Ongoing School Research Projects


School Research Projects

Reducing the social, economic and health burden associated with obesity-related chronic diseases among socio-economically disadvantaged populations

Chief investigator: Professor Andre Renzaho

End of life and intellectual disability

Research about the experience of end of life by people with intellectual disability is in its infancy. Researchers from Western Sydney University and Sydney University, together with disability services, and international research colleagues are collaborating on a number of projects about this topic. These projects are united by a common theme: people with intellectual disability, like all members of our society, are deserving of care at the end of life that affirms their value as individuals and honours their presence.

This project is funded by the Australian Research Council

Andromaque (Anthropology of law in the African and Asian Muslim Worlds)

Andromaque is a 3-year collaborative research project involving 12 researchers from around the world. The project examines, from an anthropological perspective, the property rights of women in Muslim communities in four countries: Morocco, Sudan, India and Indonesia. Dr Arskal Salim and an American colleague are conducting the fieldwork in Indonesia.

This project is funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) / French National Research Agency.

Growing Up Queer: Issues facing young Australians who are gender variant and sexuality diverse

Associate Professor Kerry Robinson, Drs Peter Bansel and Nida Denson in partnerships with Twenty10 are investigating the issues impacting on the health and wellbeing of young Australians who are gender variant and sexuality diverse. It aims to develop innovative ways through technology to address these issues.

The project is funded by the Young and Well Collaborative Research Centre.

The problem of funding infrastructure

Professor Phillip O'Neill is leading a team of international researchers in the investigation of the impacts of private finance on urban infrastructure projects. The study involves case studies of recent large Brownfield privatisations and new-build projects in Europe, North America and Australia. Of major interest is the compatibility of infrastructure as an investment product capable of yielding competitive returns with infrastructure's role in underpinning efficient, sustainable and just cities.

The project is funded by the Australian Research Council

Into the community: Leaving a licensed boarding house

Dr Gabrielle Drake, in partnership with UnitingCare and People with Disability Australia, conducted a research project with 20 people with disability who had moved out of a boarding house and into independent living. The project explored how people were supported to move into their own place and how their quality of life had changed. The study used an innovative approach where former boarding house residents worked as co-researchers in the design, data collection and analysis of the research findings.

What Matters in the End: Understanding the End-of-Life needs of Culturally  & Linguistically Diverse and Aboriginal communities in Western Sydney Local Health District

What Matters in the End is the culmination of a three-year multi-method, multi-disciplinary research initiative investigating the end-of-life needs of culturally diverse people living in Western Sydney. The research was undertaken by the Western Sydney University Caring at End-of-Life Research Program in collaboration with Western Sydney Local Health District. We worked with participants from the Aboriginal community and from Arabic, Mandarin and Hindi speaking backgrounds, as well as healthcare professionals and people working in the end-of-life space, to find out what is needed in the service system and wider community to support culturally diverse people and their families at end-of life. The report provides details of the research design and findings as well as a comprehensive set of recommendations for the delivery of culturally appropriate and safe end-of-life and bereavement care.

Download Executive Summary - English

Download Executive Summary - Arabic

Download Executive Summary - Hindi

Download Executive Summary - Mandarin

Download Appendices - English

Stories of Care at End-of-life: Listening to Aboriginal and Culturally Diverse Communities in Western Sydney

Stories of Care is the culmination of a unique collaboration between researchers and photovoice participants in a multi-method research initiative investigating the end-of-life needs of culturally diverse people living in Western Sydney. The research was undertaken by the Western Sydney University Caring at End-of-Life Research Program in collaboration with Western Sydney Local Health District. Using a COVID-adapted photovoice method, we worked with participants from the Aboriginal community and from Arabic, Mandarin and Hindi speaking backgrounds who had cared for someone at end-of-life. We asked them what they found helpful and supportive in their caring journey. This uncovered stories about what works (and doesn't) in the service system and wider community to support culturally diverse people and their families at end-of life. Stories of Care showcases participants' photographs and narratives, giving voice and visibility to their experiences and needs. Their participation has contributed to our deeper appreciation of the relationships, values and practices that can sustain and be significant for people at end-of life; in turn, showing service providers what is needed for delivery of culturally appropriate and safe end-of-life care.