Honours Program, School of Social Sciences

Description

Community gardens are a community-building intervention used in the Illawarra and beyond. These proposed research seeks to answer a number of questions: What could be their benefits of community gardens on people's well-being?  How and to what extend do they build a sense of community and connection? Can they result in negative experiences, what and how? 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor:

Nandini Ray 

Co-supervisors:

Rugare Mugumbate
Indigenous scholar (to be discussed if a student is found)
Supervisor in Public Health, Social Sciemce or Geography (to be discussed if a student is found)  

External Stakeholders 

Dapto community farm

Discipline 

All

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Qualitative 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Data collection
• Literature review
• Analysis
• Ethics planning 

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Community work and community health

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

• Weekly communication via emails
• Fortnightly meetings
• Literature Resources
• Research Mentorship

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

This project would be most appropriate for a student with an interest in community work and in examining the ways in which the natural environment shapes individuals’ sense of connection, interpersonal relationships, mental health, and overall wellbeing. 

Description

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are currently preparing a range of new trails in the Illawarra Escarpment – a region of unique subtropical rainforest adjacent to the Sydney water catchment with a mixed heritage of agriculture, mining, logging and settlement. 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor:

Thomas Birtchnell 

External Stakeholders 

NPWS

Discipline 

Geography

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Qualitative interviews, Fieldsite observation, focus groups 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Fieldwork expertise;
• ethical applications;
• arboriculture and horticulture;
• expertise on mobility and leisure pursuits;
• legislation and policies for transport, 
• conservation, and the environment

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

• environmental management,
• council and town planning,
• management consultancy,
• conservation or bush regeneration,
• transport and logistics planning
• and leisure and tourism roles. 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

Mediation with existing contacts at NPWS, mentorship on undertaking research fieldwork, methodological assistance and liaison support with stakeholders. 

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

All are welcome

Experiences of private rental housing and aspirations for homeownership among 20-29 year olds in Wollongong, Australia 

Description

The affordability of housing for young adults is a significant social and economic challenge. The problem of accessing and securing affordable housing is also connected to employment opportunities. How young adults in mid-sized industrial cities navigate these challenges is poorly understood. Drawing on quantitative (basic statistics) and qualitative (interview) methods, this place-based project will document the experiences, perceptions and aspirations of young adults (20-29) as they negotiate contemporary housing markets. The project will reveal emerging trends in housing demand in regional cities, as well as patterns of housing and employment marginalisation and implications for the meanings of home. 

Primary supervisor: 

Andrew Warren

Co-supervisors:  

Nicole Cook 

External Stakeholders 

N/A

Discipline 

Geography

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

The project’s methods will be designed in consultation with the student. Methods are likely to include basic quantitative analysis of changes to housing costs and tenure by age using ABS Tablebuilder and HILDA data on home ownership rates across younger age groups; Qualitative interviews with young people about housing and employment experiences, perceptions and aspirations and/or an online survey of young people living in Wollongong/the Illawarra region. 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

Ethics, literature review, original research design, methods, data collection, analysis, thesis writing, interviewing, statistical analysis, qualitative data analysis, research synthesis and presentation skills.  

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Housing and urban research (consultancies and Govt. departments), housing and urban policy, development and property sector, urban and regional planning with local councils/government and consultancies; higher degree research (PhD). 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

One-hour meetings each week from Jan-October 

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

GEOG241 (D or HD), average D in GEOG subjects 

Description

This Honours project sits within a larger research project that aims to understand:

• how people of diverse backgrounds value the coast;  
• how values are changing over time; and  
• how coastal values are likely to be affected by sea-level rise and adaptation solutions.  

