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Research themes

The MARS Centre has three research themes, aligned with the MARS Program objectives. Research within each theme is co-designed with industry and has a strong intervention and risk management focus:

Creating mentally healthy workplaces

The prevalence of mental ill-health in the mining industry is high relative to similar industries in Australia. This research theme is concerned with factors that impact mental health and psychological wellbeing within the mining industry. Following a systems approach that recognises the interacting role of multi-level factors in creating safe and mentally healthy workplaces, MARS Centre research under this theme will include the following:

  • Understanding and preventing psychosocial risks in mining work.
  • Examining the impacts of FIFO working arrangements on mental health and psychological wellbeing.
  • Assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of existing initiatives to promote improved mental health in the mining industry.
  • Examining the efficacy and effectiveness of novel interventions that address psychosocial risks and enhance worker mental health and wellbeing in the mining industry.

Building a culture of safety and respect

In response to the Australian Human Rights Commission (2020) Respect @ Work Report, and subsequent Western Australian Parliamentary Inquiry (2022), Enough is Enough: Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry, this research theme seeks to contribute to the goals of creating a culture of respect in the industry and addressing workplace sexual harassment and other forms of ill-treatment at work against woman and others. MARS Centre research under this theme will include the following:

  • Assessing the efficacy and effectiveness and current interventions that seek to address workplace sexual harassment in the mining sector.
  • Assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of novel interventions that seek to change the workplace culture and mitigate workplace sexual harassment in the mining industry.
  • Examining intersectionality in the experience of workplace sexual harassment and violence for all genders and groups in the mining industry.
  • Exploring gender equity and inclusion in the mining industry.
  • Determining the extent, nature and outcomes of other forms of ill-treatment in the mining industry, including workplace bullying, violence, harassment and discrimination.

Preparing for workplace safety in future mining

The nature of mining work continues to change as a result of global mega-trends such as climate change, shifts in workforce demographics, automation and the emergence of new technologies. These changes influence the context of mining work and the role of the mining worker, and impact on worker exposure to physical and psychosocial risks. This research theme focuses on addressing emerging risks and fostering health and safety innovation in new technologies. MARS Centre research under this theme will include the following:

  • Identifying the risks and challenges associated with new technologies and new ways of working, including the shift from physical to knowledge-based work.
  • Analysing changing training and competency needs in line with mining industry changes, and the re-skilling of workers to meet future industry needs.
  • Examining the role of advanced communication technologies on flexible working, connectivity, and social support for mining workers.
  • Exploring how changing industry demographics, and in particular greater gender balance, can positively influence mining industry culture to promote greater levels of worker wellbeing and reductions in workplace sexual harassment.
  • Examining the impacting of mining workforce ageing on work health and safety risk.
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