Publications Index

This report presents findings from the latest Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion Survey. The report builds on the knowledge gained through the fifteen earlier national surveys (2007, 2009-22).

In our eleventh narrative, journalist Peter Mares sheds light on the challenges faced by thousands of distressed families caught in parent visa processing delays.

Through the voices of six individuals, Senior Research Trish Prentice explores the issue of labelling in relation to cultural identity and considers whether it’s time for change.

In our tenth narrative, well-respected higher education journalist John Ross considers the opportunity for secondary schools to help create stronger, more connected communities.

This report presents the findings of the latest Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion national surveys. The report builds on the knowledge gained through the fourteen earlier national surveys (2007, 2009-21).

In our ninth narrative, author Caroline Zielinski explores if there is a fair and equitable inclusion of migrant communities in Australia’s political system.

In this essay, Senior Research Trish Prentice unpacks the topic of political participation and explores whether Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds engage differently with our nation’s political system.

In our latest Narrative, authors Rick Morton and Trish Prentice unpack the cultural blindspots found within the aged care system and address alternative ways that institutions can respond to the needs of a diverse and ageing population within Australia.

This report presents the findings of the latest Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion national surveys. The report builds on the knowledge gained through the fourteen earlier national surveys (2007, 2009-20).

In the face of large-scale immigration and change, author James Button talks with the proud residents of Blacktown, NSW.

In this essay, Trish Prentice shares the stories of emergency service volunteers from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds who are making an impact out in the field and paving the way for broader institutional change.

In this essay, Trish Prentice explores the stories of small business owners from diverse cultural backgrounds, each of whom have added to the richness, character and uniqueness of their neighbourhood.

There has been considerable growth over the past 20 years in migration from Asia. Chinese-Australians have been a part of this growth. In many respects, though, the stories of Asian Australians have not been told. However in the streets of Box Hill – a suburb in Melbourne’s east with one of the highest concentrations of Chinese-born residents in Australia – we can sense an emerging pride.

About the research

This report presents the findings of the latest Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion national surveys, conducted in July and November 2020. The report builds on the knowledge gained through the twelve earlier national surveys (2007, 2009-19), which provide the context for interpretation.

Using a survey of more than 140 questions to gauge a nuanced understanding of shifts in public opinion on social cohesion and population issues, the 2020 survey results demonstrate Australia’s strength and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this essay for the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, Trish Prentice explores what it is like to grow up in an intermarried family in Australia and how these families are changing the cultural worldview of the next generation of Australians.

The COVID-19 lockdowns of Melbourne’s high-rise towers have painted a picture of a community in crisis. But what is life really like in “the Flats”? A generation of young African-Australians grew up in public housing. Their confident voices shed new light on a rapidly changing nation.

Six months ago, no one had heard of the coronavirus. Now, several months into the pandemic, much of our daily lives have been transformed by its spread. In Australia, religious communities were one part of society expressly impacted by the ‘lockdown’ directives introduced to stem the spread of the virus. This essay describes the ramifications of the closure for some of Australia’s religious communities and considers what might be the long-term impact of the lockdown and our new social reality on the way these communities contribute to social cohesion in Australia.

While the economic risks of declining international student enrolments have been recently reported, this narrative explores how the divide between Australia and its Chinese students, exacerbated by broader political tensions arising from the “China debate,” also pose a threat to social cohesion – both on campus and beyond.

About the research

This report presents the findings of the twelfth Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion national survey, conducted in July-August 2019. The report builds on the knowledge gained through the eleven earlier national surveys (2007, 2009-18), which provide the context for interpretation.

Australia’s diverse culture is one of its most defining characteristics. In an era of globalisation, where ‘global citizens’ are on the rise and immigration continues to be a prominent issue in the news cycle, it is timely and important to consider public attitudes about a changing and increasingly diverse society, and how this affects our social cohesion.

This research seeks to identify and explore issues and challenges that influence social cohesion, and examine how different parts of society are responding to them.

This narrative explores the current landscape of English language learning among migrants and refugees in Australia and, in particular, examines the state of Australia's Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

Australia's temporary migrants are not officially part of the nation, but they are changing it.

Learn about our on-going, independent, primary research program undertaken in conjunction with Monash University and the Australian Multicultural Foundation.

This paper for the Scanlon Institute for Applied Social Cohesion Research draws on recent research and writing from Australian and international universities, think tanks and media to shed light on the great transformation that mass migration is producing in nearly all western societies, along with great anxiety in some.

In its tenth year, the Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion Report has reinforced Australia’s consistently high level of support for immigration and cultural diversity.

Despite an ageing population, the number of young people (12-25 years) in Australia is steadily growing, predicted to rise by approximately 50% by 2050.

The 2016 Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion Survey is the ninth survey undertaken in an annual series, which – for the first time in Australian national social research – provides detailed longitudinal data on social cohesion, immigration and population issues.

Communities are crucial as they are key to building and maintaining a sense of belonging and contribute to our sense of support and self-worth.

Australians Today highlights findings of the largest ever survey of people born in Australia and recent migrants, on their experience of Australian life. More than 10,000 respondents completed the survey across 20 languages. The report outlines public attitudes to key issues, by pathway of immigration and country of origin. While Australia is generally considered as a good country for migrants, analysis of the findings is not positive across all groups, with some experiencing high levels of dissatisfaction and discrimination.

The Scanlon Foundation surveys, together with a number of international indicators, find that Australia remains a stable and highly cohesive society.

Australia is proudly a diverse, multicultural society, and one that has experienced significant population growth in recent years. A large proportion – close to 60 per cent of that growth between 2000 and 2013 – can be attributed to immigration.

Australia remains a highly cohesive society with upward movement in four of the five domains of social cohesion, the exception the domain of social justice and equity.

This report presents the findings of the sixth Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion national survey, conducted in July 2013.

This report presents the findings of the fifth Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion national survey conducted in June–July 2012. A separate report covers the 2012 local surveys.

The 2011 survey was conducted at a time of economic recovery, in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis whose impact in Australia was relatively minor.

The survey was conducted at a time of improved economic activity, with a decline in the level of unemployment from 5.6% to 5.2% between December 2009 and June 2010.

The 2009 survey was conducted in a period of declining economic confidence, with predictions that Australia, along with all Western economies, would face the most severe challenges since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The Scanlon Foundation Surveys (2007) adopted a wide-ranging approach to enable consideration of fi ve key elements relating to attitudes, reported experience and behaviour.