Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining

About the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining

The Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) is committed to improving the social performance of the global extractive industries.

We are the world’s largest university-based, industry-engaged group of social researchers dedicated to examining social and community issues related to resource extraction.

Through independent research, teaching, and multi-stakeholder dialogue processes, we help to resolve some of the most pressing social and political challenges surrounding resource extraction, including land use competition, business and human rights, mining-related conflict, resettlement and displacement, cultural heritage, governance, and geopolitics.

We deliver education through higher degrees by research (HDR) and are one of the few centres in the world that offer public and bespoke professional development courses for people engaged in the social aspects of the extractive industries.

As part of a multidisciplinary research institute, the team also contribute to broad based projects to deliver holistic and integrated solutions for key sustainability challenges.

CSRM works closely with multi-stakeholder groups to:

  • Meaningfully engage about the risks, costs, and benefits of resource extraction.
  • Improve resource governance across the extractive supply chain.
  • Protect and respect human rights and encourage due diligence.
  • Achieve just and fair outcomes in resource and energy-related transitions.

We achieve this by:

  • Undertaking cutting-edge research.
  • Conducting policy analysis.
  • Co-designing and conducting field studies with local stakeholders.
  • Providing teaching, training, and professional development.
  • Convening and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue forums.

Research highlights

World leading research Since 2001, our publications have been cited 8856 times – an average of 31.6 citations per publication. *

Multidisciplinary The Centre publishes an outstanding 26 subject areas including Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Energy, Economics, Business, Earth Sciences and Engineering

Growing impact – In 2023, the Centre’s Scopus-indexed publications received 1375 citations, the highest number of annual citations since the Centre’s was established in 2001.

*Scopus combines an expertly curated abstract and citation database with enriched data and linked scholarly literature across a wide variety of disciplines.

Research expertise

Our multi-disciplinary orientation, our position within UQ, and our ability to conduct leading edge social science research, sets us apart.

See areas of expertise

Publications

CSRM publications and reports are publicly available to access on an external server.

Access publications and reports

Collaborative research

CSRM leads and participates in multi-party, industry, and university collaborations to build knowledge for practical application.

See collaborative research

CSRM’s short courses and masterclasses offer those engaged with the resources sector the opportunity to learn alongside peers and hear from experts in the field. They focus on specialised topics and connect participants with the latest research and best practice to increase knowledge and skills.

We also work with individual companies, government and NGOs to design customised teaching and training programs to fit with organisational goals.

For enquiries about professional development or custom courses, email Patricia Llort: p.llort@uq.edu.au

See courses on social responsibility in the resources sector

Study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with CSRM. Propose your own research project with a supervisor or find an available research project with a scholarship. 

For more information and enquiries about studying at SMI:

See more on SMI's Higher Degree by Research page

CSRM has developed shared resources for communities, practitioners and leaders.

These resource's provide practical guidance and accessible, interactive learning activities for communities, practitioners and stakeholders based on our research.

See community resources

Contact us

Get in touch for any enquiries.

+61 7 3346 4166

Location

Level 6, Sir James Foots Building (47A),
Corner College & Staff House Roads
The University of Queensland, St Lucia,
Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia

 

Learn more about the Centre's work

CSRM news stories