Education interviews

October 13, 2017June 17, 2025 Social Science Insights

Our fieldwork was so much fun! Our partner organisation was phenomenal in recruiting a range of participants across the education sector. Almost too efficient – the first day we interviewed 12 people (over half our sample) and my wrists and eyes nearly fell off from notetaking! We studied how peer networks can help or hinder education to work experiences. We also discussed the types of support and encouragement available to students and at work and school. Continue reading Education interviews

Applied Sociology

Education and Work

October 11, 2017June 17, 2025 Social Science Insights

In the field again, this time for a new education and training project I’ll be taking over soon. It is a longitudinal study of youth cohorts in regional areas, exploring their support networks for study and work. I am visiting training organisations and workplaces, and interviewing students. Continue reading Education and Work

Applied Sociology

Visual Sociology for Social Policy

September 15, 2017June 17, 2025 Social Science Insights

Completed the design for a mock up brochure and a client paper explaining the social science behind the design.

Applied Sociology

Education Project

September 5, 2017August 9, 2025 Social Science Insights

Tuesdays are a massive day of back to back meetings. Managed to make good progress on an education project focusing on communicating change.

Research in Action

Decolonising Theory, Methods, and Practice

July 31, 2017August 9, 2025 Social Science Insights

I interviewed Associate Professor Kathleen Butler, sociologist and Aboriginal woman belonging to the Bundjalung and Worimi peoples of coastal New South Wales, who led the “Indigenous Sociology for Social Impact” workshop. Continue reading Decolonising Theory, Methods, and Practice

Business

Supporting International Graduates in the Workplace

June 30, 2017August 9, 2025 Social Science Insights

A significant but growing minority of Australia-educated international graduates show signs of economic disadvantage in the Australian workforce, despite their Australian qualifications. While these students have gained their degrees in Australia, my research shows they are less successful in finding work in their chosen profession relative to students from English-speaking countries and Australia-born graduates. The largest disadvantage occurs for students born in India and China who are aged in their 20s.

They face discrimination from employers who exclude considering them for roles, presuming that their English language skills are poor, or that their cultural differences would make them a poor organisational fit. This is not aligned with evidence showing that cultural diversity enriches workplaces.