This project will try to overcome biases of past research by specifically seeking the views of migrants, youth and renters. The Honours project will involve undertaking up to 25 semi-structured interviews with people who live in Batemans Bay, NSW. Preferably, the interviews will be undertaken face-to-face but may also be completed online. The data on coastal values will be compared with an Honours project completed in 2012 to see how coastal values have changed over time.  
See the earlier research that inspired this Honours project. 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Sonia Graham

Co-supervisors:  

Leah Gibbs

External Stakeholders 

Local Council

Discipline 

Social Sciences and Grography

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

• Interviews (qualitative)
• Non-participant observation
• Document analysis 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Literature review  
• Qualitative data collection and analysis
• Use of NVivo qualitative data analysis software
• Academic writing skills 

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

• Community engagement and outreach
• Working in research
• Pathway to HDR 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

You will receive regular supervision meetings and feedback on your work. 
Assuming that you have made a significant contribution to the analysis and writing, you will be offered an opportunity to be a co-author on the resulting paper.  

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

A student with an interest in community engagement and climate change adaptation  

A student who is willing to talk to people they have never met before  

Description

A project for students of human geography interested in human relationships with urban trees. 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Jennifer Atchison

Co-supervisors: 

To be confirmed

External Stakeholders 

Wollongogn City Council

Discipline 

Social Scinces and Geography

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Qualitative data; survey and/or interview data 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

Qualitative research skills, natural resource management, urban tree management and social conflict, community and stakeholder engagement, project management. 

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Natural resource management, environmental officer, social research consultant, community education and liaison officer. 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

This project is part of a larger Australian Research Council funded project on conflict in urban human tree relationships. It examines why trees are important to urban dwellers and how positive relationships between people and trees can be understood and enhanced. Students can read more about the bigger project on the project website.

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

A student with a passion for understanding human nature relationships and social conflict. A student interested in exploring the social dimensions of natural resource management. A student interested in the implications of climate change for urban communities. Pre-reqs: Geog336. 

Description

The aim of this study is to review currently available beauty apps, which are mobile applications designed to evaluate, rate, or modify images of people. Increasingly, beauty app developers claim that they are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve app features. These apps raise concerns about the negative impact on body image.  

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Yves Saint James Aquino 

Discipline 

Social Sciences

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

This study will involve downloading top 50 (or so) mobile apps that fit the description of beauty apps (e.g., apps that rate or modify face; apps that suggest surgery).

Analysis will follow previous mobile Health app scoping review methodology. Qualitative content analysis will aim to provide description of the 1) app functionalities, 2) content that may raise ethical and social issues, 3) information about how the apps are developed. 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

The student is expected to develop skills in systematic review, which is an essential skill for both academic and industry research.  

The student is expected to hone skills in critical thinking and academic writing by helping draft a manuscript for journal publication.

The student is expected to understand the basic knowledge about the current state of body dissatisfaction as a phenomenon.

The student is expected to develop skills in using data analysis software. 

Access the transcript on YouTube

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

The project can help establish vital skills for careers in higher degree research in social sciences, public health and human services.

The project will help the student develop skills in critical thinking and data analysis that benefit professionals in nearly every area of the workforce.

Research skills and knowledge of data analysis software can help the student pursue jobs as analysts and researchers in various industries. 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

I will provide support in developing and completing the honours project within appropriate time frame. I will maintain regular contact (weekly or fortnightly) to monitor the student’s progress. I will provide feedback on any submission to improve the student’s work. 

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

Students in public health and social sciences who are interested in studying physical appearance concerns, and are enthusiastic to learn about incorporating philosophical analytical methods and social science methods are encouraged to apply.   

Description

Globally, calls to decolonise public health, social sciences or social work have grown louder. This has created room for researchers to contribute to society by exploring what is being done or not to build a society that values all worldviews as opposed to the current status quo that values Western philosophy at the expense of African, Asian, Arabian, Pacific, Carribean and Southa American philosophies. How is decolonisation happening? What decolonising knowledges and practices are being recognised and revalued in the process and how? Who is doing what and what are the roles? These are some research questions this research tackles. 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Rugare Mugumbate

External Stakeholders 

Globally, especially in countries of Africa and Australia 

Discipline 

Social Sciences, Social Work

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Alternative research methods: decolonising research methods 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Using decolonial lens to review available literature
• Appreciation of alternative research methods
• Interaction with service providers outside Australia  

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Students interested in decolonising practice, research and education; international work 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

• Weekly communication via emails
• Fortnightly meetings
• Literature 

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

• A student interested in international work
• A student interested in global indigenous research 

This study involves the use of a survey and interview data to explore UOW students’ use of and exposure to location tacking devices (on Smart phones and/ or similar devices).

