The Role and Impact of the Social Support System on the Well-being of the Elderly in China. This research will examine how recent changes to the system of formal and informal support for the elderly in China has affected their well-being. The project will analyse two unique data sets that provide a wealth of information on the economic and social circumstances on the elderly in China in 1992 and 2000. The proposed collaboration with Chinese researchers on aging will generate new insights into ho ....The Role and Impact of the Social Support System on the Well-being of the Elderly in China. This research will examine how recent changes to the system of formal and informal support for the elderly in China has affected their well-being. The project will analyse two unique data sets that provide a wealth of information on the economic and social circumstances on the elderly in China in 1992 and 2000. The proposed collaboration with Chinese researchers on aging will generate new insights into how the circumstances of the elderly are changing in a context of economic transformation and social change. The results will have implications for social policy development in China and shed light on theoretical debate over the role of confucianism in China's version of 'welfare orientalism'.Read moreRead less
Learning to make it work: education, work and wellbeing in young adulthood. The project plans to analyse young adults’ transitions from education to work from ages 27 to 31 (2016–20). This period is crucial for economic and social integration, however unemployment and insecure work are increasing, creating challenges. The longitudinal design includes a cross-generational analysis with a cohort of young Australians who were 27 in 2001 and 31 in 2005, to analyse changes in economic and social inte ....Learning to make it work: education, work and wellbeing in young adulthood. The project plans to analyse young adults’ transitions from education to work from ages 27 to 31 (2016–20). This period is crucial for economic and social integration, however unemployment and insecure work are increasing, creating challenges. The longitudinal design includes a cross-generational analysis with a cohort of young Australians who were 27 in 2001 and 31 in 2005, to analyse changes in economic and social integration since the global financial crisis. It plans to extend current policy frameworks of youth transitions to explore the relationship between education, work and wellbeing, and contribute new knowledge about changing forms of vulnerability and the factors that support integration and resilience for young adults. Expected project outcomes are an evidence base about the resources that enable young adults to maximise their social and economic participation in society.Read moreRead less
Growing Old in a Rapidly Changing World: Living Conditions and Inequalities Amongst the Aged in China. China is set to dominate the world stage in the current millennium and ageing will present challenges to all nations. This research will benefit understanding of these issues by enriching our understanding of how older people in China cope with rapid change by documenting the factors that produce improved living conditions, including strong family and community relations. A component of the res ....Growing Old in a Rapidly Changing World: Living Conditions and Inequalities Amongst the Aged in China. China is set to dominate the world stage in the current millennium and ageing will present challenges to all nations. This research will benefit understanding of these issues by enriching our understanding of how older people in China cope with rapid change by documenting the factors that produce improved living conditions, including strong family and community relations. A component of the research will draw comparisons with Australia in order to increase the relevance of the study which will build ageing research capacity in both China and Australia.Read moreRead less
Social Support Provided in China to Older People with Disabilities. The project contributes to understanding our region through the opportunity to demonstrate Australia's engagement with China, with which it is establishing strong links in social, economic and cultural interests. It contributes to national understanding of East Asian policies for older people with a disability, including partnership approaches to social support between government, non-government and communities. The project stre ....Social Support Provided in China to Older People with Disabilities. The project contributes to understanding our region through the opportunity to demonstrate Australia's engagement with China, with which it is establishing strong links in social, economic and cultural interests. It contributes to national understanding of East Asian policies for older people with a disability, including partnership approaches to social support between government, non-government and communities. The project strengthens connections between Australian researchers and policy officials, the China Research Centre on Ageing, and Chinese government organisations.Read moreRead less
Capacity building and social enterprise: Individual and organisational transformation in transitional labour market programs. This research will produce new knowledge about the sustainability of social enterprise based transitional labour market programs, and contribute to the development of such programs nationally and internationally. The study of the factors that shape the success, or otherwise, of the most vulnerable, marginalised young people's involvement in these programs will contribute ....Capacity building and social enterprise: Individual and organisational transformation in transitional labour market programs. This research will produce new knowledge about the sustainability of social enterprise based transitional labour market programs, and contribute to the development of such programs nationally and internationally. The study of the factors that shape the success, or otherwise, of the most vulnerable, marginalised young people's involvement in these programs will contribute new knowledge about young people's transitions into labour markets. Together, these innovative understandings of social enterprise, marginalisation and social inclusion/transition will make significant contributions to the National Research Priority goals strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric and promoting an innovation culture and economy.Read moreRead less
