Major research projects are at the core of the Sydney Policy Lab’s work, taking on complex challenges like transforming outside schools hours care, reinvigorating civic life on campus and championing Australia's relational economy. Each project is led by an Academic Chair from the University of Sydney, involves collaborators from across faculties and external partners and is supported by Lab staff. 

The Lab knows the best policies are made when people affected are involved from the start.

We are lucky to collaborate with community members from all walks of life on the issues that matter to them most. Your questions and big ideas drive our work.

Breakthroughs on complex policy challenges happen when researchers build understanding and relationships across disciplinary lines. The Lab nurtures these connections through nodes.

Each of the Lab's seven nodes is a group of academics and community members with a shared interest in a specific public policy area or methodology that can transform lives. They are convened by two or more University of Sydney researchers who are joined by early- and mid-career researchers as founding members.

• Adaptive policy systems
•  Harnessing arts and cultural practices to transform health and care
•  Innovation and commercialisation
•  International education
•  Justice collaboration
•  Social policy and the root causes of health inequality
•  Wellbeing of teachers and leaders in schools

With Lab support and seed funding, node members share existing work, create space for collaboration and nurture future full-scale Lab research projects. For academics, nodes are an opportunity for leadership, connection with peers and access to the benefits of Lab membership.