Social Policy
Can robots really be companions for older adults?
In asking whether social robots can help social isolation among the elderly, we first need to know what older people think, say University of Melbourne experts.
Persistent poverty is a major policy issue
While a job is often crucial to lifting people out of poverty, adequate income support and child care are also critical, say University of Melbourne researchers
Buying and selling the poor
Australia’s welfare-to-work system is extensively privatised but is failing disadvantaged job seekers, say University of Melbourne and University of NSW experts
Celebrating 75 years: The UN’s past and future
It’s 75 years since the United Nations was formed in 1945; a University of Melbourne expert says one of its major achievements is to have survived for so long.
Will COVID-19 change what it means to be unemployed?
Unemployment due to COVID-19 means it's time to revisit the ‘dole bludger’ image, and support everyone seeking work, says a University of Melbourne expert.
Our food supply has problems with equity, not quantity
Shocks to our food supply provide opportunity to transform our food systems to be healthier, more sustainable and equitable say University of Melbourne experts.
Volunteers don’t come free
New University of Melbourne research finds urgent action is needed to maintain sustainable volunteer services for people with disability and their families.
The grim cycle of homelessness and unemployment
Research by a University of Melbourne expert finds homelessness impairs people’s capacity to keep a job more than their ability to gain employment.
Taking the pulse of the NDIS
The University of Melbourne's Policy Shop considers the history of the NDIS and how the rollout is going so far, with former chair of the NDIA Bruce Bonyhady.
Can the NDIS deliver?
A University of Melbourne report evaluates the progress of the NDIS so far, suggesting it may inadvertently exacerbate the inequities it was designed to solve.