ISSR undergraduate research opportunities

The Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) participates in the UQ Summer Research Scholarship Program.

Scholars are expected to actively participate in an ongoing research project or to undertake a substantial piece of supervised research work by way of an internship during Summer holiday periods. The Program offers scholars practical research experience and a chance to discover the type of research undertaken at ISSR by working on actual projects.

By participating in undergraduate research programs, students gain valuable academic and professional skills, have an opportunity to develop links with industry and academic contacts, and are able to test drive research before embarking on further research studies or higher degree research projects.

2026 Summer Program projects

Sole mothers’ labour force and wellbeing outcomes over the life course

Project title	Sole Mothers’ labour force and wellbeing outcomes over the life course
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	Program dates: 12 Jan – 20 Feb 2025 (6 weeks) Hours of engagement: 24 hours per week (6 hours per day/4 days) Mode: Hybrid 3 days per week on-site, ISSR/LCC/Long Pocket AND 1 days per week remote (possibility for flexibility if more work from home days are required)
Description	Sole parent families, which primarily comprise households headed by women, are one of the most disadvantaged groups within Australia today. The goal of this project is to examine the labour force and wellbeing outcomes of sole mothers in Australia, drawing on a life course perspective. The economic and social well-being of sole parents will be examined from a micro and macro perspective using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to provide evidence on how to reduce disadvantage faced by sole parents. The summer scholar will, together with the project lead, undertake a small project that will involve examining existing literature to identify a research gap, define a research question, conduct some basic data analysis and write up the results (consistent support will be given for the data analysis).
Expected outcomes and deliverables	The learning-goal of this summer scholar project is for the scholar to achieve competence in, and knowledge of, the practical research process. This comprises operationalising a research and time plan, identifying a research goal, undertaking a literature review and helping to prepare and analyse data. The scholar may also help draft a report or Working Paper. The scholar will act as a researcher and employ both the theoretical and methods knowledge that they have gained throughout their studies. Overall, skills will be gained in: project and time management, conducting literature searches and writing reviews, defining a research question, conducting quantitative data analysis and communicating research results.
Suitable for	This project is open to students in sociology, psychology, economics, education or an equivalent social sciences discipline, interested in conducting quantitative research. Must have at least basic quantitative skills. Stata skills are desirable. Third and 4th year students only.
Primary Supervisor	Dr Sandra Buchler (Project Lead) Professor Janeen Baxter (Co-lead)
Further info	For further information please contact Sandra Buchler (s.buchler@uq.edu.au).

Bringing equality home: A new gender agenda

Project title	Bringing equality home: A new gender agenda
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	Program dates: 12 Jan – 20 Feb 2026 (6 weeks) Hours of engagement: 20 hours (5 hours per day/4 days) Mode: On-site, ISSR/LCC, Long Pocket
Description	Title Life Satisfaction and Time Use during the Transition to Parenthood: A Comparison between Australia and Germany Background The transition to parenthood is a pivotal life course event that reshapes wellbeing, gender roles, and family dynamics. Research shows that parenthood brings both rewards and strains, but these vary across countries depending on family policies, cultural expectations, and the division of labour. Life satisfaction, a global measure of wellbeing, often rises during pregnancy but can decline in the early years of childrearing, particularly for mothers. However, we know less about how differences in time use (paid work, unpaid domestic labour, childcare, and leisure) shape these gendered wellbeing trajectories, or how these patterns differ between countries such as Australia and Germany. Aim This project aims to compare the life satisfaction trajectories of mothers and fathers in Australia and Germany during the transition to parenthood and to examine how gendered time use contributes to these differences. Hypotheses Mothers will experience greater declines in life satisfaction than fathers following childbirth, reflecting unequal care and household responsibilities. These effects will be stronger in Germany, where traditional caregiving norms remain influential, compared to Australia. More equal divisions of paid and unpaid labour will be linked to higher life satisfaction for both mothers and fathers. Approach The project will use longitudinal panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Quantitative methods such as fixed-effects models and sequence analysis in R or Stata will be applied to assess life satisfaction trajectories before and after first birth. The summer scholar will contribute to literature reviews, data preparation, exploratory analysis, and the drafting of research outputs as part of the Bringing Equality Home: A New Gender Agenda research team. This project is funded by the Australian Research Council (FL230100104)
Expected outcomes and deliverables	Learning Outcomes By participating in this project, the summer scholar will: Gain hands-on experience developing research questions and identifying appropriate survey measures. Strengthen their ability to conduct systematic literature reviews and link empirical findings to theoretical frameworks in sociology and social policy. Gain some experience in quantitative data analyses. Learn how to work as part of a collaborative research team contributing to an ongoing comparative project. Deliverables During the project, the scholar will be expected to: Contribute to a targeted literature review on life satisfaction, time use, and parenthood. Work with senior project members to undertake exploratory analyses under supervision. Present preliminary findings in a short-written report and/or oral presentation to the research team. Contribute to sections of a draft Life course centre (LCC) working paper (methods, results, or background), with the potential for co-authorship depending on contribution.
Suitable for	This project is open to students in sociology, social policy, psychology, economics, education, or a related social science discipline with an interest in gender inequality. Preference will be given to 3rd- or 4th-year students who have some prior experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis. Familiarity with statistical software such as Stata or R is desirable.
Primary Supervisor	Professor Janeen Baxter Dr Suri Li
Further info	For further information please contact contact Principal Project Officer: Celeste Alcaraz (c.alcaraz@uq.edu.au) Project website: Bring Equality Home

