Richard Gray

Research on marginalised groups to enhance wellbeing and social inclusion

• The three groups are: the general population who drink alcohol, aging families living with disability and people with autism
• La Trobe University and the University of Haifa share a vision and mission to undertake research that makes a real and positive difference in people’s lives
• Outcomes include policy reports, transferable technology and training packages that can be commercialised

Learn more about the other researchers who have also been awarded a Study Melbourne Research Partnerships program grant in 2021.

The project aims to enhance the well-being and social inclusion of three marginalised and vulnerable populations in Australia and Israel. These are the general population who drink alcohol, aging families living with disability and people with autism.

The project has been developed by a group of nineteen researchers from La Trobe University and the University of Haifa, with fieldwork for the study to be undertaken in both Australia and Israel. Both institutions share a vision and mission to undertake research that makes a real and positive difference in people’s lives.

Harmful use of alcohol is associated with three million deaths every year. This part of the project will use artificial intelligence to compare the representation of alcohol in social media posts in Israel and Australia. The findings will inform alcohol policy in both countries.

People with intellectual disabilities are living longer, and the help families need at this stage of their family life course to thrive is not well understood. This part of the project will include in-depth interviews with family members in Australia and Israel to develop a deep understanding of the everyday realities and support that families need at this life stage.

Almost three-quarters of adults with autism are not employed. The focus of this part of the study is on identifying these barriers by translating and using a measure – the Workplace Environment Accessibility Measure – developed by the University of Haifa. Additionally, the researchers will conduct in-depth interviews with people with autism (in employment), their supervisors, and employers.

This project will produce numerous policy reports, transferable technology and training packages that can be commercialised. These outcomes will be able to be expanded for use in other countries to support policy and understanding of similar marginalised groups.