Forest Research Institute | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Accessibility links

Non-production environment - editcd.usc.edu.au

Forest Research Institute

UniSC’s Forest Research Institute undertakes work in the broad spectrum of forestry research areas that make direct and meaningful contributions to the sustainability of our wooded landscapes.

This includes important areas of studies such as smallholder and forest conservation-based research, along with work to ensure industries are meeting regulatory requirements and public expectations.

Research centres

The Forest Research Institute is comprised of four Centres, each with an individual identity and research focus. Centres work collaboratively for greater impact.

Forest Industries Research Centre

The Forest Industries Research Centre (FIRC) is focused on the forestry value chain and the economic and environmental sustainability of forest industries.

Tropical Forests and People Research Centre

The Tropical Forests and People Research Centre brings together researchers interested in the interactions between people and tropical forests.

National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life

National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life Research Centre's aim is large-scale replacement of energy-intensive materials with sustainable biomaterials (wood, bamboo and plan-fibre-based composites).

AFWI Centre for Sustainable Futures

Leading applied research to enhance timber production, maximise forest value, and support the development of carbon-friendly building solutions.

Seminar Series and Research Showcase

Large tree in a forest
Forests for our Future: Lunch & Learn

Join UniSC's Forest Research Institute on the first Tuesday of each month to learn about forestry and sustainability. At each event, researchers and HDR students from the Institute will share insights from their latest projects and discuss challenges and innovations in forestry, with a particular focus on sustainability and the vital role forests play in tackling climate change.

Forest Research Institute Showcase

Following a successful event in 2024, our UniSC Forest Research Institute is planning another Research Showcase from 27-29 Oct, 2025 at the Innovation Centre, UniSC Sunshine Coast campus. Join us for three inspiring days of networking opportunities, workshops, awards and presentations from leading national and international experts in Forestry, Forest Products and Forest Science, including a dedicated Student Day.

Registration link and program details to follow soon.

Latest News

UniSC Professor to lead International Energy Agency program
10 Jan

The UniSC’s Professor Mark Brown is leading the global development of the bioenergy industry as the newly appointed Chair of the International Energy Agency Bioenergy program

UniSC awarded $1.7M for rainforest laser network
20 Nov 2024

UniSC has secured more than $1.7 million to deploy a network of state-of-the-art lasers to scan, measure and 3D map Australia’s rainforests

Andy Marshall behind bars in a monkey cage at a zoo handed a banana by the zoo staff.
How a man in a monkey cage decided to save the planet...one tree at a time
22 Oct 2024

Andy Marshall’s renowned research goes to the root of conservation science – the health or otherwise of the 73,000 tree species growing on our planet, releasing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, helping people, animals and the atmosphere breathe easier

Researcher Spotlight

Lyndall Bull
Globally-recognised forest sector leader, Dr Lyndall Bull, announced as keynote speaker for FRI Research Showcase
1 Sep

We’re thrilled to announce Dr Lyndall Bull as the keynote speaker for the Forest Research Institute’s Research Showcase 2025.

AFWI Centre for Sustainable Futures Lead-in Projects Approved for Funding
23 Jul

Two of our AFWI Centre for Sustainable Futures initial lead-in projects have been signed off by the AFWI Research Advisory Committee and Board, with the following projects approved for funding

Leanda Garvie: Forests, Figures and Forward Thinking
2 Jun

Molecular biology, accounting, and forestry may seem an unlikely mix, but for Leanda Garvie, these fields came together in a remarkably cohesive way.

Contact us

Subscribe

Join our mailing list and receive the Forest Research Institute newsletter.

Join our mailing list

By providing your email address you are giving the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) permission to send you the Forest Research Institute newsletter and associated alerts.

Should you wish to unsubscribe from the FRI newsletter, please email the UniSC Forest Research Industry team on FRIAdmin@usc.edu.au. If you choose not to provide us with your email address, we will be unable to add you to the newsletter subscription. Personal information will be stored by UniSC and will not be disclosed to any other external third party or outside Australia without your consent, unless UniSC are required, or authorised to do so by law. Find out more about Privacy at UniSC.