Global immigration: How are immigrants and their children integrating across several countries?

Project title	Global immigration: How are immigrants and their children integrating across several countries?
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	Approximately 25-30 hours per week. Hybrid or on-site options are available.
Description	This project asks what does the integration of immigrants and their children look like across several host countries (e.g., United States, Australia, Canada, and Britain)? Do immigrants and their children have similar outcomes to the host population in some host countries but not others?
Expected outcomes and deliverables	Scholars will gain skills in conducting and writing literature reviews, generating tables, figures, and graphs to present results, preparing materials for journal articles and books, and have the opportunity to generate publications from their research. Students may also be asked to produce a report or oral presentation at the end of their project.
Suitable for	Open to students with a background in social science or related. Students with experience with quantitative analysis is preferrable but not required.
Primary Supervisor	Rennie Lee
Further info	Please contact supervisor prior to submitting an application (rennie.lee@uq.edu.au)

Cancer- Free Cultures monitoring and evaluation project

Project title	Cancer- Free Cultures monitoring and evaluation project
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	Hours of engagement: 3-4 days (21-28 hours) per week Mode: The preference is to be on-site, but it can be a hybrid arrangement
Description	The Cancer-Free Cultures Program, led by Ethnic Communities Council (ECCQ) with Cancer Council Queensland, empowers culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to improve cancer awareness, prevention, and screening through co-designed education, tailored tools, and strengthened referral pathways. With a community-led and culturally responsive approach, it focuses on underserved populations and aims to build long-term improvements in cancer prevention, care, and inclusion. Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) UQ is engaged as the evaluation partner for ECCQ’s Cancer-Free Cultures Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, providing advice and support throughout implementation. While ECCQ leads the development of culturally accessible data collection tools, data collection, analysis, and reporting, ISSR supports through guidance on the evaluation design, training (if required), and collaborative input. ECCQ will share deidentified monitoring data annually, enabling ISSR to prepare three monitoring reports, and both teams will collaborate on the final Evaluation Report.
Expected outcomes and deliverables	Scholar will be able to learn program evaluation and monitoring. Scholar will work with the team on the following tasks: Creation of a data monitoring template for ECCQ to use and report data Plan the sections of the monitoring report based on the monitoring framework Working with ECCQ to support them in creating evaluation tools including interview guides and surveys Amendments to a UQ ethics application Project management skills (creation of agendas, meeting minutes, keeping a list of actions and managing deliverables) Stakeholder engagement and research translation Potential opportunities to contribute to other projects at the institute
Suitable for	Eligibility for: 3^rdor 4^th year undergraduate students or Master by coursework student Students with interests in public health, community health and health equity Student who have basic quantitative and/or qualitative research skills Students who have an interest in evaluation, consulting and monitoring
Primary Supervisor	Miss Noor Yousef Dr Charlotte Young Noor and Charlie will support the student throughout their time at ISSR in guiding them through the tasks and providing feedback. We will work with the student to ensure they are gaining the experience they would like to have by the end of their summer scholar program.
Further info	For further information please contact Noor Yousef (n.yousef@uq.edu.au)

