Young people & inclusion research

The overriding interest of this research group is the educational and social inclusion of young people who tend to be excluded from success in schooling and from achieving a sense of belonging.

Research focus

Research undertaken by this group focuses on the capacity to build community resilience and connectedness of children and young people:

  • in contact with youth justice systems
  • from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds
  • of colour
  • from diverse backgrounds
  • with chronic health conditions
  • with negative experiences at school – e.g. bullying, cyberbullying, wellbeing and social exclusion.

Systems level investigation and advice takes place in collaboration with:

  • Youth justice sector
  • Department of Education and Training Victoria
  • Department of Justice and Community Safety
  • Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre
  • Alannah & Madeline Foundation
  • Flexible Learning and Inclusive Education sector

Research areas

  • Sociology of Education
  • Inclusive Education
  • Exclusion – social, political, media
  • Youth Justice
  • Social Justice
  • Race
  • Community resilience
  • Critical Disability
  • Critical Discourse
  • Globalisation and Culture

Research projects

Read about our current projects and publications.

Staff & students

Find out about our team and read our researcher biographies via the links.

Partners, funders & collaborators

We collaborate with fellow researchers within and external to the University, and high-profile justice and education institutes.