Tag: Social Policy

Social Policy

Indigenous Australians, Justice & Language Translation

Social Science Insights

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.

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Business
A Black woman is typing on a Mac laptop

What is Social Marketing?

Social Science Insights

Social Marketing is the application of commercial practices using a social science framework. It is particularly used for public information campaigns. The aim is to understand social behaviour and affect positive social change. This is done through targeted research on a particular community and in partnership with stakeholders.

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Social Policy
People sit on the Federation Square steps, in Melbourne

Social Science Methods Improve Social Policy

Social Science Insights

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.

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Business2 Comments
People sitting at Hyde Park, Sydney

Creating Real Choice for Women at Work

Social Science Insights

Researcher Barbara Pocock’s book “The Work/Life Collision” has been influential throughout my career. I taught Professor Pocock’s research for years at Swinburne University while I was still a lecturer and tutor. This book informed my thinking when I worked in social policy research. I draw on her work still.

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Social Policy1 Comment
Firefighters bent over a hose, while a large blaze burns behind them, along with a huge wall of black smoke

Environment, Health and Safety Training

Social Science Insights

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.

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How to Manage Stress at Work

Social Science Insights

How can you better address the experience of stress and work? Research shows that stress comes from many sources, but the cumulative effect can lead to chronic illness.

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Social Policy1 Comment
Protesters march through Sydney. Two people hold a large Aboriginal flag as they walk

Race and Identity

Social Science Insights

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.

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A sunny day. People walk across Circular Quay park. An inflatable tiger is lying down. Tall buildings of Sydney CBD in the far background

Work Life Balance and Public Health

Social Science Insights

I recently wrote about how social science supports local governments to improve public health, through research and community consultation. Social scientists work to address policy gaps, we use science theories and methods to better target community services, and we ensure that health programs are socially inclusive. Here, I want to address how this public health model is relevant to workplace health. I’ll start by briefly showing why and how public health is important.

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Social Policy6 Comments
People dance outdoors

Healthy Communities: Local Government Supporting Public Health

Social Science Insights

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 Quotes
Close up of handshake between a Black man and a white man

Social Science Quote of the Week: Political Equality

Social Science Insights

Your Social Science Quote of the Week is by Sociology Professor Professor Danielle Allen. In Beyond Integration: Building a Connected Society, Allen argues that political equality is founded upon economic justice and social equality, which she defines as “connected institutions and services” informed by social science. Continue reading Social Science Quote of the Week: Political Equality