Research in Sociology focus on social processes and structures in Australia and other industrialised countries, and on processes of development in non-Western societies. It aims to develop both theoretical and empirical research skills and encourages both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Areas of sociological interest among staff and graduate students are diverse, but there are concentrations of research activity in education pathways, environmental and rural sociology, food commodity chains and corporate social responsibility, health sociology, risky consumption behaviours including gambling and substance abuse, industrial hazards and safety, social stratification and violence against women.

Current externally funded projects include:

• Gambling
• Public Safety and Security of Supply of Energy Pipelines
• Future Sustainability of Australia’s Mineral Industry, Stream 3 – Regional Minerals Futures: Regions in Transition
• The Social and Environmental Implications of Privately Regulated Food Quality Standards for Agri-Food Networks in Asia-Pacific
• Intimate Partner Abuse of Women in Queensland
• Community, Suburbia And Sustainability
• Active Citizenship of Young People through Electoral Enrolment
• Lost Talent? The Occupational Ambitions and Attainments of Young Australians
• Health, Freedom and Independent Contracting
• Carers of Cancer Patients: Understanding Their Support Service Needs

Current projects:

Gambling Research
Funding body: ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
Contact: Dr Tanya Davidson

Public Safety and Security of Supply of Energy Pipelines
Funding body: Energy Pipelines Cooperative Research Centre (Energy Pipelines CRC) https://www.epcrc.com.au/
Contact: Prof Andrew Hopkins

Future Sustainability of Australia’s Mineral Industry, Stream 3 – Regional Minerals Futures: Regions in Transition
Funding body: CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Research Fund
Partners: Central Queensland University, Curtin University
Contact: Prof Stewart Lockie

The Social and Environmental Implications of Privately Regulated Food Quality Standards for Agri-Food Networks in Asia-Pacific
Funding body: Australian Research Council Discovery Grant
Partners: Bohol Island State University
Contact: Prof Stewart Lockie

Intimate Partner Abuse of Women in Queensland
Funding body: Queensland Department of Communities
Partners: Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University
Contact: Prof Stewart Lockie

Community, Suburbia And Sustainability
Funding body: ACT Planning Authority
Partners: Fenner School of Environment and Society
Contact: Assoc Prof Alastair Greig

Active Citizenship of Young People through Electoral Enrolment
Funding body: Australian Research Council Linkage Grant
Partners: Australian Electoral Commission and the University of Sydney
Contact: Prof Larry Saha,

Lost Talent? The Occupational Ambitions and Attainments of Young Australians
Funding body: LSAY Research Innovation and Expansion Fund
Partners: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Contact: Dr Joanna Sikora and Prof Larry Saha

Health, Freedom and Independent Contracting
Funding body: Australian Research Council Linkage Grant
Partners: University of Melbourne
Contact: Assoc Prof Kevin White

Carers of Cancer Patients: Understanding Their Support Service Needs
Funding body: Cancer Australia
Partners: The Cancer Council ACT
Contact: Rebecca Olson and Assoc Prof Kevin White