Improving the lives of children, young people and their families is at the heart of what we do. We do this through quality research, evaluation, training, consultation and translating knowledge for policy makers and practitioners. Nationally recognised for our expertise in child protection, we aim to make a real impact on critical social issues, child-centred practice, service systems and public policy.
Learn about what we do
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Corporal punishment should be prohibited nationally and supported by a public education campaign and greater access to parental supports, according to a new research pa...
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Australian-first research into the prevalence of childhood maltreatment has revealed almost two-thirds of children who experience any child abuse or neglect have been s...
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Paramedics are an underutilised resource when it comes to safeguarding children in the home, according to a new study highlighting the need to improve paramedics’ abili...
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Too many vulnerable young people known to child protection authorities are dying.
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Royal Commission anniversary highlights need to also safeguard children in non-institutional family settings
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New ACU research has given a rare voice to parents who become involved with child protection authorities during pregnancy or via infant removal.
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We welcome your submission to present at an international congress on parenting and family intervention.
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ACU research has identified four key themes to address to make youth feel safe in faith-based groups.
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Sharing achievements of our dedicated and talented staff.
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We are part of a national campaign that aims to reform Australia’s current legislation, and give parents access to alternative evidence-based parenting strategies.
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Early findings from study show the significant negative impact of child abuse and neglect on people's lives.
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ACU researchers have been awarded more than $2 million in Australian Research Council grants.
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Seven new research centres will enhance ACU’s reputation in the arts, education, health, and theology and philosophy.
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Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven launched the Institute of Religion Politics and Society’s leadership series with a dialogue a...
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Ritual, belief and habituation: Religion and religions from the axial age to the Anthropocene
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Given the plurality of readings of the secularisation thesis, please could you give us a summary of your own take on our sub-discipline’s paradigmatic theory?
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This article is part of the Democracy Futures series, a joint global initiative with the Sydney Democracy Network. The project aims to stimulate fresh thinking about th...
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Prepared by Parliamentary Library Fellow Dr Tom Barnes and a research team from the Australian Catholic University, the research paper, titled ‘Transition to where?’, i...
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This volume takes up the challenge posed by Bryan Turner, when he noted “the absence of any systematic thinking about familial relations, reproduction and citizenship” ...
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We announced last month that Bryan S. Turner and Berna Zengin Arslan were the winners of the 2014 Sociological Review Prize for Outstanding Scholarship for their articl...
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ACU researchers are celebrating after a strong performance in the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment. The performance affirms ACU’s rapidly risi...
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The terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut have elicited a disturbingly predictable series of responses. We’ve witnessed the usual political posturing, harsh military r...
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Following the tragic terror attacks in Paris, the world turns its attention to the organisation behind the carnage. Do we now need to rethink our approach toward ISIS,...
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The Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation and the Max Planck Society honour Hans Joas and Bryan S. Turner for their research.
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Based on recent research in Detroit, including multiple interviews with its civic, business and political leaders, this is one of the first reports to document these co...
We work collaboratively with government and industry organisations focused on child safety, child wellbeing and child rights. Our strong relationships with researchers, policy makers in government, organisational leaders and community partners ensure that our work has impact. We contribute to national conversations as well as organisational growth by offering consultations and delivering presentations.
Our key expertise is in qualitative and quantitative research with eminent researchers, institutions and community organisations. We draw on technical tools such as surveys, evidence reviews, interviews and focus groups. And we also engage with adults and children to learn from their lived experience.
Using a variety of approaches, we address issues including children’s safety; child sexual abuse child protection services; child, youth and family services; the effects of adverse childhood experiences on mental health; youth justice and children’s courts; and public policy.
The Safeguarding Children and Young People portal links organisations to resources, training and up-to-date research, helping them create an environment that’s transparent and accountable for keeping children safe.
Visit the portalUnderstand ACU’s organisational structure and learn more about our faculties, research, staff and administrative divisions.
Browse directoratesComplete a masters by research or a PhD doctorate with us and make a valuable contribution to your field and your community.
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Embrace for impactDiscover what support is available for your research, including guidance on how to get funding and manage a project.
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