Announcement: Andrew Markus AO retiring from Mapping Social Cohesion Series

Published on 04.04.2022

The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute is saddened to announce the retirement of Emeritus Professor Andrew Markus AO as the author of the Mapping Social Cohesion Report.  The annual Mapping Social Cohesion Report will continue and we are delighted that Professor Markus will have an ongoing role with the Foundation as a mentor to the new author, as a member of the Research Committee and to the team at the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute.  

Since 2007, Professor Markus has been the author of this globally recognised, ground-breaking analysis of Australians perceptions of migration, multiculturalism, trust in government and indicators of social cohesion. The exceptional work is the only ongoing study of its kind in the world, charting the Australian population’s views every year. This study has received national and international recognition for this ground breaking research. Markus authored the unparalleled Australia@2015 project. This landmark research initiative included a survey in 20 languages, completed by more than 10,000 respondents, and more than fifty focus groups conducted in four states. More recently, Professor Markus designed and implemented the inaugural Australian Cohesion Index.

Andrew Markus, is an Emeritus Professor at Monash University’s School of International, Historical and Philosophical Studies. His research specialisation is in the field of racial and ethnic relations, ethnic communities, and immigration policy. His first survey of Australian attitudes towards immigrants was conducted in south-east Melbourne in the 1990s. He has led two national surveys on attitudes within the Jewish community. Since 2004 he has been a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. 

Quote from Professor Andrew Markus AO: 
“I have been privileged to work on the Scanlon Foundation’s pioneering social cohesion research, which has made a major contribution to our knowledge of Australian society. I look forward to my involvement in the Foundation’s future initiatives.” 

Quote from Peter Scanlon AO: “Separately from his substantial skills and research integrity, Andrew has developed a unique and deep understanding of the dynamics behind social cohesion. We will miss him as the author and presenter of the annual mapping social cohesion reports. Thank you and congratulations Andrew on your wonderful achievement. We will miss you.” 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof. Andrew Markus for his outstanding work on the Mapping Social Cohesion report series and his tremendous contribution to advancing social cohesion in Australia.