Vulnerable Groups
Improving outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations
The vulnerable populations research at UWA aims to improve the health and social outcomes of some of society’s most disadvantaged groups, through evidence-based best practice. The groups we work with include:
- People experiencing homelessness
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- Individuals experiencing incarceration
- Refugee and migrant populations
- Veterans
- Victims of family and domestic violence
- ‘At-risk’ or socially disengaged adolescents
The School of Population and Global Health research examines behaviours and issues linked to socioeconomic status and their impact on health.
As the School has a strong focus on strengthening the evidence base for public policy and interventions to reduce health and social inequalities, we collaborate with policymakers, community organisations, government departments and health and human services.
We are proactive in involving people from these vulnerable population groups in our research through contributions.
Current projects
Find a selection of our current research projects around vulnerable population groups below.
We invite you to discuss other research project ideas with us. Students can contact the Graduate Research Coordinator at the School of Population and Global Health for more information at [email protected].
- Best Practice Principles for Refugee Family and Domestic Violence Perpetrator Interventions
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The Best Practice Principles for Refugee Family and Domestic Violence Perpetrator Interventions project looks at what constitutes best practice in family and domestic violence perpetrator interventions for those from a refugee background.
Industry partner
- Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTS)
Contact Professor Colleen Fisher for more information.
- Identifying Predictors and Patterns of Illness in the Period After Release from Prison
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This study involves the collection of cross-sectional survey and longitudinal administrative data from a cohort of 2500 ex-prisoners in two Australia jurisdictions that together hold 44 per cent of Australia’s Indigenous prisoners.
Data for this project has been collected on socio-economic, physical and mental health circumstances.
PhD students wishing to be involved in this project should have the following:- quantitative research skills – a sound understanding of biostatistics is essential
- experience working with administrative linked data is an advantage
- sound knowledge of epidemiology and epidemiological study designs is essential.
- 100 Families WA
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This 100 Families project will investigate what stops people moving out of poverty and where the system is failing disadvantaged families.
Contact Professor Colleen Fisher for more information.
- Improving outcomes for children of incarcerated mothers
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The Improving the lives of children with incarcerated mothers project investigates the impact of maternal incarceration on life trajectories, health and social outcomes for Australian children, with the research aiming to disrupt intergenerational patterns of disadvantage.
Industry partners
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of South Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
- Griffith Criminology Institute
Contact Professor David Preen for more information.
- Sex offender recidivism in Australia
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The Sex offender recidivism in Australia project contributes to the reduction of overall sexual offence recidivism in Australia.
Contact Adjunct Professor Frank Morgan for more information.
$1.75 million grant to help tackle disadvantage in WA
A project addressing entrenched disadvantage in WA in which The University of Western Australia is taking the lead research role has received $1.75 million in funding from Lotterywest.
Read moreDrumming program improves boys' mental health and behaviour
An innovative, 10-week program that combines hand drumming and therapeutic talking has been found to significantly assist disadvantaged boys’ mental health and antisocial behaviour.
Read moreTop 10 priorities for those experiencing domestic violence
An Australian-first study led by The University of Western Australia has surveyed those who have experienced family and domestic violence to identify the top ten priorities for future research into one of the nation’s most serious problems.
Read moreInterested in collaborating with us?
The impact of research around vulnerable population groups is elevated by close relationships with industry, philanthropic and community partners.
If you have an issue that requires specialised research and development expertise, or you would like to develop a joint research arrangement with UWA, the Office of Research Enterprise can help.
