The Centre for Research in Health, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS) was established in 1991 as a self-funding unit to promote research activity in the three named major areas, to act as a focus for staff research activities and to provide infrastructure facilities for project submissions. Since its opening CHESS has been successful in gaining research funding from a variety of international, national, state and regional agencies including, for example, Asian Development Bank, Australian Research Council, Rural Health Education Support and Training Program, Department of Education Victoria, Catholic Education Office Victoria, Health and Community Services Victoria, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Wellington Shire and South Gippsland Education Committee.
As part of its health research activities, CHESS has developed a close relationship with Monash University Centre for Rural Health, Australian Rural Health Research Institute and Suzhou University Medical Faculty (People's Republic of China). At the same time CHESS continues to develop its research profile in the politics of educational change, in teacher professional development and in the study of higher education. Finally CHESS intends to extend its activities as a general social science and social survey research consultant for the Gippsland region.
Dr Philip Edwards is executive director. Associate Professor David Harvey, Associate Professor Tony Taylor and Dr Keith Stead are co-directors. Inquiries may be directed to (03) 9902 6366, or email philip.edwards@education.monash.edu.au.