Centres, institutes, and chairs
Victoria University of Wellington has many research centres, institutes, and professorial research chairs working on collaborative and specialised research.
Our research centres are made up of research staff within schools and often include academics from other disciplines and faculties. Many have a national or international focus and are linked with several other organisations and universities.
View all research centres, institutes, and chairs
Browse our featured research centres
Antarctic Research Centre
The Centre provides world-leading research on how the Antarctic is responding to climate change and the consequences, both globally and for New Zealand.
Ferrier Research Institute
Te Kāuru—Ferrier Research Institute is a world-class team of experts tackling applied chemistry problems in health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.
Robinson Research Institute
The multidisciplinary Paihau—Robinson Research Institute melds innovative engineering and applied physics to build advanced technologies.
He Whenua Taurikura
Te Whenua Taurikura is an independent national centre of research excellence which supports participatory approaches preventing terrorism and violent extremism.
Centre for Data Science and AI
The Centre brings together expertise and innovation from the schools of Engineering and Computer Science, and Mathematics and Statistics.
Te Hau Kori—the Centre for Physical Activity and Wellbeing
We aim to lead the delivery of policy- and practice-relevant research and the development of workforce capability for promoting physical activity in Aotearoa.
Centre for Biodiscovery
The Centre’s research aims to enhance health and wellbeing through the discovery and development of sustainable, nature-inspired products and processes.
Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative Justice
The Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative Justice provides a focus for collaborative research and teaching on restorative justice theories, policies and practices.
Health Services Research Centre
The Health Services Research Centre focuses on the study of the health and disability needs of communities and the services provided to them.
Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change
Research by this Chair focuses on the economic impacts of natural disasters and climate change, and how these impacts can be mitigated and better managed.
Centre for Strategic Studies
The Centre for Strategic Studies is central to research and public dialogue on strategic and security issues in New Zealand.
National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa
The National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of our nation's women and children.
MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
The MacDiarmid Institute is a network of top New Zealand materials scientists who push the frontiers of materials science through research and innovation.
New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre
The Centre promotes knowledge and understanding of contemporary China in New Zealand through research, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Stout Research Centre
The Stout Research Centre was established to encourage and coordinate academic research and understanding of New Zealand society, history and culture.