Data is essential to good decision making. Knowing how people behave, what they think, and what they desire is the vital basis for making decisions that can best address their needs in a changing society. 

Understanding how to use this data and turn it into solutions that resonate is at the heart of the Graduate Certificate of Social Research. And it is what attracts students to this new program at ANU, students like Stephen. 

“If you're at all interested in people then you need social research skills, whether it be to examine the impact of social media on people's lives, to examine how people think, feel and behave on any issue through to evaluating policies & programs meant to improve people's lives.” says Stephen. 

Stephen has qualifications in Psychology and Sociology, and has worked as a psychologist, education manager, and senior policy officer, across the tertiary, community, and public sectors. He wants to expand his existing skills and gain new ones. 

“I want to gain social research skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods & expand upon existing skills at the postgraduate level.” 

Social research touches on decision making at every level of government, and across a myriad of issues that affect us every day. Stephen recognises many pressing issues in Australia today rely on better understanding to find a solution. 

“Moving to fossil fuel free sustainable communities and confronting the effects of climate change, developing a First Nations treaty and voice in all levels of government, and working on improving health & education generally, but specifically in health & science literacy.“