News

Applications open for community-led research proposals

Community organisations working for the public good can apply to partner with ACU experts on projects that address social injustice, community wellbeing, or Catholic identity.

ACU’s Stakeholder Engaged Scholarship Unit (SESU) is now taking research proposals from organisations that predominantly serve people or communities who experience marginalisation or disadvantage.

Organisations can propose projects to address issues of social injustices, improve the wellbeing of communities, or explore Catholic identity and organisational practice.

Since launching in 2020, the SESU has supported 27 partner organisations, both faith-based and secular, delivering 24 community-initiated research projects.

The projects have led to concrete outcomes including an evidence-based employment accelerator events to fast-track employment for refugees and migrants, increased funding for social services, and expansions of life-changing programs.

SESU Advisory Group chair Professor Br David Hall fms said SESU research projects offered an experience where university researchers and community practitioners could exchange skills and knowledge for the betterment of society.

“Universities are constantly aspiring to shape research in a way that it engages and supports local communities in ways that are practical and impactful,” Br Hall said.

“On the other hand, many community organisations, particularly non-profit or charities, might not have the capacity to undertake significant research to improve their direct impact.

“The SESU at ACU bridges this gap between research skills and community work, collaborating on meaningful projects that seek to address real-world challenges and issues.

“The unit has delivered nearly 30 research projects across six years, and we are excited to welcome the seventh round of proposals this month.”

Applications for the SESU’s Expressions of Interest (EOI) 2026 round will open Monday 9 February and close on Friday 13 March 6pm AEDT. Successful organisations will be notified by April with research planning to commence in mid-2025.

Interested community organisations can attend an online EOI information session, hosted by the SESU, on Tuesday 24 February, from 10am-11.30am AEDT via Teams. Click here to register for the EOI information session.

For more information about the SESU’s application round, contact the Manager, Community-engaged Research, Vivien Cinque on sesu@acu.edu.au or visit the SESU website.