The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) is excited to announce the launch of the Social Science Research Infrastructure Network (SSRIN), a new initiative designed to improve research infrastructure for social sciences in Australia. This project aims to address critical challenges faced by social science researchers, including data accessibility, usability, digital research skills gaps and fragmented research networks.
The ARDC, through its HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons, is co-investing $4.43 million in the initiative, alongside co-investment from the partners that brings the total investment to $8.86 million.
SSRIN will benefit a wide range of participants, including academic researchers, government analysts, data custodians, and policy makers.
Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski from the Institute of Social Science Research at The University of Queensland, the project lead, said, “The SSRIN represents a significant step forward in transforming Australia’s social science research landscape. By addressing the gaps in research infrastructure, we can better equip our researchers to tackle pressing societal challenges, from inequality to public health.”
The initiative builds on the directions outlined in the recently released Decadal Plan for Social Science Research Infrastructure 2024-33 from the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, which outlines a vision for enhancing Australia’s social science research capabilities over the next decade. The SSRIN will concentrate on improving data infrastructure – with a particular focus on integrated government administrative data, building research capacity, and fostering collaboration among universities, government, NGOs, and communities.
Jenny Fewster, Director of the ARDC’s HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons, emphasised the importance of this project, saying, “The SSRIN is not just about improving access to data; it’s about creating collaborative research infrastructure so that researchers can thrive. By connecting various stakeholders, we can drive innovation and ensure that social science researchers have access to the data and tools they need to understand and address the needs of our society.”
The new project is part of the ARDC’s HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons, which is establishing long-term, enduring national digital research infrastructure. It supports researchers in harnessing research data to enhance Australian social and cultural wellbeing, and helps us understand and preserve our culture, history and heritage.
SSRIN is set to run until June 2028, with ongoing consultations and collaborations planned throughout its duration. The expected outcomes include better access to key data infrastructure, enhanced skills across the social science community, and improved collaboration between researchers and various sectors.
SSRIN is led by the Institute for Social Science Research at The University of Queensland in partnership with the ARDC, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian National University, National Centre for Healthy Ageing at Monash University, The Centre for Child Health Research at the University of Western Australia, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Life Course Centre).
Learn more about the Social Science Research Infrastructure Network (SSRIN).
The Social Science Research Infrastructure Network received co-investment (doi.org/10.3565/8d3z-sq52) from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). The ARDC is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