Supporting families: Horizontal and vertical equity in the Australian tax-benefit system in historical and comparative perspectives. Tax benefit reform and equity between different groups are key policy concerns currently and for the foreseeable future. The tax-benefit system is under review, and the Global Financial Crisis has prompted debate on how tax-benefit policy can stimulate the economy while maintaining equity and promoting social inclusion. This project will put debate about tax-benef ....Supporting families: Horizontal and vertical equity in the Australian tax-benefit system in historical and comparative perspectives. Tax benefit reform and equity between different groups are key policy concerns currently and for the foreseeable future. The tax-benefit system is under review, and the Global Financial Crisis has prompted debate on how tax-benefit policy can stimulate the economy while maintaining equity and promoting social inclusion. This project will put debate about tax-benefit reforms and deficit reduction strategies in historical and an international comparative context. Results generated will provide a rich and comprehensive framework for assessing current and future policy options in areas that are closely aligned with the designated national research priority goals of a healthy start to life and strengthening Australia's economic and social fabric.Read moreRead less
Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. This project aims to develop a policy suite to respond to an older workforce. By 2060, nearly half of Australians aged 64 or older will be employed. Failure to address their health problems could threaten Australia’s economy, tax base and provision of health and care services. This collaboration between national policy portfolios (employment, social services, workplace health and socia ....Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. This project aims to develop a policy suite to respond to an older workforce. By 2060, nearly half of Australians aged 64 or older will be employed. Failure to address their health problems could threaten Australia’s economy, tax base and provision of health and care services. This collaboration between national policy portfolios (employment, social services, workplace health and social equity) and expert scientists in work, health, social equality and policy process intends to reveal the diversity of older workers’ work-health dilemmas and effective ways for national policies to solve them. The policy suite will promote financial independence and meet social goals of equity and healthy ageing.Read moreRead less
An examination of the factors shaping recent developments in youth drinking. Over the past 15 years, the proportion of Australian teenagers who drink alcohol has halved. This project aims to understand the drivers of this major shift in teenage drinking behaviour. Initial work has shown that drinking has declined across demographic, socio-economic and cultural groups. This project plans to use mixed methods to analyse new and existing data to examine four potential drivers of this generational c ....An examination of the factors shaping recent developments in youth drinking. Over the past 15 years, the proportion of Australian teenagers who drink alcohol has halved. This project aims to understand the drivers of this major shift in teenage drinking behaviour. Initial work has shown that drinking has declined across demographic, socio-economic and cultural groups. This project plans to use mixed methods to analyse new and existing data to examine four potential drivers of this generational change in behaviour. Understanding the reasons behind this shift is important both to expand knowledge about the socio-cultural conditions shaping teenage alcohol consumption practices, and to support and maintain these trends through informed social policy.Read moreRead less
Philanthropy and Indigenous people: Enhancing Indigenous education outcomes. Indigenous Australians suffer a disparity in educational outcomes that frays the social fabric of the nation. While there is abundant evidence that education is empowering and the social and economic benefits of improving educational outcomes are significant, past and current efforts to increase educational attainment and enhance outcomes among the nation's most disadvantaged citizens have not achieved the gains most ex ....Philanthropy and Indigenous people: Enhancing Indigenous education outcomes. Indigenous Australians suffer a disparity in educational outcomes that frays the social fabric of the nation. While there is abundant evidence that education is empowering and the social and economic benefits of improving educational outcomes are significant, past and current efforts to increase educational attainment and enhance outcomes among the nation's most disadvantaged citizens have not achieved the gains most expected. A promising new pathway exists in creative and innovative approaches to the support of Indigenous education by a small number of philanthropic bodies. This research will examine philanthropy in this area and will provide important practical insights of value to the nation.Read moreRead less
Breaking the cycle: the role of housing and support in resolving chronic homelessness. The Australian Government aims to reduce homelessness by half by 2020 and to offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers by 2020. Chronically homeless people are often part of an impoverished underclass, largely excluded from the labour force and other mainstream institutions. This research will lead to improvements in service delivery and program designs and will link them to the wider areas of housi ....Breaking the cycle: the role of housing and support in resolving chronic homelessness. The Australian Government aims to reduce homelessness by half by 2020 and to offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers by 2020. Chronically homeless people are often part of an impoverished underclass, largely excluded from the labour force and other mainstream institutions. This research will lead to improvements in service delivery and program designs and will link them to the wider areas of housing policy and social inclusion. The findings will directly contribute to the National Research Priority, promoting and maintaining good health and the priority goal strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less