Current projects

Neighbourhood Houses respond to loneliness

I am leading a VicHealth funded project that seeks to strengthen the ability of Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria to respond to the growing social and health challenges of loneliness and social isolation. With a team of social work, geography, planning and life experience experts we are developing a toolkit for engaging people who seek social connection in Victoria’s network of Neighbourhood Houses. Both the toolkit and papers from this work are currently being prepared for publication, so check back soon for more!

Digital Inequality in Australian cities

I am leading the project titled ‘Social infrastructures for digital skills’ which is funded by the Australian Communication Consumers Action Network. This project analyses spaces in which people at risk of digital exclusion seek support with digital skills development and trouble shooting. The project follows up on a previous project that analysed how digital inequality was experienced by social housing tenants during pandemic lockdowns. The report and a paper from the finished project are listed under ‘publications’.

Council investment in social infrastructure

I am conducting research in partnership with local governments that are planning, building and managing a growing number of community centres in Melbourne’s peripheral growth corridors. The research is showing that, while local governments have not traditionally been responsible for providing this infrastructure, they are well placed to do so. The research also shows that the relatively recent involvement of local government in running community centres is creating some hesitation among staff regarding the desired role of governments in the facilitation of community groups. A report from this work is available under the ‘publications’ tab and papers are forthcoming soon.

Past