Governments, academics and communities have defined social cohesion through multiple, overlapping lenses. This paper aims to identify tensions in current definitional frameworks. It seeks to inform policy discussions on how to operationalise social cohesion as part of a wider system approach. The paper summarises four international case studies and measurement approaches, including Australia.

Australian higher education is internationally competitive, yet domestically strained and politically contested. This paper examines how Australians perceive their universities and how those perceptions connect to democratic resilience – the capacity of a democratic system to sustain informed participation, institutional trust, social inclusion and collective learning. Three findings are especially salient for democratic resilience.

The issue of targeted disinformation and harassment of local elected representatives is a local manifestation of broader societal trends. This report considers how harassment of local elected representatives is enabled by new technologies and capabilities to manipulate information. It recommends enhanced regulatory protections, including a holistic response model.

Migration is a complex topic for public debate. Net Overseas Migration (NOM), the difference between arrivals and departures, is a core driver of population change. This paper argues that the recent surge and subsequent fall in NOM in Australia are best understood as the delayed adjustment of a demand driven migration system after an unprecedented...

Young people with disabilities and young carers describe how being genuinely listened to shapes their sense of respect, safety, and support. This report highlights gaps in everyday interactions and shows that stronger listening cultures can improve their experiences. The report offers guidance for organisations and individuals to build more responsive, inclusive practices that prioritise young...