Communication and Change Co-Lab (3C)

Communication and Change Co-Lab (3C)

The Communication & Change Co-Lab (3C) undertakes projects that create change through communication - whether that be social, behavioural, or cultural.

3C believes in the power that communication has to change society for the better. Our focus on applied communication combines theoretical with practical approaches - identifying pathways for change, to promote change and create change on issues that are important to society. 

Our researchers have substantial expertise in the role that communication plays in change within a variety of different disciplines and fields. This has included projects within health communication, the role of communication in engaging broad as well as niche audiences, and the use of social marketing to engage communities on key social issues.

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Recent projects

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Australia Journalism, Trauma and Community

This project seeks to generate new knowledge by transforming our understanding of the relationship between journalism and trauma and the wider implications for the profession and the public.

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New Approaches to Measuring Australia's Creative Workforce - Beyond the Census

This project explores new approaches to measuring Australia’s creative workforce to improve baseline statistics for the creative economy and help governments plan for Australia's growing creative workforce.

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Hoyts History Project

This project undertakes a historical overview of the growth and development of the Hoyts brand and business, as well as their broader connection with Australia and Australian audiences.

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Shop Talk: Exploring the history of Australian department stores

This project aims to gain an insight into the unique history of Australia’s department stores since 1945 by conducting oral history interviews with shoppers as well as those who worked there.

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Communicating Health

Communication beyond one-to-one or group consultations can be a key tool for health professionals.

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Healthy masculinities

Using participatory co-design to define and support healthier masculinities.

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Food security

Food insecurity is a significant public health problem around the world with approximately a quarter of the world’s population experiencing either moderate or severe food insecurity.

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Food waste

Role of packaging in reducing food waste.

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Re-licious

A school-based intervention to reduce adolescents’ food waste.

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Higher Degrees by Research Projects

Find out about our current PhD Projects and learn about how to pursue a Higher Degree by Research through Co-Lab.

Key people

Professor Lukas Parker

Professor Lukas Parker

    Professor Parker is a communication for social change scholar, focused on promoting health and sustainability through social marketing and behaviour change.
    Professor Robert Crawford

    Professor Robert Crawford

      Robert Crawford is a Professor in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University. His research has focused on the growth and development of the advertising, marketing, and public relations industries.
      Professor Alexandra Wake

      Professor Alexandra Wake

        Professor Wake’s research is at the nexus of journalism practice, journalism education, equality and international engagement.
        Professor Rob Cover

        Professor Rob Cover

          Rob Cover is Professor of Digital Communication at RMIT. He leads a number of major funded research projects on young people, health and wellbeing and digital and broadcast media.
          Professor Lisa Waller

          Professor Lisa Waller

            Professor Lisa Waller's research and teaching centres on digital journalism. Her current projects concentrate on the role of media, journalism and social media activism in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
            A/Professor Scott Brook

            A/Professor Scott Brook

              Associate Professor Scott Brook is a communication and cultural studies researcher and teacher with a focus on work in the Creative and Cultural Industries. He has expertise in sociological approaches creative vocations and the cultural field, including qualitative and quantitative approaches to studying creative labour.
              Dr Jenny Robinson

              Dr Jenny Robinson

                Dr Jenny Robinson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Media & Communication. Her research expertise is digital health solutions, especially in relation to young adults and children.
                Dr Leah Li

                Dr Leah Li

                  Xiufang (Leah) Li is a senior lecturer with research and teaching sitting at the nexus of public relations and digital communication. She has led research projects and published in Public Relations Review and the European Journal of Cultural Studies.
                  A/Professor Diana Bossio

                  A/Professor Diana Bossio

                    Associate Professor Diana Bossio's research focuses on journalism studies, with current research addressing journalism practice on image-based social media platforms, well-being in journalism and regulation of social media platforms around news content. 
                    Dr Jay Daniel Thompson

                    Dr Jay Daniel Thompson

                      Dr Jay Daniel Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Professional Communication degree. He researches the imbrications of journalism, disinformation, digital hostility and media ethics.
                      Dr David Micallef

                      Dr David Micallef

                        David Micallef is a senior lecturer in public relations at RMIT and brings over 20 years industry experience. David focuses his research on the intersection of social marketing and new media channels to engage hard-to-reach audiences.

