Social Research Centre

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About us

The Social Research Centre offers the Australian social research community unparalleled access to top-tier research and evaluation services. Our comprehensive offerings encompass research design, stakeholder engagement, survey administration, statistical consultation, qualitative research, data science applications, as well as thorough analysis and reporting.

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Our motivation stems from the aspiration to conduct research and evaluation of the highest quality to contribute to informed decision-making for public good.

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We work to the highest quality standards, guided by the Total Survey Error framework for quantitative research and a Quality Framework for qualitative research.

By specialising in social and health research and evaluation we understand the demands of such research, and continuously improve the methods used. Our commitment to achieving the highest standards is deeply embedded in our mission and values.

Our values

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Research and evaluation that makes a positive difference to people’s lives.

Impactful

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Influential

Methodological leadership and innovation in applied social research and evaluation. 

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Rigorous

Expertly collecting, processing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative evidence. 

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Smart

Corporate ethos of continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence in all our services. Employing best practices to ensure efficiency and value for money for our clients. 

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Respectful

Working collaboratively and transparently with our clients, stakeholders and each other. 

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Inclusive

Fostering a culture that supports diversity, equity and inclusion and enables employees to bring their whole selves to work. 

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Equitable

Ensuring participation and recognition of marginalised and vulnerable members of the community in our research and evaluation. 

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Empowering

Encouraging and supporting our people to reach their full potential. 

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Ethical

Working to the highest ethical standards. 

Who we are

Our team consists of survey experts, data scientists, statisticians, social scientists, policy researchers, and subject matter specialists. We’re committed to advancing insights into global and Australian communities, offering impactful evidence for the betterment of lives.

Meet the team

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Our relationship with ANU

We are owned by the Australian National University (ANU) and have unprecedented access to ANU researchers and ANU’s world class research environment.

The ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods is a joint initiative of the Social Research Centre and the Australian National University (ANU). The Centre provides significant Australian capacity in undertaking research into applied social research and evaluation methods.

Affiliations + Memberships

The Social Research Centre has developed the second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in partnership with Reconciliation Australia.

Innovate RAP 2022-2024

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Our commitment is to cultivate a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusivity, fostering an environment free from discrimination. A cornerstone of this commitment is our Innovative Reconciliation Action Plan (Innovate RAP). Our active engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities underscores our approach. We place a focus on educating our staff about history and cultural considerations. This emphasis is crucial to ensuring that our research is conducted with the utmost cultural awareness and respect.

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We hold a strong belief in the significance of educating our staff about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, historical mistreatment, and dispelling the misconceptions that have arisen since European settlement in Australia.
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We hope our initiatives will contribute to the creation of a more just society, where every Australian is treated equitably, and a sincere reconciliation is established between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
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Our aspiration is for an Australia that has achieved reconciliation—a place where the painful truths of historical injustices such as dispossession, violence, and discrimination, along with their profound impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, are acknowledged and actively confronted. This involves providing them a platform to express their cultural heritage and wisdom, ensuring their voices are heard. By addressing this truth, we pave the way for unity, equality, and a mutual comprehension to blossom between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and fellow Australians.