Project Overview

The current cost of living crisis in Australia, exemplified by the lack of housing supply and affordability, has widened the health equity gap, with many affected populations left behind or invisible in public health responses. This includes migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds, including those on temporary visas, such as international students. Migration and other social determinants of health, such as housing, are policy issues that cause considerable tension and division both at the community and political level. However, one in two Australians was born, or had a parent born, overseas.  

Migrants from CaLD backgrounds, continue to be underrepresented in Australian health and social policy and experience a range of health and social disparities, including housing insecurity. Population mobility and migration may increase vulnerability to housing insecurity and other social determinants of health, along with a range of communicable and non-communicable health issues. Influencing factors include the level of control over travel, transnational health practices, individual and organisational health literacy, cultural and linguistic diversity, migration and health policy, social networks, and support in the country of origin and destination. For example, asylum seekers and refugees are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health issues increasing the risk of homelessness. This may be due to settlement processes, loss of connection with country of origin and stress associated with seeking asylum. In turn, people who experience homelessness or housing stress are often at risk of a range of mental and physical health issues, social exclusion, and discrimination.  

Those on temporary visas, including international students, may experience greater disparities, particularly in the context of current migration and other policies. For example, while international students continue to be a major source of revenue for Australia, the current discourse surrounding both migration and housing has not been favourable. Community perceptions contribute to government policy agenda, and in turn, these agendas shape community attitudes. These can negatively influence the social determinants of health and increase structural racism, discrimination and systemic inequalities. Consequently, housing, health and migration policy has not kept pace with changing demographic needs in Australia and the result is worsened health and social outcomes for many.

Aims

The research aims to explore how government, media, and community discourse on migration, housing, and other social determinants of health affect the health and social outcomes of migrants from CaLD backgrounds, particularly those on temporary visas, such as international students.

Objectives

The research will: 
• Explore media sentiment regarding migration, housing and other social determinants of health 
• Document community attitudes towards migration, housing and other social determinants of health  
• Map current policy and service responses towards migration, housing and other social determinants of health  
• Explore the perspectives of policymakers and service providers to address the housing and other social determinants of health needs of migrants on temporary visas 
• Explore the perspectives of migrants on temporary visas regarding their experience of housing and other social determinants of health

Significance 

Migrants from CaLD backgrounds continue to be absent in many health and social welfare policies and strategies in Australia. Current Australian public policy related to housing and migration may contribute to negative public perceptions of migrants, exacerbate experiences of stigma and discrimination, and play a role in poor health outcomes. Understanding the intersections between health, housing and migration is critical to reducing these inequities. Given the current paucity of information and action relating to migration and cultural and linguistic diversity, outcomes will contribute to influencing a range of jurisdictional and national health and social policies.

The scholar will be based in the Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH), facilitating a multidisciplinary training experience. CERIPH will provide infrastructure support, professional development, teaching and learning integration and facilitate knowledge translation. The scholar will work with established teams in migration health and cross-cultural research. Current projects include the Journey to Home project, the Department of Health Community of Practice for Action on HIV and Mobility, the Australian Research Council Migrant Blood-borne Virus and Sexual Health Survey, the Healthway M-Peer migrant mental health peer project and the Department of Health NEXUS2 study. The scholar will work alongside and be mentored by PhD scholars and researchers and participate in the activities of CERIPH including lunch and learn sessions and social activities. The scholar will work alongside external organisations to support knowledge translation. Research aims are congruent with the aims of Curtin’s enAble Institute, specifically the Mental Health Domain. The project will contribute to more than a decade of work by CERIPH and build WA research capacity and the development of the Odyssey Population Mobility and Migration Research Hub. It will continue to raise Curtin’s profile as a key contributor to research to address a range of health issues and determinants that result from cross-border movement. This vision is congruent with Curtin’s strategic priority to identify and enable areas of emerging research capability.

An internship may be available for this project. This project may provide an internship opportunity. The scholar will be provided with the opportunity to work closely with partners of the Journey to Home project for example the Mental Health Commission, Office for Multicultural Interests, Department for Communities, Ethnic Communities Council of WA, Shelter, Multicultural Services Centre of WA, Multicultural Futures.

• Future Students

• Faculty of Health Sciences

• Higher Degree by Research

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• International Student

• Merit Based

The annual scholarship package, covering both stipend and tuition fees, amounts to approximately $70,000 per year.

In 2024, the RTP stipend scholarship offers $35,000 per annum for a duration of up to three years. Exceptional progress and adherence to timelines may qualify students for a six-month completion scholarship.

Selection for these scholarships involves a competitive process, with shortlisted applicants notified of outcomes by November 2024.

1

All applicable HDR courses.

This project will suit an applicant with a strong commitment to social justice, health equity, and an interest in underserved populations? Ideally, the applicant will have: 
• a background in public health, health promotion, social or behavioural sciences;  
• an interest in community-facing, policy-relevant research; 
• strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills; 
• excellent written communication skills including the peer-reviewed and grey literature; 
• experience and/or interest in co-design and emancipatory principles; 
• strong project management skills;  
• ability to work independently and as part of a team; and 
• experience or interest in qualitative and mixed methods research.

 

Please send your CV, academic transcripts and brief rationale why you want to join this research project via the HDR Expression of Interest form to the project lead researcher, listed below. 

You must be enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2025.

Project Lead: Associate Professor Gemma Crawford