Research in the news

Professor Christopher Pettit from the City Futures Research Centre discusses the benefits of a high-speed rail network along Australia’s east coast. From its potential to ease population pressures in Sydney and Melbourne to driving regional development, he notes the project is a “no brainer” for Australia’s future infrastructure.

Professor Christopher Pettit from the City Futures Research Centre discusses the Housing Analytics Lab’s Precinct Feasibility Explorer (PFE) – a real-time tool that models how zoning changes affect development. He notes the PFE helps bridge information gaps between developers and planners, reducing the "fragmented" approach to city planning.

Demand for tiny homes is rising as young Australians are increasingly priced out of traditional housing. While suitable for some, Associate Professor Laura Crommelin from the School of Built Environment warns they don't solve generational inequity, urging: “We need to look much more holistically at how housing markets are working."

A month after the federal government expanded its first homebuyer scheme, some Australians fear it won’t improve their chances of buying. As analysts warn the initiative will increase demand and prices, Dr Chris Martin from the City Futures Research Centre highlights the "increased purchasing power" mainly benefits existing property owners.

Should fatalities and injuries in horseracing be cut from replay footage? Associate Professor Nick Apoifis from the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture notes that while editing “may seem compassionate,” it also risks concealing "uncomfortable truths" about the industry from the public.

One of Sydney’s most celebrated eco-friendly skyscrapers is showing defects a decade after construction. Associate Professor Paul Osmond from the School of Built Environment notes the building has been "quite inspirational" in sparking discussion on green design, but warns more attention is needed on the "lifecycle of ... green infrastructure."

Documents have revealed over 100 NSW childcare centres have reported 118 incidents of child-on-child sexual abuse. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences highlights that this type of abuse is often not taken seriously due to "a lack of ... broad-ranging protections for kids".

Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences discusses the rise in child-on-child sexual abuse in childcare centres, noting such cases are "becoming increasingly prevalent." He stresses that effective supervision in daycare is "critical" to preventing harmful behaviours. [Timestamp 42:09]

Child-on-child sexual abuse cases are being increasingly reported in understaffed childcare centres. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences notes a "significant increase" in such cases over the last two decades, warning young children are now "more at risk of being sexually abused by another child than they are by an adult."

Boutique laundromats are growing across Australia, offering features like free wifi, vibrant interiors, and contactless payment. Professor Hoon Han from the School of Built Environment highlights they reflect a wider adoption of autonomous business models that "provide more private, individualised experiences".

Canadian researchers have revealed that the dark web is increasingly being used by paedophiles to share strategies for infiltrating childcare centres. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences warns: "The offenders are giving us the picture ... They are telling us that we have a massive problem."

A Coles in Melbourne's Prahran has begun playing opera outside its store to curb antisocial behaviour. Professor Emery Schubert from the School of the Arts & Media explains that playing "specialised genres” can influence public spaces by attracting some listeners and deterring others. [Timestamp 19:57]

Adele Ferguson's 'Hunting Ground' investigates widespread sexual abuse in Australia’s childcare sector. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences stresses the need for urgent reform: “We are at a historic moment … we have an opportunity now to get this right.”

After a successful petition, a group of Eastern Suburbs parents have secured a selective STEM class at Waverley Public School. Professor Jae Jung from the School of Education notes the move reflects “a perceived community need” and growing local demand from parents and students.

An increasing number of child sex dolls are being shipped into Australia, with retailers such as Temu and Shein using misleading descriptions to bypass import bans. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences emphasises there is “no evidence” the use of such dolls prevents offending.

Professor Christopher Pettit from the City Futures Research Centre discusses the federal government’s plans for a high-speed rail network along Australia’s east coast by 2060. He notes a high-speed train is not only "a viable option” but should also be “the project of choice” for the nation.

Community and disability sector workers are protesting against proposed Fair Work Commission changes that could dramatically cut wages. Associate Professor Natasha Cortis from the Social Policy Research Centre notes the proposal fails to reflect the sectors' diversity, emphasising “the principle that all care work is the same just doesn’t hold.”

Australia’s first Climate Risk Assessment has revealed nationwide adaptation shortfalls, with northern communities hardest hit. Professor Matthaios Santamouris from the School of Built Environment emphasises mitigation must be a “number one priority” due to the severe social costs of rising temperatures. [Timestamp 14:21]

Experts warn Australian schools aren’t adequately training teachers to detect grooming and predatory behaviour. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences warns sexual misconduct in schools remains a "national blind spot" due to a "massive lack of research and transparency".

As temperatures rise, regions in northern Australia are struggling to adapt to climate change. Professor Matthaios Santamouris from the School of Built Environment urges local governments to prioritise heat-mitigation measures, stressing that “we have the technology … to improve quality of life immediately, and with very low cost.”

Professor Alison Bashford from the School of Humanities & Languages joins Conversations to discuss her latest book Decoding the hand, which explores how palmistry influenced science and medicine. She notes that figures like Newton and Darwin studied hands, calling palmistry “the history of medicine and science rather than fringe.”

Child safety advocates are backing a QLD teacher's calls for grooming prevention training in schools. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences emphasises schools across Australia must do more to "detect and eject" male child abusers.

A QLD teacher is urging the state government to increase mandatory training for teachers and students to prevent predatory behaviour. Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences emphasises nationwide improvements are needed to close the "massive gap" in current programs.

Dr Yuvisthi Naidoo from the Social Policy Research Centre discusses the findings of the Poverty in Australia 2025: Overview report. She notes that the depth of poverty is "getting worse" for those already below the poverty line and that government's recent increases to income support payments are "just not enough".