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 themes and projects

Our researchers focus on a wide range of social and community issues and we also lead and participate in multi-party, industry, and university collaborations to build knowledge for practical application.

See our research themes and projects

Publications and reports

CSRM publications and reports catalogues the Centre's output over the past 20 years. This valuable resource is publicly available to access on an external server.

Access publications and reports

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

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

CSRM has a strong track record of enabling research capacities through its PhD and MPhil programs.

Our current research cohort comprises students from Kenya, Zambia, Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, and the OECD, who are all working on cutting edge research on the social, cultural, and institutional aspects of resource development.
 
 
If you would like to join our community, start your journey by finding a supervisor, proposing your research project or applying for an available research project . 

For more information and enquiries about studying for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) 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 3343 4307

Location

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