Projects

This three-year research study conducted by Flinders University and the University of Adelaide (2018-2021) in South Australia investigated pathways to employment for social inclusion, health, and wellbeing for women from refugee backgrounds. Supported by a Reference Group of service providers and Community Advisory Group of members of refugee communities, we conducted interviews and focus groups with refugee women, service providers and employers, as well as analysing data from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal study of refugees in Australia.

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Investigators:

Anna Ziersch, Joanna Howe, Clemence Due

Funded by:

Australian Government Department of Social Services

Migrant and refugee community leaders and service providers have identified family and domestic violence (FDV) as an important settlement support priority, highlighted particularly during the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the exacerbation of settlement stressors. This project seeks to develop evidence-based recommendations for FDV prevention and support programs for children from migrant and refugee backgrounds, informed by their perspectives as well as broader community priorities. The project is conducted in partnership with the Australian Refugee Association, Relationships Australia SA, Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia, the African Women’s Federation of SA, Federation of African Communities Council of Australia and Middle Eastern Communities Council of SA. The project will involve an audit of Australian FDV programs; interviews with community educators in a FDV prevention and support program; a survey of service providers; consultations with children and young people at risk of or experiencing FDV; and a workshop with our partners, community educators and community members to collectively develop the recommendations.

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Investigators:

Anna Ziersch, Clemence Due, Lilian Mwanri, Moira Walsh

Funded by:

Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation

This project seeks to examine the experiences of children from refugee and migrant backgrounds with disability, their carers, and the service providers that support them. The research is conducted in partnership with the South Australian Refugee Health Service, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia, Can:do 4 Kids and Novita SA, and in collaboration with other key migrant, refugee and disability organisations. Drawing on interviews with children and their carers, a survey of service providers and an analysis of policies, we will provide recommendations about how to support the mental health and wellbeing for this group of children and their families.

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Investigators:

Anna Ziersch, Clemence Due, Moira Walsh, Lilian Mwanri

Funded by:

Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation

This project seeks to explore individual and collective understandings and linguistic expressions of mental health across multiple generations and across first language and resettlement language (English) within refugee families. In doing so, the project will contribute towards policy, program and pedagogical responses which recognise diverse understandings and expressions of mental health for refugees from a range of backgrounds and generations to inform clinical training.

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Investigators:

Walsh, M., Ziersch, A., Due, C., & Caldwell, D

Funded by:

Flinders Foundation

This project has investigated perceptions of refugee and asylum seekers concerning changes to family dynamics that occur as a result of resettlement from the perspective of multiple members of the same family and perceived impacts on health and wellbeing. The project has focused on the formal and informal networks and resources available to and accessed by members of refugee and asylum seeking families, and further seeks to contribute towards policy and program responses which recognise the unique and varied family contexts of refugees and asylum seekers and which assist in supporting family relationships.

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Investigators:

Moira Walsh, Anna Ziersch, Clemence Due, Lilian Mwanri

Funded by:

Flinders Foundation

This project seeks to examine the neighbourhood experiences of children from refugee backgrounds and to explore how neighbourhood features affect health and wellbeing. Working alongside a range of local government and non-government organisations such as the Australian Refugee Association we are conducting a survey with refugee background young people as well as interviews with young people and service providers in order to provide recommendations about how to make neighbourhoods more health promoting.

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Investigators:

Anna Ziersch, Clemence Due, Moira Walsh, Melanie Baak, Iris Levin

Funded by:

Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation