Youth & community research

Youth and community studies is a multidisciplinary area of inquiry focused on:

the social inclusion of young people
community development
inclusive and transformational education and social justice.

The Youth and Community Research group encompasses academics from the youth and community teaching programs within the College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT. It also encompasses the Young People & Social Inclusion research group within ISILC.

One Night in Footscray 2019 | Photographer: Shuttermain

Research areas

Youth studies
Youth policy
Professional youth work
Human rights and young people
Community development studies
Professional community work
Informal, non-formal and community education
Social pedagogy
Community justice
Criminal justice and young people
Sociology of education
Sociology of youth
Social justice and social inclusion
Inclusive education
Exclusion – social, political, media, race
Community resilience
Critical disability
Critical discourse
Globalisation and culture
Youth activism
Intercultural relations
Youth identities and belonging
Participatory and creative research approaches

Research projects

Read about our current research into youth and community.

Current research projects

Engendering Positive Alcohol Cultures in University Residences
Gender Equality in University Residences
International Student Health and Wellbeing
Youth Homelessness
Professional Youth Work Practice and Codes of Ethics
Evaluation of Step-Up Program for young people exiting prison
The Academy Classroom Youth Worker Research Project
Building Activist Capacities of Young People through Issue-based campaigns
Mapping young people's social justice concerns: An exploration of voice and action
Youth Voice and Action amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
eSmart Schools Framework outcomes and evaluation
Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC – Diversity and Inclusion, building strength and capability

Student research projects

Jane Hickey ‘Disability and young people’
Sue Zoghaib ‘Culturally Sensitive youth Work’
Bruce Tucker ‘Trauma Informed Youth Work’
David Cronin ‘University Positive Alcohol Cultures’
John Marion ‘ Youth Work and Belonging’
Fran Linardi ‘Young people’s conceptions of wellbeing’
Anita Dewhurst ‘International student health and wellbeing’
Nicola Innes ‘Impact of social enterprise programs on young people’
Narelle Benedict ‘Youth homelessness interventions’
Jacqueline McDermott ‘Young people’s transitions from youth justice’
Stephanie Goatz-Thieis ‘Young people leaving Care’
Eadie Shepard ‘Young People’s Rights at Work’
Marti Martinson ‘Youth participation’
Bryce Lewis ‘Efficacy of a youth-specific Work for the Dole’
Thuy Dong ‘Women workers in garment factories in rural Vietnam’
Ferdousi Anis ‘Education in youth justice: Whose safety? Whose rights?
’ Kelly Harrison ‘Colonial occupation: The impact on Filipino First Nations’ culture and education’
Kristina Glodo ‘Islamophobia in Australian education’
Liz Walker ‘Through the looking glass: Inclusive education in rural Bangladesh’
May Alrudayni ‘How is social media shaping higher education in Saudi Arabia?’
Saleh Alzrahani ‘risk by international students transformed through the first year experience?’
Tahirih Ernesta ‘policy and practice for inclusive education in Saudi Arabia’s higher education’
Carroll Byrne ‘Saudi Arabia’s transition to inclusive education’
Abdallelh Alharbi ‘Psychosocial well-being of Saudi gifted students’
Wafaa Jan ‘Meditation instead of medication; raising the bar for student achievement naturally’