Research clusters

The Diverse and Inclusive Communities research cluster aims to foster and support cross-disciplinary research activity within the Arts and Social Sciences Discipline.

We are interested in:

• Theorising, developing and evaluating innovative strategies that respond to the needs of diverse communities
• Interrogating the borders and boundaries of communities – who is included and who is excluded – with a view to strengthening community connections and wellbeing for those who are commonly excluded
• How people come together and collaborate to resolve their own issues and how they can access resources to which they are entitled
• Exploring the philosophical and practical implications of such things as policy change, insecurity, climate change, social unrest, religious background and/or orientation, and natural disasters.

Current and recent projects include:

• Professor Mark Hughes’ involvement in the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery grant ‘Advancing Social Work Research’ and the ARC Linkage grant ‘Reducing Health Disparities for Older LGBTI Australians’.
•  Associate Professor Lynne MacPherson and Dr Kathomi Gatwiri’s work with the Australian Childhood Foundation at the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care.