WPI’s Melbourne Project Center

Welcome!

Since 1998, more than 1000 WPI students have conducted over 290 projects at the Melbourne Project Center (MPC), partnering with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private enterprises in Melbourne and across the state of Victoria. MPC projects help our students understand technological problems in their social, cultural, and political contexts, and they yield tangible outcomes that benefit partnering organizations and the wider community — from new research studies and policy recommendations, to built structures, program designs, and training materials that make a difference for our partners and their constituent communities.

Teams working with the Port Phillip EcoCentre have developed microplastic monitoring protocols and supported other cross-sectoral marine ecosystem management initiatives.
Teams working with Museums Victoria study visitor experiences and support interactive exhibit design.
Teams working with Friends of the Earth – Melbourne are analyzing opportunities for public transit expansion in the city.
Teams working with Snowy River Innovation and Beyond Zero Emissions are investigating ethical pathways for the bioenergy sector.
Teams working with Banskia Gardens Community Services collaborate with young people on STEM education, climate adaptation and anti-domestic violence work.
Teams working with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence are developing resources to help young people prepare for career success.

Projects

Each year, the Melbourne Project Center conducts a set of 12 to 18 projects, typically with 3 or 4 students per project team and 6 teams per term. Teams are sent during B term (October to December), C term (January to March), and D term (March to May). In these pages you will find links…

Partners

Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Melbourne Project Center has worked with over 50 partnering organizations throughout the Melbourne Community, ranging from not-for-profit organizations and governmental agencies to private enterprises. Our partners have provided projects to WPI students on a variety of themes, including (but not limited to): education, organizational process improvement, disability services, energy resources, and health and…

Students

“The experience of spending 2 months living and working in another country really broadened my understanding of the world and its different cultures. Working every day in an interdisciplinary team helped me learn how to collaborate with people of differing backgrounds and areas of expertise.” – D Term 2013, MPC Alum The Melbourne Project Center works in…

Contact Us

Please contact us if you would like to learn more about the Melbourne Project Center, or if you would like to sponsor a project in Melbourne. Co-Directors Lorraine Higgins Co-Director, Melbourne Project Center Teaching Professor, Department of Integrative and Global Studies Webpage: https://www.wpi.edu/people/faculty/ldh Email: ldh@wpi.edu Phone: +1-508-831-5503 Stephen McCauley Co-Director, Melbourne Project Center Associate Professor…