Researching critical social issues

The Social Policy Research Centre makes a positive impact through independent and leading research that tackles critical social issues.

Our research

We're dedicated to tackling critical social issues through research with a focus on poverty, inequality, wellbeing and justice. Explore our research areas to learn more.

Our people

Our researchers are leaders in their fields, with a strong reputation in the academic community, lending authority to our work and influence to public debate.

Our projects

We focus on projects that enhance the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Our research enlightens public debate and enhances policy formation, both nationally and internationally.

Want to study with the Social Policy Research Centre?

Australia’s labour market remains highly segregated: UNSW report

Efforts to reduce segregation by gender in Australia’s labour market face persistent resistance, say researchers for the Fair Work Commission.

Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Social Affairs

Novel drugs are leading to rising overdose deaths in Victoria – drug checking services could help

Drug checking services could also provide an early warning system to flag any unusually dangerous substances in circulation.

School of Public Health and Community Medicine Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Prescription drugs Health Social Policy Research Centre

The disability royal commission delivers its findings today. We must all listen to end violence, abuse and neglect

The disability royal commission has heard from thousands of people with disability and their families. But the response must involve everyone.

Disability services Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Social Affairs Social Policy Research Centre

As states weigh legalising cannabis, here’s what they can learn from growers in Canberra

Cannabis growers in the capital report many obstacles, from purchasing seeds to the lack of information on growing conditions.

School of Public Health and Community Medicine Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Centre for Social Research in Health Health Social Policy Research Centre

Meet Viv: an AI character fostering companionship for people with dementia

With a view to improving the lives of people living with dementia, UNSW researchers have come up with a world-first: an AI driven companion.

Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Big Anxiety Research Centre Social Affairs

UNSW experts available to comment on COP28

A range of UNSW experts will be able to comment on key themes relating to COP28, which will be held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December.

Law & Justice Engineering Science Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) UNSW Canberra City Campus Inside UNSW Business School Science & Tech UNSW Canberra Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) Climate change Global warming Medicine & Health

5 ways to cool cities as temperatures soar

As Australia heads into an El Nino summer, UNSW’s Dr Negin Nazarian, an expert in urban climate, explains 5 crucial strategies to keep cities – and people – cooler.

General Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) Climate change

UNSW celebrates 33 highly cited researchers among world’s most influential

Top academics from over ten fields have been named on Clarivate’s 2023 list of Highly Cited Researchers.

General Engineering Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Science UNSW Canberra City Campus UNSW Canberra Medicine & Health

Our Acknowledgement of Country

UNSW Sydney’s Kensington campus is built on the land of the Aboriginal people. We pay our respects to the Bedegal people of the Eora nation who are the Custodians of this land.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians, whose lands, winds and waters we all now share, and pay respect to their unique values, and their continuing and enduring cultures which deepen and enrich the life of our nation and communities.