Human society

Exploring just, liveable and resilient societies

Macquarie is making significant contributions to important social science and security research, advocacy, policy, and theory.

Our researchers contribute to fields including diversity in contemporary society, human-environment relations in a time of climate change, changing urban life, and inequality in work and wellbeing.

Areas of specialisation

Learn more about our research strengths.

Research collectives

Facilities

Macquarie’s human society activities support the Cyber Intelligence Lab and our research hubs:

• Art Ethnography Research Lab
• Australian Basic Income Lab
• Microethnography Lab
• Shadow Places Network
• Social Policy Evaluation Lab

Research highlights

Through our research centres and labs, human society researchers at Macquarie are making significant contributions to more just, liveable and resilient societies. We work in partnership with industry, civil society, governments and policy makers to co-design and heighten the impacts of our work.

Aged care policy engagement – we provide impact and substantial engagement with providers and policymakers in aged care, especially around issues of privatisation, quality assurance, and superannuation policy.

Emerging criminal and security threats – Macquarie research has also influenced policymakers in the areas of counter violence extremism (CVE), including through collaboration with the federal Attorney General’s Department, NSW Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, NSW Police, and Multiculturalsim, NSW, among others.

Bawaka Collective – Our projects with Australian Indigenous communities include the Bawaka Collective, a long-term research collaboration with the Burarrwanga family from Bawaka homeland. In addition to 24 articles, many co-authored with Indigenous collaborators, the Collective has produced the book, Welcome to My Country.

Our collaborations – Macquarie researchers provide submissions and appearances at government enquiries, create award winning research publications targeting the general public, ongoing collaborations with Indigenous groups and civil society organisations, and contract research addressing difficult issues facing governments and industry.

We play an active role in social change, regularly featuring in media stories and op eds, influencing public discourse about important social issues.

Research news

Read more about the breakthroughs happening in the areas of research relating to human society.