Our research
AIFS Research Directions 2012-2015 - describes the social trends influencing Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) research and the four areas of specific focus for our research from 2012 to 2015.
Four directions for AIFS research 2012-15
Family change, functioning and wellbeing
Families are diverse in the forms they take and in the ways in which they live their lives. They are also constantly evolving. Families not only respond to social change but also contribute to it, given that they are the building blocks of society. Read more about Direction 1: Family change, functioning and wellbeing.
- Australian Temperament Project
- Driving Behaviour Study
- Family Attitudes and Values
- Family Pathways: Survey of Recently Separated Parents 2012
- Family Pathways: The Longitudinal Study of Separated Families
- Family Trends and Transitions
- Growing Up in Australia: The Longtitudinal Study of Australian Children
- National Research Study on the Service Response to Past Adoption Experiences
Social and economic participation for families
Another important priority for research in this triennium concerns the economic and social wellbeing of families, their access to resources, and how to best support and sustain families, particularly during times of economic uncertainty or change. Read more about Direction: 2 Social and economic participation for families.
- Access to Early Childhood Education (Phase 2)
- Building a New Life in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants
- Labour Market Issues for Families
- Stronger Families in Australia
- Young Parents and their Children in Australia (YPCA) Study
Child and family safety
Continuing to develop the evidence base for preventing and responding to abuse, neglect and violence against children and adults remains a priority. Translating the research findings into practical knowledge for counsellors and other family support practitioners is also a particular focus for AIFS through its two information exchanges: Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) and the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA). Read more about Direction 3: Child and family safety.
- A new legal frontier? The role of social networking services and mobile phone technology in facilitating sexual violence
- Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault
- Evaluation of the Child Protection Scheme of Income Management in Western Australia
- Research on Independent Children’s Lawyers
- Indigenous Justice Programs Evaluation: Diversion Programs
- Beyond 18: The Longitudinal Study on Leaving Care
- New Scheme of Income Management: Analysis and reporting on the evaluation plan
- Pathways of Care: The Longitudinal Study of Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care
- Victim-focused court practice
- Women in custody and sexual assault survival
Services to support families
This final direction looks at the trajectories of families as they develop, focusing on research and evaluation evidence relating to services that support families during times of vulnerability, transition and change, as well as services that support and sustain the majority of families who are cohesive to function effectively and demonstrate resilience. Read more about Direction 4: Services to support families.