Description

In recent times technology, such as Smart Phones and the development of location-based applications, has allowed for the tracking of individuals with and without their consent. Some of this is by companies that collect information about individuals’ daily movements based on claims that:

• People consent to being tracked,
• That the data is anonymous, and 
• That the data is secure.

However, location tracking devices can also be used to monitor the movements of individuals, and this has increasingly been reported within the context of domestic and family violence. There are also occasions where location tracking devices are used consensually, for instance where parents or partners give access to their location tracking devices to loved ones for safety reasons. 

Currently we don’t know how many people knowingly give access to their location to other individuals or why, nor how common the discovery of tracking is amongst individuals. This study would consider these questions in relation to UOW students.
This study will involve mixed method data which will involve interviewing young adults about their experience of technology and relationships e.g. case study and/or body mapping.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Helen Simpson

Co-supervisors:

Jacqui Cameron  

Discipline 

Social Sciences and Social work

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

• Primary data collection
• Mixed method - this study will use one or more of the following:-
  • Survey data (already collected)
  • Interview data
  • Case study
  • Body mapping

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Identifying appropriate research questions and methods.
• Skills in data collection and data analysis. Evidence synthesis.
• Writing and other dissemination skills.

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Working in research.

Working with team of researchers.

Pathway to HDR.

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

Expertise in all aspects of research, and fortnightly supervision, with support to publish a peer-reviewed publication at the end of the project.

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

• A student interested in research in sensitive areas e.g. domestic violence.
• A students interested in technology and its impacts on young adults.
• A social science or social work student, with interest in developing review and research skills.
  NOTE: The student will work with supervisors to submit ethics in late 2025.

Description

To identify the existing evidence regarding researcher distress when undertaking sensitive research, this project will enable one student to identify a research question and develop a project protocol.  

The student will then follow their own scoping review protocol to search and screen existing evidence, extract data and synthesise the findings.

The scoping review will be conducted following the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), with enhancements from Levac et al. 2010 and guidance from the PRISMA-ScR checklist (Tricco et a. 2018). The process involved the following stages:

1. Identifying the Research Question
   A clear and focused research question was developed to guide the scope and objectives of the review. This question determined the inclusion criteria and search strategy.
2. Identifying Relevant Studies 
   A comprehensive search strategy was designed in consultation with a librarian or information specialist. Multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched using predefined keywords and Boolean operators. Grey literature and reference lists of included studies were also screened.
   
   
3. Study Selection 
   Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to screen titles and abstracts, followed by full-text review. Screening was conducted independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved through discussion or a third reviewer.
   
   
4. Charting the Data 
   A data extraction form was developed to capture relevant information from each study, including author, year, country, study design, population, intervention/exposure, outcomes, and key findings.
   
   
5. Collating, Summarizing, and Reporting the Results 
   Extracted data were synthesized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results were presented in tables and narrative form, highlighting patterns, gaps, and areas for future research.
   
   
6. Consultation (Optional but Recommended) 
   Stakeholders or experts in the field were consulted to validate findings, provide insights, and enhance the relevance of the review.

References 
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616 
 
Levac, D., Colquhoun, H., & O’Brien, K. K. (2010). Scoping studies: Advancing the methodology. Implementation Science, 5, 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-69 
 
Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O’Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D. J., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., et al. (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Jacqui Cameron

Co-supervisors:

Renee Fiolet (Deakin)  

External Stakeholders 

Deakin University 

Discipline 

Social Work

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

• Secondary data collection
• Scoping review 

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Identifying appropriate research questions and search strategy.
• Screen literature for appropriate evidence.
• Skills in data extraction and management.
• Evidence synthesis.
• Writing and other dissemination skills. 

