Institute for Social Change

Supporting positive social change and the 'good life' in Tasmania and beyond through internationally recognised and locally impactful research.

The Institute for Social Change draws on the expertise of researchers in the College of Arts, Law and Education and from across the University of Tasmania to understand social change.

It works with partners in community, government and industry to address pressing problems and to help deliver a good, just and sustainable society.

With colleagues in the College of Arts, Law and Education and across the University, the Institute undertakes research on topics relevant to Tasmania and beyond, such as food security and food systems, migration and population, environment and heritage, and social and economic wellbeing.

Research is published in high-impact academic journals, as well as publicly available reports, and has informed Tasmanian government initiatives including the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council report, Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and the Cultural and Creative Recovery Strategy.

Current Project: Good Life Initiative

The Good Life Initiative is a holistic approach to measure and describe Tasmania’s wellbeing, progress and values. Built from a unique dataset distinctive to Tasmania, it will provide information about Tasmania at community and state levels and in a form comparable to other states, nationally and internationally.

The Good Life Initiative will tell the story of Tasmania through quantitative and qualitative data, providing deep insights into the wellbeing and opinions of Tasmanian residents and communities. It aims to answer two big questions: How are we faring now? What do we want for the future?