The inside of Parliament House is shaped in a 'u' formation, with seats surrounding a central seat for the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Sociology of Class and Australian Politics

A look back at Australia’s enduring class struggle for power and how billionaires appeal to working-class ideals.

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Ageing Positively: How Technology Can Help

Western societies have dramatically changed the way we see ageing. Getting older once meant prestige: a special status and social influence within a community. This has declined in modern times, as societies became increasingly obsessed with youth. As advanced societies face an increasingly older age structure, we have started to look for social policy solutions to improve “positive ageing.”

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Discourses of Disability

Inspiration porn is an image of a person with a disability, often a kid, doing something completely ordinary – like playing, or talking, or running, or drawing a picture, or hitting a tennis ball – carrying a caption like “your excuse is invalid” or “before you quit, try”…  Let me be clear about the intent of this inspiration porn; it’s there so that non-disabled people can put their worries into perspective. So they can go, “Oh well if that kid who doesn’t have any legs can smile while he’s having an awesome time, I should never, EVER feel bad about … Continue reading Discourses of Disability

Innovation Through Social Science

Social scientists are trained to think critically. This doesn’t mean in the colloquial sense. This is about learning a suite of scientific methodologies for framing questions, collecting and analysing evidence and making recommendations.

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A large crowd of Catholic people pray and hold one another's shoulders

Pope Francis and Homophobia

Australian writer-comedian Rebecca Shaw (who identifies as lesbian) argues we need to look at the actual changes of the Catholic Church rather than simply applauding empty platitudes by the Pope. So far, the Church remains negligent on upholding the human rights of LGBTQI people. The article is worth reading in full on SBS News.

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White and Black people pick up rubbish at a beach

The Benefits of Volunteering for the Business Sector

Australia’s in the midst of the festive season, the spirit of which is about giving and positive change ahead of a new year. So what does our not-for-profit sector look like?

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Black Women Mentors in Science

The overall motivation for my desire to see more Black women as mentors in science is not self-centered. I believe that science needs the perspectives, ideas, and creativity that can only result from diversification. As more underrepresented women and men of color are offered positions, more of them will take up roles as PIs, research advisors and administrators, and I am certain that more of my needs and those of others like me will be met. In order to navigate a career that I love, but that requires years of exhaustive training and that comes with no guarantee of financial … Continue reading Black Women Mentors in Science

Holistic Understanding of Mental Health in Indigenous Culture

Prof Pat Dudgeon, National Mental Health Commissioner, says that: ‘Indigenous culture has for a long time had a holistic understanding of mental health’:

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Bernardi clashes with Turnbull on marriage

Bernardi clashes with Turnbull on marriage Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi says fellow Liberal Malcolm Turnbull should stop speaking in support of gay marriage. Bernardi is a right wing Christian who last year linked bestiality with homosexuality. Bernadi says gay … Continue reading Bernardi clashes with Turnbull on marriage