MUARC, formed in 1987, is Australia’s largest multi-disciplinary research centre specialising in the study of injury and injury prevention. The Centre undertakes applied research contracts for government and industry clients throughout Australia and internationally. More fundamental research is undertaken through research grants.

While its clients are national and international, MUARC has special relationships with a number of bodies in its home state of Victoria: VicRoads, the Transport Accident Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Human Services, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria and VicHealth.

Professor Brian Fildes has a Ph.D. in Research Psychology and a Batchelor of Science degree (with Honours) in psychology and economics from Monash University, Melbourne. He also has former qualifications in Mechanical Engineering (Production). He specialises in Accidentology (the study of accidents), vehicle safety in general, and in Behaviour and Human Factors research.

Professor Fildes was responsible for the formation of in-depth crash investigation activities at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in 1988 and has since accumulated over 15 years experience in crash investigation and reconstruction. He heads up the successful vehicle safety research team at MUARC and conducts a range of projects in occupant protection, vehicle design and crash causation. His other interests include driver perception, speeding and injuries to older people, both on the road and in the home.

Professor Fildes joined the Centre soon after it was established in 1987 and has developed and manages a team of over 20 researchers and graduate students working on a number of research projects. He has been instrumental in helping government agencies implement a number of new injury prevention countermeasures and programs as well as helping design and evaluate real world crash performance for the automotive industry. He is well known internationally for his work in Australia and overseas.

Brian has published almost 200 papers, reports, books and book chapters on a range of safety related topics, and holds editorial positions on a number of international scientific journals. He has been a long-standing member of the AAAM, is a current Board member of this organisation and its Scientific Program Committee, and this year will Chair of the Committee for the 2006 conference.