Publications
Both the Academic Research Series and the Student Research Series (see below) are published on an ad hoc basis, and are often related to projects being completed as part of other projects carried out by the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion.
Academic research series
The UTS Shopfront Academic Research Series publishes research which is relevant to communities of interest or practice beyond the university and integrates community concerns, academic rigour and an accessible style.
The series presents original research which is of interest and relevance to community workers and organisations, policymakers and non-government organisations, service providers, advocates and activists.
The series is published by UTSePress and open to contributions across all disciplines and encourages contributions from Early Career Researchers (ECR) and those producing interdisciplinary and/or collaborative research. Further information from Lisa Andersen.
Current Publications
The Power of One on One: Human Libraries and the challenges of antiracism work
By Tanja Dreher and Jemima Mowbray (2012)
This monograph is the first comprehensive and independent analysis of Human Libraries (formerly Living Libraries) in Australia. ‘Human Libraries’ refers to an innovative social inclusion community initiative developed in Europe that is increasingly being adopted by public libraries across Australia, and by some community groups and government agencies. It also contributes to the scholarly debates on anti-racism work and on the benefits and limits of cross-cultural contact or dialogue within that work.
Rough Living: Surviving Violence and Homelessness
By Catherine Robinson (2010)
This publications reveals the ways in which intense chains of disadvantage incorporating homelessness are triggered by very early experiences of violence. Drawing on biographic interviews with six men and six women, the project bears witness not only to horrendous repeated experiences of physical and sexual violence but discusses what may be understood as related multi-dimensional vulnerability in areas such as physical and mental health, education, employment and social connectedness. A picture of the long-term cycles of violent victimisation and homelessness and their compounding traumatising effects are made clear and the importance of trauma-informed service delivery is outlined as a key way forward.
Technology's Refuge: The Use of Technology by Asylum Seekers and Refugees
By Dr Linda Leung (2009)
This research investigates the use of Information communication technologies (ICT) by refugees and asylum seekers during flight and displacement and in settlement. It reveals struggles to get news on their families and friends and to maintain contact. ICTs are a modern necessity but for many refugees limited access to these technologies in detention centres affected their wellbeing and ability to settle in Australia.
Doing the Rights Thing: Approaches to Human Rights and Campaigning
By Damien Spry (2007)
This publication deals with recent human rights and advocacy campaigning in Australia and examines Amnesty International's long-term, universalising approach - based on international human rights principles - alongside smaller, local campaigns focused on concrete political outcomes such as the 2006 refugee rights campaigns by A Just Australia, Chilout and GetUp.
Whose Responsibility? Community Anti-Racism Strategies after September 11, 2001
By Dr Tanja Dreher (2007)
This monograph documents and analyses the many ways in which communities experiencing racism after September 11, 2001 have responded to increased prejudice, harassment and discrimination. This report is based on extensive community consultations and interviews with Arab, Muslim and Sikh communities in Sydney and highlights the responses developed by targeted communities, including strategies of Interfaith, cross-cultural education, media responses and community cultural development work.
'Targeted' Experiences of Racism in NSW after September 11, 2001
By Dr Tanja Dreher (2006)
'Targeted' analysed data collected by the anti-racism hotline established by the Community Relations Commission For A Multicultural NSW. Besides revealing that overseas events have serious impact on community relations in Australia, the monograph also noted that the crisis also produced opportunities for dialogue, support and collaboration between communities.
Accommodation in Crisis: Forgotten Women in Western Sydney
By Dr Catherine Robinson and Dr Rose Searby (2005)
A joint project between Parramatta Mission and Shopfront, this research project investigated crisis accommodation for single homeless women in Western Sydney. The report received significant media coverage and positive reactions from federal and state government agencies.
Student research series
A occasional series of work made available via OPUS, the UTS institutional repository that showcases excellence in student research completed through UTS Shopfront.
By Alexandra Djurichkovic (2011)
This review was commissioned by Arts Access Australia to examine evidence for the value of visual arts programs in Australian prisons and their impact on adult inmates. It considers current philosophies behind art programs, how they are implemented and how ‘success’ is measured. It includes a foreword by Gareth Wreford and an annotated bibliography of relevant literature.
By Lucy Marshall (2006)
This report was commissioned by the Neighbourhood Centre Forum and focuses on current challenges facing the 22 community-run Neighbourhood Centres in Sydney's Inner City, Inner West and East areas. The future of the Centres is threatened by lack of core funding, overworked staff and volunteers, increases in the cost of Public Liability Insurance and the problems inherent in all levels of government running social services as 'business,' through competitive tendering and franchised service providers.
ARE WE AWARE? Understanding contemporary issues affecting young people on the Northern Beaches
By Shane Eccleston (2006)
This research project was conducted on behalf of the Northern Beaches Youth Community Fund. This report updated The Northern Beaches 'Codes of Silence' report (1999) by identifying the contemporary issues affecting young people - between 12-24 years of age - on Sydney's Northern Beaches. One of the primary recommendations the Fund is acting on is to develop a clearing-house on youth issues.