About IRRG

man looking a giant gant chart

Established in 1980, the Industrial Relations Research Group (IRRG) is the longest-established research centre in its field in Australia. It has continued to remain relevant by addressing emerging issues of concern in the changing world of work and workplace relations, both locally and internationally.

The IRRG brings together researchers from different academic disciplinary backgrounds inside and outside UNSW and the world, from a range of business and industry sectors, in its workspace or online. It conducts and publicises research that contributes to policy and practice in fields such as the regulation of labour standards, gender equity, workplace health and safety, and workforce development.

Our mission

The IRRG’s aim is to promote research relating to work, labour markets and industrial relations that will contribute to productive, satisfying and fair work arrangements.

The IRRG is committed to:

  • sponsoring rigorous, independent, evidence-based research that’s creative and original
  • acting in the public interest, through ethical research, open communication and accountability.

Our activities

The IRRG’s main activity is to produce The Economic and Labour Relations Review (ELRR). This international journal, published four times a year, explores the intersection of economic, social and labour relations policy research.

The IRRG supports the role of the ELRR editorial committee in ensuring that research published in the journal has an impact.

Members undertake evidence-based research, publication and communication activities that address significant work-related regulation, policies and practices from a social justice perspective.

It engages in individual and collaborative research projects including externally and competitively funded grants and contract research projects.

It communicates research results to academic, practitioner and policy communities and within the wider public domain through books, articles, print and social media, seminars and/or conferences, keynote addresses, industry forums, and reports.