Research

Our current research activities include projects in four areas. We are working to deliver a 3 year trial in employment services funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF). In addition, three initial ‘Launchpad’ exploratory research projects have been undertaken, each led by a dedicated System 2 Research Lead specialist.

To select our three research priority areas, we began with a review of 60 Australian youth surveys published from 2020–2024. Our Youth Advisory Board, in collaboration with our Research Committee, used this review to identify the three most important issues affecting young Australians experiencing disadvantage:

1) Youth mental health, and in particular the challenges associated with accessing high quality mental health services.
2) Fair access to post-school career opportunities, with linked concerns about employment, cost of living, and debt. The preferred focus was on the role of career education and support prior to leaving school in driving access to career opportunities.
3) Early years, and in particular early childhood education and care. This topic was not a priority identified in youth surveys, but was identified by the Youth Advisory Board as the third priority issue.

Each project shared several goals including:
1) Understanding the extent to which systems are working as intended.
2) Identifying areas ripe for policy reform.
3) Posing important research questions.
4) Understanding where System 2’s unique approach can have the most impact.