Reviewing the policies of metadata creation in Australia

Project title	Reviewing the policies of metadata creation in Australia
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	The candidate needs to be engaged 36 hours per week and can benefit from a hybrid work arrangement
Description	This project contributes to the improvement of Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) metadata. PLIDA is a flagship integrated administrative data initiative in Australia. This project involves reviewing the relevant policies and data documentation that will help improve metadata of selected modules of PLIDA . This review will also contribute to providing recommendations for the improvement of the metadata collection process.
Expected outcomes and deliverables	The applicant can expect to enhance their understanding of metadata creation, the process of policy review, and familiarise themselves with linked administrative data. This is also an opportunity for the candidate to gain real-world work experience on an externally funded project.
Suitable for	This position is suitable for 3^rd and 4^th year students who are interested in expanding their knowledge about metadata and linked administrative data. The successful applicant should possess strong attention to detail, effective self-organisation, and well-developed writing skills.
Primary Supervisor	Mahnoosh Hassankhani, Dr. Tomasz Zajac
Further info	For further information please contact Mahnoosh Hassankhanai (m.hassankhani@uq.edu.au)

Measures of social and economic vulnerability in social science and health research

Project title	Measures of social and economic vulnerability in social science and health research
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	Work will be conducted primarily on-site at the Institute for Social Science Research at the UQ Long Pocket Campus (shuttle available from St Lucia main campus; free parking available) in Indooroopilly. The summer scholar will work 20-36 hours per week for the period 12 Jan-20 Feb 2026.
Description	We are looking for a Summer Scholar to join an innovative project at the intersection of social sciences, health, and artificial intelligence (AI). The project is a collaboration between health researchers at Monash University and social science researchers based at the Institute for Social Science Research at UQ. By applying AI to electronic health records, the project aims to identify indicators of social disadvantage in health contexts and explore how they may influence health outcomes. As a part of the role, you will contribute to a literature review on measures of social and economic vulnerability such as poverty, food insecurity, and social isolation. The review forms foundation for the larger research project that uses AI large language models (LLM) to extract indicators of disadvantage from text data in patient medical records. Your work will play an important role in training the LLM and guiding the types of measures it is able to recognise in large-scale text data. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in the social determinants of health, social vulnerability, or the applications of AI in research.
Expected outcomes and deliverables	By participating in this project, the Summer Scholar can expect to: (1) develop skills in conducting a structured literature review, with a focus on measures of social and economic vulnerability; (2) gain experience working with interdisciplinary research teams across health and social sciences; (3) learn about the applications of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs) in analysing text-based health data; (4) improve critical thinking and academic writing skills, particularly in synthesising and evaluating diverse sources of literature. As part of the project, the Summer Scholar will be expected to: (1) conduct and document a comprehensive literature review on social and economic vulnerability measures; (2) produce a written summary report of the literature review; (3) present their findings to the research team in the form of an oral presentation at the end of the summer project; (4) potentially contribute to academic outputs (e.g. conference presentation) depending on the progress and scope of the work.
Suitable for	Students with strong skills in academic reading and writing, with the ability to critically analyse and synthesise literature; an interest in social determinants of health, social vulnerability; an understanding of social science literature related to economic and social disadvantage; an interest in the applications of AI and LLM in research.
Primary Supervisor	Principal supervisor - Matthew Curry Associate supervisor - Vanda Nissen
Further info	For further information please contact Matthew Curry (matthew.curry@uq.edu.au)

Understanding climate change experiences and pro-environmental behaviour in Australia