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

• Working in research.
• Working with researchers from other Universities
• Pathway to HDR. 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

• Expertise in all aspects of research, and fortnightly supervision, with support to publish a peer-reviewed publication at the end of the project. 

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

• A student interested in research in sensitive areas e.g. domestic violence.
• A social work student, with interest in developing review and research skills. 

This project is a collaboration between UOW and Barnardos to support young people in the community. 

Description

Project Focus

• A four-year funded film initiative aimed at supporting young people in the community. 

• One of the objectives of the Tides of Harmony film project, is focusing on developing skills, confidence, and feelings of belonging among young people. 

Honours Student Role

• Develop an  evaluation plan  for the broader project.

• Conduct their own  qualitative research project  as part of this evaluation.

• Use novel and innovative methods e.g. Photovoice (Toole-Anstey et al. 2025) as part of a small qualitative research project for the TIDES project.

Below is a summary of the four objectives of the larger project

• OBJECTIVE 1. To inspire and empower young people to stand up and stand united against extremism, hate, fear and division as champions for community harmony.

• OBJECTIVE 2. To support communities and build resilience to threats to community harmony in NSW arising from local or global issues

• OBJECTIVE 3. To build robust, sustainable networks, relationships and partnerships across communities

• OBJECTIVE 4. To promote community understanding of the value and benefit of cultural diversity 

References

Toole-Anstey, C., Carr, L., Deans, E., & Sidis, A. (2025). “ That’s the cards you’ve been given. And it’s really just what you do with them”: a photovoice study about recovery. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 18(2), 81-101. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-08-2024-0019

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Chye Toole-Anstey 

Co-supervisors:  

Jacqui Cameron and Delia-Rambaldini Gooding 

External Stakeholders 

Melissa Andrews at Barnardos 

Discipline 

Social Work

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

• Primary data collection
• Qualitative research methods
• Photovoice data collection

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Writing literature reviews
• Completing ethics
• Learning how to collect and analyse qualitative data
• Writing for peer-review publications

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

• Working in research. 
• Working with community 
• Pathway to HDR. 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

Expertise in all aspects of research, and fortnightly supervision, with support to publish a peer-reviewed publication at the end of the project.

NOTE: This study will require ethics approval thus the student may need to work with research team to submit ethics in late 2025 /early 2026.

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

• A student interested in community work. 
• A social work student, with interest in developing qualitative research skills. 

Description

Alcohol causes significant harm to Australian youth and their communities. Despite regulation of physical alcohol outlets (bricks and mortar stores), access to alcohol is dynamic and influenced by a range of factors. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified alcohol-related challenges as regulatory shifts allowed increased takeaway and online alcohol sales, making alcohol more accessible than ever before. Furthermore, the rapid growth of online alcohol marketing, often driven by sophisticated data analytics to personalise ads and promotions, has exacerbated these trends.

These developments, alongside new alcohol products marketed to younger audiences (e.g., “zero-alcohol” drinks), may inadvertently normalise drinking among adolescents, reinforcing alcohol consumption as part of social routines.  Despite these concerning trends, there is a lack of research examining alcohol policy through a youth-focused lens. This project seeks to explore how current alcohol policies influence youth access to alcohol and identify international examples of best-practice policies that effectively address youth alcohol accessibility. 

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Amy Bestman

External Stakeholders 

Dr Clare Wilkinson (University of New South Wales) 
Mr Andrew Reid (South West Sydney Local Health District) 

Discipline 

Social Sciences and Public Health

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Methods

This study will employ a multi-stage policy review and qualitative analysis, aimed at comparing alcohol accessibility legislation across Australia and select international jurisdictions. The study will focus on alcohol policies related to the purchase (availability) and marketing of alcohol (acceptability) as key vectors to access. The study will examine whether youth perspectives and specific youth harms have been considered in these policies (including whether gender, diverse population groups and equity lenses have been included).  

