Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture
Understanding Poverty, Inequality and Social Disadvantage in Australia
Advance beyond the research with evidence-based policy solutions and actively lead social change.
Advance beyond the research with evidence-based policy solutions and actively lead social change.
Dedicated to shaping awareness of social welfare issues, the Social Policy Research Centre at ÁñÁ«¹ÙÍø Sydney places a strong emphasis on research in areas such as poverty, inequality, wellbeing, and justice.
Through a concentrated approach grounded in research and practical impact,Ìýthis specialised short course builds on the research and findings of the Poverty and Inequality Partnership (PIP) with ACOSS to examine the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality. It offers a unique Australian policy perspective, utilising evidence-based methodologies to drive meaningful social change.
Join a community of experts with lived experience, advocates, and researchers committed to improving the living standards and opportunities of people living in Australia facing social and economic disadvantage.
Together, let's make a lasting impact and build a more equitable future for people living in Australia, regardless of their circumstances.
Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture
Social Policy Research Centre
Online
10 October 2024
7 weeks
37.5 hours
$500 - $1295
This course offers a distinctive viewpoint by combining the insights of individuals with lived experiences, advocates, and researchers, all striving to improve the well-being and opportunities for people living in Australia experiencing social and economic disadvantage.Ìý
You'll delve into varied topics to enrich your comprehension of the primary drivers influencing poverty, inequality, and social disadvantage, whilst examining the transformative potential of actionable policies in instigating positive social change.
Learners will gain knowledge and skills relating to:
Additionally, this course will explore the complex interation between economic resources, employment, housing, health and broader social policy systems. It will also destigmatise the concepts of poverty, inequality, and social disadvantage to provide a contemporary perspective on what these issues look like in the specific context of Australia.
Throughout the course, you will explore recent scholarly research, participate in activities designed to encourage debate and discussion, and emerge with the knowledge and skills to shape policies aimed at supporting people facing social and economic disadvantage.
The course will be delivered online with a combination of live sessions and self-paced modules spread across 7 weeks, inclusive of a 1-week study break.
The online platform will be accessible one week before the start date, providing pre-learning materials for participants to prepare ahead of the first live lecture.
Live Lecture Dates
All live lectures are scheduled from 6:00pm to 8:15pm Australian (Sydney) time, with a 15-minute break included.
Professionals, advocates and researchers working in social policy across the for-profit, not-for-profit and government sectors or individuals with an interest inÌýsupporting their organisation’s advocacy for social change in Australia.
Course Conveners
Dr Yuvisthi Naidoo is aÌýSenior Research Fellow at the Social Policy Research Centre. She is an internationally recognised expert on the measurement and understanding of living standards. Her research program has direct policy relevance to improve the lives of socially and economically disadvantaged people. As an experienced mixed-method researcher, Yuvisthi’s projects have provided an evidence-base across a broad range of critical social policy issues, including poverty and inequality; deprivation and social exclusion; costs of living and well-being. Applying these research foci across the life course, Yuvisthi has published on ageing societies, social security recipients, gender equity and the status of children and families.
Dr Bruce BradburyÌýis an Associate Professor at the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC). Bruce undertakes research on poverty and inequality, the measurement of living standards, income support and labour market policies, consumer equivalence scales, and the geographic dimensions of social policies.
In 2023, Drs Naidoo and Bradbury collaborated on the Budget Standards for Low-Paid Families research project, funded by the Fair Work Commission.
The Poverty and Inequality Partnership (PIP) is a unique research-and-impact collaboration between ACOSS and ÁñÁ«¹ÙÍø Sydney to sharpen the national focus on poverty and inequality in Australia. The partnership monitors trends in poverty and inequality over time, explores drivers, and develops solutions to sharpen the focus and stimulate action to tackle policy challenges.
This course encompasses the research and findings of the Poverty and Inequality Partnership. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with representatives from ACOSS.
Find out more here:
I loved this course for the presenters, solid overview of theoretical concepts, and interesting readings. It was great for understanding the breadth of social policy issues that intersect with poverty and inequality, and where to pull levers for impact – it’s provided foundational knowledge that will be with me for life. A HUGE thank you to all involved – it was exceptional!
I would recommend this course to others as not only did it help build my knowledge base, but it also provides a great theoretical understanding to bring to the work we do. I enjoyed the lectures and opportunities to hear from fellow students about challenges they were facing and the discussions on how the course materials applied to real-world cases.Ìý
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