Project title	Understanding climate change experiences and pro-environmental behaviour in Australia
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	The hours of engagement will be between 20-36 hours per week and during the official program dates (12 Jan – 20 Feb 2026). The program will be offered on-site at Long Pocket and that scholars can work through a hybrid arrangement. The long pocket shuttle bus provides regular and free transport from St Lucia (10mins).
Description	Background and rationale Climate change is increasingly recognised as a global public health emergency, posing direct and indirect threats to human health and wellbeing. Climate hazards—such as extreme heat, bushfires, floods, and droughts—are becoming more frequent and intense across Australia, with significant psychological, social, and economic impacts. While scientific consensus around climate change is strong, public responses—particularly in the form of pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs)—remain variable across different population groups. There is growing interest in understanding how people experience climate hazards, what motivates or prevents them from engaging in climate-positive behaviours, and how these experiences vary across sociodemographic groups (e.g., age, gender, income, education). However, current literature on the lived experience of climate events and how it intersects with climate emotions (e.g., worry, anxiety, hope) and behavioural intentions remains limited in the Australian context. Study overview In February 2025, a nationally representative survey was conducted among 2,000 Australian adults. The survey captured self-reported data on: Experience of and exposure to climate-related events (e.g., bushfires, heatwaves, floods) Climate-related emotions (e.g., worry, anxiety, concern) Pro-environmental behaviours (e.g., reducing car use, dietary changes, energy conservation) Motivations and perceived barriers to adopting sustainable lifestyle practices Sociodemographic information (e.g., age, gender, education, income, location) These data provide a unique opportunity to explore how Australians perceive and respond to climate change, and to identify actionable insights to support climate adaptation and behaviour change strategies. Aim and objectives The primary aim of this student research project is to develop and implement a quantitative data analysis plan using the survey dataset, to explore the relationship between climate hazard experiences, climate emotions, and pro-environmental behaviours across different demographic groups. Potential research questions To investigate the association between exposure to climate hazards and self-reported pro-environmental behaviours. To assess the relationship between climate-related emotions (e.g., worry) and motivation to act on climate change. To identify common barriers and enablers to adopting pro-environmental behaviours, including how these vary across sociodemographic groups. The final research question will be refined collaboratively with the student, based on: A scoping literature review to identify knowledge gaps The student’s specific interests and academic background Practical considerations of the dataset and available variables Methodology Data Source: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 2,000 Australian adults (February 2025). Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional study. Analysis Approach: Descriptive statistics to summarise the sample and key variables. Bivariate analyses (e.g., chi-square tests, t-tests) to examine associations. Multivariable regression models. Data analysis will be conducted using Stata, R, or other (based on student preference and training).
Expected outcomes and deliverables	A clear understanding of factors influencing pro-environmental behaviours among Australians. Insight into how climate-related experiences and emotions shape motivation for climate action. Policy-relevant findings to inform communication and engagement strategies targeting diverse demographic groups. A structured analysis suitable for an academic publication.
Suitable for	Quantitative data analysis skills. Background in social sciences, public health, environmental sciences. 3rd-4th Year students only. Experience of using STATA or R. Experience of regression analysis.
Primary Supervisor	A/Prof Jon Olsen
Further info	For further information please contact A/Prof Jon Olsen (j.olsen@uq.edu.au).

Inclusive education for young people experiencing intersectional disadvantage

Project title	Inclusive education for young people experiencing intersectional disadvantage
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	Project is offered on site, but open to a hybrid arrangement
Description	The summer scholar will work with the project lead to contribute to peer reviewed publications related to inclusive education for young people experiencing intersectional disadvantage. This includes young people who are in the out of home care system, young people with disability, and young people living in socioeconomic disadvantaged circumstances. Proposed paper – Inclusive education from the perspective of foster and kinship carers The paper will draw on qualitative data collected from a multi-perspective longitudinal qualitative study funded by the ARC that includes the voices of children, birth parents, and foster and kinship carers to explore the social and emotional well-being and connections to culture of children in OOHC.
Expected outcomes and deliverables	The summer scholar will have the opportunity analyse qualitative data using NVivo, contribute to the literature review, and co-author a publication. During your placement you will learn valuable research skills through experiential learning that you will be able to use in your research courses/projects. You will also gain exposure to a research focused environment. A/Prof Povey leads complex mixed methods evaluations and other impactful research for government and industry, so there may be other opportunities to get exposure to this work while undertaking the summer scholar placement.
Suitable for	This project is open to applications from scholars with a background in social work, psychology, sociology, social science or similar disciplines. Some proficiency with NVivo is preferred, but not essential.
Primary Supervisor	A/Prof Jenny Povey
Further info	For further information please contact A/Prof Jenny Povey (j.povey@uq.edu.au)