                        Associate Members

                        Dr Juan Feng

                        Dr Juan Feng

                          Juan Feng is a lecturer in Public Relations at the School of Media and Communication. Her current research investigates stakeholder engagement in nation/place branding and social marketing using mixed methods.
                          Associate Professor TJ Thomson

                          Associate Professor TJ Thomson

                            TJ Thomson is an Associate Professor in the School of Media and Communication. His research focuses on visual communication in news, journalism, and digital media.
                            Dr Lily van Eeden

                            Dr Lily van Eeden

                              Dr Lily van Eeden is a lecturer in environmental sciences in the RMIT School of Science. Her research explores the human dimensions of nature conservation, seeking to address the biodiversity crisis through an understanding of people and their behaviour.
                              Dr Damien O’Meara

                              Dr Damien O’Meara

                                Damien O’Meara is a Lecturer, Public relations at RMIT and an experienced communications strategist. His current research examines communication practice, audience, and gender and sexuality in creative and entertainment industries.
                                Dr Nhat Tram Phan-Le

                                Dr Nhat Tram Phan-Le

                                  Dr Nhat Tram Phan-Le is a lecturer in Advertising at the School of Media and Communication. Her research explores the impact of ethical mindfulness and other religious and cultural practices on consumer behaviour.
                                  Dr Shima Saniei

                                  Dr Shima Saniei

                                    Shima Saniei is a lecturer in the School of Media and Communication. Her research focuses on public relations, community-led communication, and social advocacy.
                                    A/Professor Long Nguyen

                                    A/Professor Long Nguyen

                                      Associate Professor Long Nguyen's research focuses on the development of key opinion leaders in health communication. Long also serves as a media expert on Vietnam's creative industry development.
                                      Dr Dooyeon Park

                                      Dr Dooyeon Park

                                        Dr. Dooyeon Park is a lecturer in the School of Media and Communication. Her research examines how consumers engage with persuasive communication in digital media, focusing on persuasion knowledge and cognitive, emotional, and behavioural response mechanisms.
                                        Dr Joanne Kuai

                                        Dr Joanne Kuai

                                          Dr Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow at RMIT University. Her research explores the intersection of media, technologies, and governance, with a particular focus on journalistic AI, institutional change, and the state-tech relations.
                                          Emeritus Professor Linda Brennan

                                          Emeritus Professor Linda Brennan

                                            Emeritus Professor Brennan’s research interests are social and government marketing, and especially the influence of marketing communications and advertising on behaviour.
                                            A/Professor Giannina Warren

                                            A/Professor Giannina Warren

                                              Associate Professor Warren is an expert in place branding and strategic communication, advancing city branding, policy and communication capability.
                                              Dr Sharon Smith

                                              Dr Sharon Smith

                                                Dr Smith’s research is at the intersection of journalism, trauma, burnout and stress, particularly when journalists are newsbearers and victims of the same event.
                                                Dr Diem-Trang Vo

                                                Dr Diem-Trang Vo

                                                  Dr. Vo’s research explores the ethical and social implications of emerging technologies, focusing on authenticity in human–AI collaboration, digital care labour, and social justice in digital environments.

                                                  Research partnerships

                                                  Football Victoria logo
                                                  Cancer council Victoria logo
                                                  VACCHO logo
                                                  Australian Conservation Foundation
                                                  Sustainability Victoria logo
                                                  Family Planning Victoria logo
                                                  Pacific Environment logo
                                                  Victoria State Government Families, Fairness and Housing logo
                                                  U3A Network Victoria University of the Third Age logo
                                                  Portrait of Outdoor Media Association
                                                  Portrait of Bendigo Woollen Mills
                                                  End Food Waste Australia logo
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                                                  Contact us

                                                  For more information on 3C contact us at: 3C@rmit.edu.au.

                                                  Email us
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                                                  Acknowledgement of Country

                                                  RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

                                                  Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples