The RM Lab: a research hub for systems change in Melbourne
We believe in the power of knowledge and wisdom to help reorient our city towards a regenerative future. The RM Lab is a cross-institutional research hub, hosted by Regen Melbourne, that facilitates knowledge sharing and new knowledge generation to support systems change in our city.
Our research includes three types of activities:
Measuring What Matters
Developing a City Portrait for Greater Melbourne and building on this to measure progress towards our goals for a thriving city
Project-based Action Research
Bringing together existing knowledge and surfacing new research questions to inform the success of our wildly ambitious projects
Systems Change Explorations
Thematic research projects investigating big shifts we need to regenerate our city.
We believe that underpinning our work on the ground with a strong research foundation provides evidence to ensure that our projects are rigorous, relevant and legitimate. Melbourne has a rich knowledge sector, with many experts in academia, think tanks and practice well-positioned to contribute to Regen Melbourne’s projects at all stages of development.
The RM Lab is designed to bring together this research expertise from across institutions, sectors and disciplines. We are exploring new ways of structuring work that respond to our near-term needs and long-term vision.
The RM Lab is guided by a Research Council with members from:
Monash University - Monash Sustainable Development Institute
University of Melbourne - Centre for Cities and Melbourne School of Design
While the RM Lab is still emergent, we are covering a lot of ground already:
Project-based Action Research
Swimmable Birrarung - Launched a partnership with Transformation Capital to develop a systems capital approach to investment in the Birrarung, led by Dr Genevieve Mortimer
Participatory Melbourne - Established Dr Samuel Wilson from the Australia Leadership Index at Swinburne University as an RM Fellow to support this work
Regen Streets - Developed a studio case study for RMIT Service Design students
Measuring What Matters
Development of the City Portrait has been approached as a collaborative and iterative process that has included:
Design-led process for creating the digital platform for the City Portrait with RM Fellow Dr Michael Dunbar from RMIT University’s School of Design
Regular convening of a group of Learning Partners from the RM Alliance, inclusive of public, private and philanthropic organisations
13 ‘dimension deep-dive’ workshops to inform our framing of the Social Foundation
Collaboration with Altiorem to host research linked to the dimensions in the City Portrait
Systems Change Explorations
Themes for systems-level research are being shaped by needs and opportunities identified through the development of the City Portrait and commonalities across demonstration projects. Initial themes for exploration include:
The role and potential of regenerative / impact business models
Climate change adaptation
and plenty more to come as we dive further into the city portrait…
We have also engaged with classes at Melbourne, Monash and RMIT universities to consider Regen Melbourne’s work and frameworks in the context of multiple subjects.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the RM Lab as a researcher or institution please get in touch with Alison@regen.melbourne.
