Health and wellbeing development trends go beyond individual factors, by connecting community trends to broader Australian and international social issues. This includes the services and facilities that people have access to, their experiences of social connectedness (which can impact knowledge and access to local services) and broader socio-economic patterns.
Continue reading “From Local to Global Health Connections”
Community learning addresses the socio-economic outcomes of community members through a long-term, life-long education program. This includes strengthening skills and knowledge of community members, by addressing shifting employment needs as the economy changes; strengthening social cohesion; and improving quality of life and general fulfilment of individuals, families and local groups.
Continue reading “Community Learning”
The Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University says the social sciences have an important role to play in society, especially through multidisciplinary research.
Continue reading “Social Science in Multidisciplinary Research”
Your social science snack for this month is on the benefits of volunteering! A study published in the journal Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly finds that strong social networks encourage donations and volunteering for secular causes as well as religious charities.
Continue reading “Volunteering and Social Capital”
Common law does not require people are given access to an interpreter but legal cases show that use of interpreters does not always lead to an accurate and fair presentation of evidence in court. This is especially problematic for Indigenous Australians who speak diverse languages that don’t necessarily translate well through the mouths of a poorly trained interpreter.
Continue reading “Indigenous Australians, Justice & Language Translation”
Governments see that social science methods are highly useful in drafting social policy and to improve workplace practices. Social scientists contribute to decisionmaking by using a range of case studies and statistical analyses.
Continue reading “Social Science Methods Improve Social Policy”
I led the research team responding to a state inquiry on the health and safety impact of firefighter training. I reflect on the use of social science during the analysis phase of investigation. This discussion serves as a case study on how to other organisations might improve management responses to environmental, health and safety issues.
Continue reading “Environment, Health and Safety Training”
The Australian Government is getting ready to displace Indigenous Australians living in over 150 remote communities in Western Australia, in a bid to save money. Rather than fixing existing social services, Indigenous Australians will be forced to move from their homes. This poorly conceived policy is nothing short of colonial violence, by dispossessing traditional owners from their homes.
Continue reading “Displacement of Indigenous Australians”
This is a summary of my recent social media writing about race and identity in Australia and the USA. This included my live tweets during the Sydney hostage siege as well as the Ferguson and the #BlackLivesMatter anti-police violence protests following the death of Eric Garner.
Continue reading “Race and Identity”
This is the first in a series of posts exploring how social science supports local governments in the provision of health policies and services. Continue reading “Healthy Communities: Local Government Supporting Public Health”
Social Science Insights 