Social Change Platform

Social Change Platform

Social change research makes sense of people’s experiences, locally and globally, to inform government policy, business practices, designs of digital systems, educational practices, community-based initiatives, and other innovations that benefit and strengthen society.

Social change research is inherently interdisciplinary and focuses on making an impact in the world. Our research takes a human-focused approach to society’s most pressing challenges. We work across diverse populations, settings, and social contexts to identify and understand people’s needs and to engage with individuals, groups, and organisations to foster evidence-based change.

The Social Change Platform focuses on transformative research in four key areas: digital society; quality of life; global mobility; and research practice for social change.

Portrait of Lisa Given

Our vision

Professor Lisa Given
Director, RMIT Social Change Platform

“Community engagement is a critical pathway to societal research impact. In the social sciences and humanities, we collaborate across disciplines and co-design our research programs and activities with our communities to foster adoption of innovations.”

Read about Lisa's research

Creating impact

Read some examples of collaborative projects supported by the Social Change Platform and how it has supported RMIT researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to solve issues.

Society 5.0: Technology Innovation, Ethics & Human Rights – Charting a New Frontier at RMIT
Professors Annette Markham and Lisa Given are leading a project to facilitate global discussions to lead ethical decision-making for the next generation of new technologies.
Read full case study
Illustration of person looking into mirror of tree lined path

On our own terms – developing lived experience advocacy and leadership for social sector systems change

'On our own terms’ is an opportunity to hold space for conversations about what is being experienced in the landscape of lived experience advocacy and leadership across Australia.

Coffee cup in leafy cafe

Case Study | RMIT’s Wasted Café – a zero waste initiative

Cafe Lab will turn surplus, rescued food into delicious meals for the community, with zero waste.

ecp-directors-1920_julian-thomas-sc.jpg

Researcher story | Julian Thomas

Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas uses terms like "ripple effects" and "continuous conversations" to describe the workings of the Social Change Platform and the success of his ARC Centre of Excellence, Automated Decision-Making and Society.

Research and innovation priorities

Transformations in Digital Society

What are the social, economic, and cultural consequences of digital transformations in our communities, workplaces, and in everyday life? This includes exploring:

  • How to improve digital inclusion, address digital biases, and use technological interventions for public good
  • How to harness new technologies to stimulate an innovative and vibrant economy
  • How to foster adoption of digital innovations in our homes and workplaces
Transformations in Quality of Life

How can we understand and help shape possible futures for human health, well-being, and overall quality of life? This includes exploring:

  • How to design the best quality service systems and infrastructure to meet the needs of individuals and communities
  • How to contribute to new forms of primary intervention (for instance, in relation to gendered violence or climate change)
  • How to harness our social and cultural institutions to support learning and human connectedness, across the lifespan
Transformations in Global Mobility

What are the economic, cultural, and social implications of increasing global mobility and our changing experiences of place and displacement? This includes exploring:

  • How to foster international connections in a post-pandemic world
  • How to manage the impact of relocation and migration on social identities, networks, and political communities
  • How to improve policies and practices in migration, settlement, and related areas
Transformations in Research Practice for Social Change

How can we understand researchers’ needs and capacity for engaging in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and impact-focused research? This includes exploring:

  • How to prepare researchers and organisations for community-engaged practices that support adoption of innovations
  • How to measure success of community engagement, research translation, co-design, and other impact-related practices
  • How to design and support open research practices appropriate for various disciplines and impact contexts (e.g., communities; governments; workplaces)

Aligned networks and centres

Want to find out more about the Social Change Platform?

Explore our Enabling Impact Platforms

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.

More information