Our Beginnings
The Murdoch University Harry Butler Institute (HBI) was established in 2017 under the leadership of then Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Simon McKirdy. Professor McKirdy brought a wealth of industry and government experience to the academic role, as well as a lifetime of experience in biosecurity and plant pathology research and management. With his team of academic and professional staff, he built an institute with a reputation for high-quality research and innovative management solutions in a wide range of areas related to environmental sustainability.
Dr Harry Butler on Barrow Island. Photo supplied by Chevron Australia.
The Institute's ethos of working collaboratively across industry, regulators, and academia was inspired by its namesake, the famed Western Australian educator, Dr Harry Butler.
Subsequently, four research centres were developed to encapsulate different aspects of environmental sustainability:
• Water, Energy, and Waste
A Director was appointed to each of the four Centres to build the research portfolio and a membership of researchers. The vast majority of our members are based within the University’s Colleges, with relatively few research-only staff directly within HBI. This strong connection with the Colleges is integral to our success. It has allowed us to support and build upon some of Murdoch University's long-running research programs.
Under the leadership of Executive Director, Professor Treena Burgess, the Harry Butler Institute's professional and academic team has established a strategic plan to guide the operation of the Institute.
Our Strategy
The Harry Butler Institute Strategic Plan 2025-2023 lays out the path for the Institute to achieve its mission; to drive transformative research that advances environmental sustainability, delivering practical, evidence-based solutions through strong partnerships with government, industry and communities.
It closely aligns with the Murdoch University strategic pillars of Sustainability, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and First Nations Engagement, as outlined in the Murdoch University Strategic Plan 2023-2030. At the core of our strategy are the five P's; People, Partnerships, Projects, Promotion, and Policy. These interconnected pillars enable HBI to achieve its mission in conducting impactful research, fostering collaboration, and engaging with the broader community.
Our Annual Reports
The Harry Butler Institute Annual Reports outline the key activities, challenges and achievements of the research Institute over the calendar year. They put on spotlight on research projects and collate our research achievement and impact data, as well as listing our publications for the year.
Our People
The Harry Butler Institute operates under a governance structure led by an Executive Director, four Centre Directors, and Deptuty Centre Directors, who collaboratively make management decisions for the Institute. Alongside our four Centres sits our Operations Team and our Communications and Outreach Team, responsible for supporting the operation and advancement of the institute and its research.
Governance Model
HBI Leadership
HBI Researchers and Educators
The Harry Butler Institute's model for leading translational research and driving the implementation best-practice sustainable solutions is delivered through our team of scientific researchers and educators. Most of HBI's researchers are also teachers of undergraduate or postgraduate students, or supervise research students.
Learn more about our researchers.
Many researchers from across the four Centre's are involved in HBI's education and outreach programs undertaken in schools and the community. HBI's outreach and education programs are led by biotechnologist and former school teacher, Pauline Charman.
Learn more about our programs on the Harry Butler Education Hub site (coming soon).