Innovating Indigenous housing policy in Queensland—What can other contexts teach us?

Project title	Innovating Indigenous housing policy in Queensland—What can other contexts teach us?
Hours of engagement & delivery mode	3 days per week each week between 12 Jan-20 Feb 2026 – flexible about which days over this period – onsite or hybrid arrangement possible.
Description	The Institute of Social Science Research (ISSR) has established a collaborative research partnership with Queensland’s Indigenous housing peak body. Building on foundational work that is being undertaken around Indigenous home ownership and homelessness, this summer project invites a student researcher to investigate policy innovations that could inform future strategies and help strengthen housing outcomes for Indigenous communities in Queensland. The project will focus on identifying and mapping innovative housing policies and programs—both within Australia and internationally—with the aim of shaping a future research proposal. This proposal will focus on understanding how innovations might be adapted or transferred to the Queensland context, contributing to more effective and culturally responsive housing policy. Project objectives: Investigate innovative Indigenous housing policies and programs across diverse jurisdictions. Document promising examples that could be explored further. Contribute to early thinking and development of a research proposal focused on advancing Indigenous housing policy innovation in Queensland. Key activities/tasks for the project: Rapid scoping review: conduct a targeted review of literature and grey literature to identify innovative Indigenous housing policies and programs in Australia and internationally. Annotated bibliography: create an annotated bibliography to document innovations identified. Proposal development: assist in drafting a research proposal that synthesizes the findings of the rapid scoping review, highlights key opportunities for policy learning and transfer, and outlines a preliminary approach for exploring these ideas in greater depth.
Expected outcomes and deliverables	The participant in this project will develop a rich mix of research, analytical, and cross-cultural competencies, including: Advanced literature searching and review skills, with a focus on locating and evaluating literature and policy documents relevant to Indigenous housing. Development of an annotated bibliography, synthesizing key sources with information links, and insights that support future research. Knowledge of Indigenous housing issues, policy, and programs – with a focus on understanding current challenges and identifying emerging solutions. Critical insight into cross-cultural policy design and framing, including why Indigenous-specific responses may be needed in Indigenous housing, the significance of Indigenous-led approaches and self-determination, and the importance of tailoring policy innovations to cultural contexts and community priorities. Training and hands-on experience in research proposal development, including framing research questions, identifying policy learning opportunities and outlining pathways for further investigation. The participant will contribute to existing knowledge and that knowledge can influence policy development and actions that improve Indigenous housing outcomes in Queensland. There is potential for co-authorship with the participant, based on the research findings. The participant will be expected to: Create and deliver an annotated bibliography that maps innovations, with links to key literature/policy documents. Participate in collaborative discussions and reflections. Support the drafting of a research proposal. Present their findings and reflections.
Suitable for	This project is ideal for: 4th-year students with a background or interest in Indigenous rights, policy and social justice; public policy; housing and homelessness; or social research. Students keen to develop skills in policy research, especially in navigating grey literature and real-world policy contexts Those interested in learning how to conceptualise and draft research proposals and research articles. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are especially encouraged to apply, and will be supported to bring their lived experience and perspectives into the project process in meaningful and respectful ways.
Primary Supervisor	Prof. Tim Reddel & Dr Laurel Johnson – project oversight Dr Jenny van der Arend – day-to-day supervision and support
Further info	For further information please contact Jenny van der Arend ( jenny.vanderarend@uq.edu.au)