About the Mitchell Institute
Informed.
Independent.
Influential.
The Mitchell Institute at Victoria University is a leading education policy think tank and research centre. We produce timely, rigorous research to understand who Australia’s education systems are working for, and who they are leaving behind.
Our work sits at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. Combining academic insight with real-world experience, we deliver practical policy solutions that respond to current challenges and anticipate those ahead.
Equity is at the centre of our work. We focus on improving outcomes for Australians facing systemic barriers, particularly those in socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
Through ongoing analysis of Australia’s education systems, we generate trusted evidence to inform public debate and support better decision-making.
Our goal is simple: to ensure every Australian has access to the same educational opportunities from the start.
What we do
- Analyse evidence and data to understand how policies and systems are performing, who they are supporting well and who they are failing, and the extent to which international evidence and experience can contribute to how we can improve the current system.
- Stimulate public discussion and debate to increase policymakers’ and the public’s understanding of the key challenges we face, the benefits to society of fairer and more responsive policies and systems, and how these policies and systems can be improved through evidence-based approaches.
- Assist and advise policymakers in designing and implementing reform by translating complex data into clear policy ideas and by engaging directly with decision-makers, service providers, and service users to provide deep and well-rounded perspectives on the problems Australia is working to overcome.
Alongside our core policy work, the Mitchell Institute operates as both an independent think tank and a trusted research partner. We lead major policy projects that shape national debate while also delivering contract and commissioned research for governments and organisations. This work applies our analytical expertise to real-world challenges, producing timely, high-quality insights that inform decision-making while maintaining independence and research integrity.
Focus areas
Who we are
Established in 2013, the Mitchell Institute was initially founded through a partnership between the late Harold Mitchell AC and Victoria University (VU) with a shared goal of strengthening the role of evidence in education policy.
As part of VU, the Institute is embedded in a dual-sector environment that connects research, teaching, and community impact. This positioning enables us to draw on academic expertise while remaining closely engaged with policy and practice.
In 2022, the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) joined the Institute, expanding our capacity for large-scale data analysis, international comparison, and system-level research.
Today, we are a multidisciplinary team of researchers, policy specialists, and communicators working to improve education outcomes through evidence-informed reform.
At the Mitchell Institute, we combine academic rigour with accessible analysis to change the debate on some of the most important issues facing Australia.
– Professor Peter Hurley
Mitchell Institute Director
