It examines the way in which individuals, groups, organisations and institutions shape the employment relationship. At the University of Sydney, where industrial relations has been taught for more than forty years, there is a strong inter-disciplinary approach to the subject which draws on a wide range of social sciences. Professor Russell Lansbury was appointed to the Chair of Industrial Relations in 1987. The Department offers a wide range of subjects at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and the number of students has grown rapidly in recent years.
Students have the opportunity to undertake work experience as part of their undergraduate program.
From 1991, Associate Professor Ron Callus became full-time director of the Centre, on secondment from the Department. The Labour History Research Group, which shares facilities with the Department and undertakes complementary activities, publishes the journal Labour History . In 1999 it was delivered by Quentin Bryce , Principal of The Women's College, at the University of Sydney and former Federal Commissioner for Sex Discrimination. The number of students undertaking courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the Department of Industrial Relations has increased rapidly in recent years. Approximately 700 students were enrolled in the first year undergraduate courses in Macro and Micro Industrial Relations in 1998, while an average of 300 students undertook second and third year courses.