About GSE
The GSE was formally established in 1978 as the Centre for Environmental Studies. It became the Centre for Environmental and Urban Studies in 1982 and acquired its present name in 1989. It is one of the largest independent environment schools in Australia and is located within Macquarie University's Division of Environmental and Life Sciences.
The GSE is located on the Macquarie University campus which is situated on 135 hectares of parkland at North Ryde, 15 kilometres north-west of Sydney's CBD. The beautiful natural setting has been maintained, and open green areas for sporting and other activities adjoin the university's teaching and research facilities. The campus is accessible by bus and train from the city and surrounding suburbs and in 2008/2009 the campus will have its own railway station.
The School provides a focus for research and supervision in environmental studies by staff throughout the University. Programs at the GSE are run by core academic staff who draw upon external professionals and staff from other areas of the University. This allows a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program to be offered covering the natural, social and technical sciences.
The GSE has a very active research program with extensive funding from diverse government, industry and community sources, and local and international partners and collaborators. Major GSE research activities include:
- The Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES). Its core business is to undertake research that informs policy and practice in Education for Sustainability across a range of sectors including: business and industry, school education, community education, further and higher education. ARIES is primarily funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources.
- A node of the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD). CCSD is a research partnership between NSW, Queensland and WA power industries, coal producers and universities and CSIRO.
- A participant in the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). GSE projects at SIMS benefit from Commonwealth Environment Research Centre and NCRES funding for marine science.