘stories of change’ that illustrate real-world transitions. 

Your research will use qualitative system dynamics modelling to analyse barriers and enablers for adopting sustainable housing solutions and develop actionable recommendations for policymakers, grounded in both research findings and best practices in communication for change. 

You will also engage with government and industry stakeholders to ensure the research has practical impact.

Where you’ll be based 

You will be based within the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management (SIRM), which undertakes research in physical infrastructure management and the sustainable management of assets. SIRM applies circular economy philosophy and carbon reduction solutions to ensure sustainable communities throughout the world.    

SIRM recognises that the challenge of moving to a more sustainable future requires an understanding of the complexity and interactions of human, natural, and built systems. We bring together diverse research expertise to address significant societal challenges at the interface of the natural and built environments at all scales. We offer clients the potential to address real problems using multidisciplinary teams. Our goal is to efficiently use resources to manage the natural and built environments sustainably.   

We are involved in research construction projects in both water and transport supporting liveable regions / regional economic growth.  We also undertake research in the maintenance aspect of assets (physical infrastructure management), sustainable management of assets in tactical asset management (interface between strategic and operational management), integrating the circular economy philosophy, and applying carbon reduction considerations. We work in ecology, environmental restoration, planning for liveable cities and regions, and building carbon-resilient regenerative communities.

You will join an active and well-connected research team working on the 'Living Lightly Locally for Regenerative Regions' project within the RACE for 2030 CRC. This research will operate at the intersection of sustainable housing, systems thinking, and policy development. The project is part of the broader 'Living Lightly Locally' research initiative supported by local and state government partners, providing direct engagement with real-world challenges. 

You will be based within UniSA STEM initially, transitioning to Adelaide University in 2026, where you will work within the ‘Sustainable Green Transition’ research theme. You will have access to expert supervisors, a supportive HDR cohort, and networking opportunities through the RACE for 2030 CRC. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a Master of Research. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• qualifications or substantial work experience in areas relating to sustainability, housing, social science, or energy;
• a strong interest in the research topic and anticipated outcomes.

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Sunday, 27 July, 2025.