Two young men stand side by side. One of them has his hand on the other's shoulder, as he smiles

Strengthening Youth Services

A new study finds that there are wide discrepancies in the mental health outcomes of young people living in rural and urban areas.

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Three young men and two young women talk and laugh as they walk the street

Empathy in Youth Work

“Empathy is vital in understanding the needs and issues facing young people, and it is important to recognise the potential they have.”

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A packed crowd in a stadium

Social Science of Crowds

Social policy makers need ongoing research into the social behaviour of crowds. This is partly about urban planning, such as management of landscapes, improving infrastructure, decreasing traffic congestion and so on. Governments also need to understand crowd behaviour because local communities need to improve social service delivery.

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Critique of ‘The Happiness Industry’

Australian social psychologist Hugh Mackay‘s new book The Good Life critiques the “outbreak” of positivity as a consumer industry. I share with you Mackay’s interview with Radio National as an example of public social science. 

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Three young men and two young women talk and laugh as they walk the street

Including Youth in Community Consulting

Societies make many negative assumptions about the types of young people who are forced into criminal activity, and why this might occur. Yet, as Sociology professor Randy Blazak points out, youth voices are often missing from these discussions. Professor Blazak talks about the problem of labelling at-risk youth “gang members.” He notes that not listening to these youth’s experiences can become a “self-fulling prophecy.” He explains: “People don’t get better when you focus on the bad stuff.” In sociology, we know this as labelling theory.

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