Society and wellbeing

Explore the highlights of our recent work, media coverage and more.

Society and wellbeing snapshot: We support policymakers in addressing Australia’s most pressing challenges in housing, health, education and more.

Advancing societal wellbeing in Australia requires practical, evidence-based approaches to address challenges such as the cost of living, housing affordability, healthcare access, and equal opportunities.

We work closely with policymakers to identify their challenges and leverage university expertise and evidence to find innovative solutions to these pressing issues, identifying actionable strategies that address local needs, support long-term sustainability, and create lasting, positive impact for all Australians.

Key contact

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Isabella Whealing

Head of Social Policy

Highlights

Social policy

Our pioneering report, developed in close collaboration with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the Centre for Relational Care, outlines clear, actionable steps for driving a course change in child protection in NSW, paving the way for more effective and inclusive approaches to safeguarding vulnerable children.

Education
In 2022, the Australian Government launched an ambitious process to develop the Australian Universities Accord to drive transformative reform of Australia’s higher education system. The Institute was commissioned by the Australian Universities Accord Panel to help design a new funding model for Australian higher education teaching and scholarship.
Social justice
The Institute partnered with the independent NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner and his Office to bring together experts and identify the key strategic priorities for combatting modern slavery in NSW.

Ongoing work

Policy Challenge Grant
Professor Scott Eacott (University of New South Wales)
| 2024 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Prof Amy Conley Wright (University of Sydney)
| 2022 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Professor Kalervo Gulson (University of Sydney)
| 2023 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Dr James Deehan (Charles Sturt University)
| 2023 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Professor Louise Crabtree-Hayes (Western Sydney University)
| 2024 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Dr Angela Smith and Dr Jenna Condie (Western Sydney University)
| 2024 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Associate Professor Alfredo Paloyo (University of Wollongong)
| 2024 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Associate Professor Ghena Krayem (University of Sydney)
| 2022 – Present
Policy Challenge Grant
Caitlin McGee and Gordon Noble (University of Technology Sydney)
| 2024- Present
Policy Fellowship
Dr Archie Thomas and Samara Hand
| August 2024 – Present
Policy Fellowship
Dr Sarah Duffy (Western Sydney University)
| 2025 – Present

Completed work

Government Policy Project
NSW Ministry of Health
| July 2024
Government Policy Project
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
| Febuary 2024 – August 2024
Policy Fellowship
Dr Sophie-May Kerr (University of New South Wales)
| November 2023 – March 2024