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Thursday 16 October
9:00am - 9:50am
Conference Welcome
9:50am - 10:30am
Plenary Panel Discussion #1
10:30am - 11:00am
MORNING TEA
11:00am - 12:00pm
Fishbowl Session 1 - Youth
Young people score 50 points above the average for acceptance, what can be done to harness that and build our social cohesion?
Facilitator: Kano Ravalji – Youth Commission, Victorian Multicultural Commission
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Phy Mei Liu – Director of Research and Program Evaluation, Future Women
Lydia Tesema - Founder, Below the Surface
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Fishbowl Session 2 - Women
Why are women crucial to our social cohesion and to the successful transition of others joining our communities?
Facilitator: Padmini Sebastian - Director, Engagement and Partnerships, University of Melbourne
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Farhat Firdous – Director, Story is Connection
Eva Hussain – Executive Director, Polaron
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Fishbowl Session 3 - Neighbourhoods
People are happier when they live in areas of high neighbourhood cohesion, how do we strengthen that cohesion?
Facilitator: Rebecca Wringe
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Rosita Vincent – Co-CEO and Founder, Neighbourhood Collective Australia
Michelle James - Manager, Neighbourhoods, City of Melbourne
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Workshop 1 - How To Do Good Qualitative Research
This workshop is designed for those interested in conducting research or gaining a better understanding of how to approach it, particularly in the context of social cohesion. It will cover best-practice qualitative methods, including how to develop strong research questions, conduct interviews and focus groups, and analyse rich, narrative-driven data. Participants will explore how qualitative research can capture lived experiences and deepen understanding of community dynamics.
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Trish Prentice – Senior Researcher, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute​
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Workshop 2 - How To Do Good Quantitative Research
Ideal for those looking to conduct or better understand research, this workshop introduces best-practice approaches to quantitative methods with a focus on social cohesion. Participants will learn how to design effective surveys, apply sound sampling techniques, collect reliable data, and interpret statistical findings. The session will equip attendees with the tools to generate meaningful insights that can shape programs, policies, and community initiatives.
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Dr Rouven Link - Senior Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Dr James O’Donnell, Demographer, Australian National University
12:00pm - 1:15pm
LUNCH
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Fishbowl Session 4 - Youth
Young people score 50 points above the average for acceptance, what can be done to harness that and build our social cohesion?
Facilitator: Aggelos Makrigiorgos
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Elvis Tran
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Fishbowl Session 5 - Women
Why are women crucial to our social cohesion and to the successful transition of others joining our communities?
Facilitators: Tigst Kebede - Founder, Senior Trauma Counsellor and Executive Coac, Pola Practice
Nasalifya Namwinga - Founder, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Research Lead, PhD Studen, Pola Practice
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Fishbowl Session 6 - Neighbourhoods
People are happier when they live in areas of high neighbourhood cohesion, how do we strengthen that cohesion?
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Workshop 3 - The Social Cohesion Compass
Learn how to use the Social Cohesion Compass, a data visualisation tool developed by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute to explore social cohesion and democratic resilience at the Local Government Area level. This session will use practical examples of LGAs to unpack key indicators of social cohesion, helping participants interpret localised data and understand community strengths and challenges.
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​Dr John van Kooy – Senior Manager, Research, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Phoebe Johnston – Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
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Workshop 4 - Program Design for Social Cohesion Initiatives
Learn how to design effective programs that address social cohesion at the community or local level. This session will explore practical frameworks and real-world case studies, offering insights into what works, why it works, and how to tailor initiatives to meet the needs of diverse communities.
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Anthea Hancocks – CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Plenary Panel Discussion #2
3:30pm - 4:00pm
AFTERNOON TEA
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Anthea Hancocks - CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Jon Faine AM, Former Radio Presenter, Broadcaster, Writer and Public Speaker
Keynote Presentation
Dr James O’Donnell – Demographer, Australian National University
Dr Rouven Link – Senior Research Analyst, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
Annual Update from the Mapping Social Cohesion Survey
In a time of rapid change, what anchors us as Australians—and how do we protect and grow that?
Viv Nguyen AM – Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
Kos Samaras – Director, RedBridge Group
George Savvides AM – Former Chairman, SBS Australia
Closing Remarks and Reflections
The breakout sessions are deliberately designed to spark meaningful dialogue and deeper conversations on social cohesion. Breakout sessions will use the Fishbowl technique, a participatory format that allows large groups to engage in a single, evolving conversation. A small group of speakers begins in the centre—“the fishbowl”—while others listen from the surrounding seats. Audience members can choose which session to join, and will first hear from experts from different sectors, then they can join the discussion by rotating into the centre, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and a dynamic, inclusive exchange of ideas.
If social cohesion starts where we live, learn, and lead—are women, youth, and neighbourhoods Australia’s true cohesion architects?
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Dr Mario Peucker – Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, Victoria University
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