The Housing and Urban Research Institute of Western Australia (HURIWA) has appointed Associate Professor Fiona Haslam McKenzie as the first full-time director.
The Housing and Urban Research Institute of Western Australia (HURIWA) has appointed Associate Professor Fiona Haslam McKenzie as the first full-time director.
A joint venture between Curtin and Murdoch universities, HURIWA engages in research in a range of housing issues including social and affordable housing, economics, community development, social work and social policy, Indigenous research and urban and regional planning.
Dr Haslam McKenzie said she looked forward to her new role and hoped to play an active role in developing solutions for the future.
“Housing issues have the potential to affect the future shape of our community and I look forward to assisting in the development of new ideas in this important area,” she said.
Director of Curtin’s Alcoa Research Centre for Stronger Communities, Professor Daniela Stehlik, said she was looking forward to seeing HURIWA develop its initiatives further under Dr Haslam McKenzie’s direction.
“Housing is a complex and challenging issue for our community and the appointment of a full-time director reflects the importance of managing these challenges in a responsible and sustainable way,” she said.
“Fiona has extensive experience in areas such as population and socio-economic change, regional economic development and analysis of social indicators.”
Murdoch division of arts executive dean Professor Arnold Depickere said Dr Haslam McKenzie’s role at HURIWA was pivotal in assisting the development of a sustainable future for all Western Australians.
“Fiona has a real enthusiasm for using quality research to help offer new solutions to the housing sector,” he told WA Business News.
“The development of a full-time director not only highlights the importance of housing issues, but also reflects the outstanding research already undertaken by HURIWA.”
Dr Haslam McKenzie will also direct the Australian Housing Urban Research Institute, which links research undertaken by state arms, and receives funding from Commonwealth and state grants, commercial grants and through contributions by participating centres.
AHURI focuses on policy-oriented housing research, with research outputs gravitating to relevant federal and state government departments, and specifically to housing departments.
AHURI aims to assist national development in achieving better housing market outcomes, efficient and effective housing assistance programs, and building and re-building viable communities.