Data collection

The study will examine alcohol accessibility legislation across all Australian States and Territories, complemented by a comparative analysis across jurisdictions in other high-income, English-speaking OECD countries. These jurisdictions provide a comparable legal and cultural context, enhancing the relevance of findings. Selected jurisdictions will include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland. Additionally, this data collection will be supported by a systematic literature review that will collect details on policy evaluations to determine effectiveness of policies identified (where available).  

Data extraction and analysis

Study information (country/location, study design, methods) will be extracted and compared. Using the available evidence base, a ranking of best practices (resulting in most effective harm prevention measures) will be applied to policy measures.

View transcript on YouTube

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Research and Analytical Skills 
• Policy analysis: Evaluating alcohol policies and their impact on youth accessibility.
• Critical thinking: Assessing complex, multi-layered issues like marketing, regulation, and social norms.
• Literature review: Synthesising existing research across public health, youth studies, and policy domains.
• Communication and Advocacy
• Writing and presenting findings: Translating research into clear, impactful reports or presentations.
• Stakeholder engagement: Communicating with policymakers, community groups, and youth organisations.
• Global Perspective
• Comparative policy analysis: Identifying and evaluating international best practices.
• Project Management
• Planning and coordination: Managing timelines, resources, and research activities effectively. 

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

This project would equip someone with expertise that is highly valued across a range of career pathways, particularly in sectors focused on public health, policy, youth wellbeing, and digital media. 

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

The supervisor will meet with the honours student weekly to support their progress in this project. The student will also have opportunities to work with external stakeholders from UNSW and the local health district who are interested in alcohol policy.  

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

This project would suit students interested in the following areas:

• Youth health and wellbeing
• Alcohol and substance use prevention
• Public policy and regulation
• Digital marketing and online consumer behaviour
• Health equity and social determinants of health 

Description

The project builds on Rugare’s work on epilepsy globally, and extends this work locally collaborating with epilepsy associations in Australia.  

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Rugare Mugumbate

Discipline 

Social Work, Public Health, Social Sciences

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Qualitative  

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Data collection 
• Literature review 
• Analysis 
• Ethics planning

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Health

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

• Communication via emails 
• Fortnightly meetings 
• Literature 

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

Student interested in narrative approaches

Description

The Australian and New Zealand health systems are complex and face considerable challenges. These challenges are concerning, given the associated implications for organisational performance, patient care, and patient outcomes. While health service managers and health service providers are the key stakeholders in the Australian and New Zealand health systems, sometimes they have limited opportunities to voice their needs and preferences. Consulting with health service managers and health service providers is crucial for the overall improvement of health systems and outcomes. This study aims to fill this gap. Given the benefits of consulting with health service managers and health service providers, this project will invite health service managers and health service providers, across the Australian and New Zealand health systems, to complete a survey to establish their needs and preferences.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: 

Associate Professor Hassan Hosseinzadeh

Co-supervisors:  

Professor Ann Dadich (University of Western Sydney)

External Stakeholders 

Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM)

Discipline 

Public Health, Social Sciences or Social Work

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

• Cross-sectional online pulse survey of health service managers and providers across Australia and New Zealand (Qualtrics).
• • Sampling via professional networks (ANZAM, Local Health Districts/PHNs), LinkedIn, and snowballing.
• • Quantitative analysis: descriptive stats, exploratory factor analysis (if appropriate), regression, group comparisons (e.g., role, sector, jurisdiction).
• • Qualitative analysis: thematic coding of open-ended responses (NVivo) if needed.

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Survey design, piloting, and implementation (Qualtrics).
• Data management and statistical analysis (SPSS) and qualitative coding (NVivo) if needed.
• Scientific writing (report, conference abstract/manuscript) and data visualisation.
• Stakeholder engagement with health service leaders and professional bodies.
• Research ethics and analysis plan.

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

• Health service management and quality improvement roles (LHDs/PHNs/hospitals).
• Health policy, planning, and evaluation (state/territory and Commonwealth agencies).
• Consulting and analytics roles in health organisations and not-for-profits.
• Research assistant/analyst positions in universities, government, and industry.
• Pathway to HDR (Masters/PhD) in public health, implementation science, or health management.

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

• Access to survey platform (Qualtrics), statistical and qualitative software (SPSS, NVivo).
• Structured supervision: weekly/fortnightly meetings; rapid feedback on drafts; milestone plan.
• Support with recruitment, and stakeholder liaison.
• Support with data visualisation, write-up and exemplars for data reporting.
• Opportunities to co-author a conference paper/poster and a journal submission.

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

Honours student in Public Health, Social Sciences, Social Work, Health Management, Health Economics, Allied Health, or related field.

Desirable skills:

• Basic statistics (e.g., research methods), interest in health systems, management, or workforce.
• Managing deadlines.
• Strong written communication, attention to detail, and commitment to ethical research.
• Prior experience with SPSS or NVivo is helpful but not essential.

Description

The Get Healthy Service (GHS) funded by the NSW Ministry of Health provides Information and Coaching to people over the age of 16 to have better health and wellbeing.  The service focuses on promoting healthier habits, getting active and managing your health while living with type 2 diabetes or cancer, or reducing alcohol intake. GHS has had a low up-take by people from multicultural backgrounds and ISLHD are collaborating with Multicultural and Refugee Health Services and IMS staff to assess the suitability of the GHS for multicultural clients. IMS staff will enrol in GHS and researchers will conduct semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups with IMS staff to assess the suitability of the program for multicultural communities and explore their experience of the program.

The Honours student will support the data collection and use this data as the basis of their thesis and potential publication. The student will also provide ISLDH with an executive summary or presentation on the research findings.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Dr Delia Rambaldini-Gooding

Co-supervisors: Sofia Lema, Multicultural and Refugee Health Services, ISLHD; Robyn Tindall, Public Health Unit, ISLHD

External Stakeholders 

ISLHD Multicultural and Refugee Health Services and Public Health Unit ISLHD and Illawarra Multicultural Service.

Discipline 

Public Health or Social Sciences

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

• Primary research data (semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups)
• Qualitative research methods

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

• Writing literature reviews
• Completing ethics
• Learning how to collect and analyse qualitative data
• Writing for peer-review publications

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

• Working in research
• Working for a community-based organisation or government agency
• Pathway to HDR

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

• Expertise in all aspects of research, and fortnightly supervision, with support to publish a peer-reviewed publication at the end of the project. NOTE: This study will require ethics approval and the student may need to work with research team to submit ethics in late 2025 /early 2026.

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

A public health or social science student who is interested in community work or working in the local health district in outreach role.

Description

Students are increasingly migrating to other countries for higher education in the hope of receiving international exposure and opportunities. They migrate with the aspiration of creating a better life for themselves and their family. As we encourage this trend, it comes with its own challenges. While universities offer a range of support services for international students, including academic assistance, orientation programs, and counselling, these services are not always sufficient to meet their diverse and complex needs. Many students face challenges such as cultural adjustment, language barriers, social isolation, and mental health struggles that require more tailored, proactive, and ongoing support. It is therefore crucial to systematically identify the gaps in existing support structures. By understanding where services fall short, universities can develop more effective, student-centred programs that not only help international students survive but also empower them to thrive academically, socially, and personally during their studies and beyond. This study examines how countries support this cohort and identifies the gaps in their support. This will be particularly looked at from a Social Work and fieldwork perspective 

Supervisors

Primary supervisors 

Dr Surekha Nair and Dr Chye

Discipline 

Social Work

Frequently asked questions

What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?

Secondary data from published articles and University websites

What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop? 

Students will gain qualitative research analysis skills (review of literature scoping review)

What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise? 

Understanding international student issues in a global perspective.

What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?  

Fortnightly meetings and sharing of any information gathered in this area. Guiding in consolidating the information gathered

Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?

Someone who is interested on understanding International Student issues and wanting to explore the gaps in the exixting supports