Appendix W: The Wallis Social Research Podcast

Wallis Social Research
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Appendix W is the podcast where we dive deep into the science of society. Brought to you by Wallis Social Research, each episode we will explore the ideas, data, and/or people shaping our understanding of human behaviour, policy, and culture. Join us as we unpack the stories behind the studies, challenge assumptions, and uncover what makes our world tick.

Episodes

  1. 11/11/2025

    Longitudinally Yours: 30 Years of LSAY

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Ronnie Semo and Tasman Swanton from National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) as well as Julie Higgs (former Wallis data analyst) about all things LSAY (Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth). Some topics include: ·       The impetus for commencing LSAY o   How it was tied to the 1973 oil shock and subsequent economic crisis. ·       The evolution of survey methodology during the 1990s ·       How the LSAY team managed to stay in contact with participants over the ten-year longitudinal tracking period of age 15 to 25 years old. ·       Key findings and impacts of LSAY on society ·       Outcomes of VET education vs University education ·       Outcomes of independent vs government schools. ·       Reminisce of some favourite aspects of LSAY – we vote for the socks! This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy. For more information about LSAY, visit https://www.lsay.edu.au/

    36 min

  2. 09/29/2025

    The Culture of Caution: Why young people are taking less risks than their parents

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Associate Professor Michael Livingston, one of the authors of  a recently released book "Young People, Alcohol, and Risk: A Culture of Caution". Some topics include: ·       The change in youth culture from daring to risk averse ·       Changes in alcohol use ·       The extent that there is an impact of delaying (or expediting) introduction to alcohol ·       Trends in other risk-taking behaviours with young people ·       The extent to which these trends in other behaviours might be influenced by the trend in alcohol consumption ·       The extent to which these changes in adolescence stick around in the mid-20s ·       The impact of digital and surveillance technology, as well as social media etc ·       The implications of these trends on our future ·       The next areas of focus for policy and reach ·       Potential unforeseen downsides of these otherwise positive developments This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy. Associate Professor Michael Livingston is a leading researcher at Curtin University's National Drug Research Institute, specialising in youth alcohol use, including long-term trends and policy impacts.  A list of his publications can be found here: https://staffportal.curtin.edu.au/staff/profile/view/michael-livingston-39280c06/ And, as mentioned, Michael is also one two contributors to very long running (and excellent) food blog focussing on reviews of vegetarian and veg-friendly establishments. The blog is called "Where's the Beef" and can be found at https://herestheveg.blogspot.com/

    34 min

  3. 08/27/2025

    The Dating Game: Reducing consumer food waste

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Professor Lukas Parker about food waste and how date labels could be a key part of the puzzle. Some topics include: ·       The scale of the food waste problem in Australia and globally ·       The need to move beyond guilt as a focus of the problem ·       The food categories that are most problematic in terms of wastage ·       The inspiration for seeing packaging design and date labels as a key part of the puzzle ·       Key insights from the research To find out more about the research, visit: https://endfoodwaste.com.au/national-date-labelling-and-storage-advice-phase-1/ There you will be able to find a link to other documents, including the final report for Phase 1, including label designs on page 17-18.  https://endfoodwaste.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2503_EFWCRC_124_Final-Report.pdf This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy. Associate Professor Lukas Parker is a leading social marketing and advertising scholar whose research sits at the nexus of behaviour change, communicating health and digital advertising. Leading teams of researchers, his research addresses pressing social problems related to health and sustainability. He has over fifty peer-reviewed publications including influential co-authored books Social Marketing and Advertising in the Age of Social Media (2020) and Social Marketing and Behaviour Change: Models, theory and applications (2014) which guide social marketing practitioners and scholars. Associate Professor Parker leads 3C (Communication and Change Co-lab) that undertakes projects that create change through communication - whether that be social, behavioural, or cultural. He also co-leads Co-Lab.

    46 min

  4. 07/22/2025

    Alone Together: Unpacking the Loneliness Epidemic

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Professor Michelle Lim for Loneliness Awareness Week, #Momentsmatter. Some topics include: ·       How loneliness has always afflicted humanity, even in ancient times ·       The epiphany that led Michelle to focus on the loneliness epidemic ·       How researchers define loneliness and understanding the difference between transient and persistent or chronic loneliness. ·       Understanding that loneliness and social isolation aren't always existing in simple connection. ·       The stigma of loneliness ·       Common misperceptions about loneliness, especially in terms of who is most at risk ·       The scale of the loneliness problem in Australia and in other parts of the world ·       The impact of COVID-19 social distancing and working-from-home etc ·       Health consequences of loneliness ·       Economic consequences ·       How Ending Loneliness Together seeks to tackles the problem ·       Important role of awareness ·       Guide to action to help yourself of someone you know Tio find out more about the Loneliness Awareness Week, please visit https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/ This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy. Dr Michelle Lim is the inaugural Chairperson and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together and CEO of Ending Loneliness Together.  https://endingloneliness.com.au/ Associate Professor Lim is also the Director of the Social Health and Wellbeing Group at the School of Public Health, the University of Sydney. Associate Professor Lim led the development of the National Strategy for Loneliness and Social Isolation in Australia and have written two government White Papers on this issue. She is also chief investigator of the Australian Loneliness Report (2018) and the Young Australian Loneliness Survey (2019). Her work informs the Australian government, not-for-profit, and corporate sector.  In 2020, Dr Lim also cofounded and was the inaugural co-director of the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection, an international coalition of organisations across 12 countries committed to ending the pressing global issue of loneliness and social isolation.

    39 min

  5. 06/16/2025

    The Privacy Bargain – Exploring the trade-offs between privacy, protection, and policy in the digital age.

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Professor Chris Berg and ADIA CEO Sarah Campbell just in time for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's (OAIC) annual Privacy Awareness Week Some topics include: ·       Do people even care about privacy anymore? ·       Why so many of us give away our personal data ·       Privacy policy reform ·       Tensions in privacy policy ·       The measures legitimate research organisations take to protect privacy ·       Cyber security – the domain of the private sector or government? ·       The case example of Bunnings and facial recognition technology ·       The impact of AI technology ·       The potential impact of quantum computing To find out more about the OAIC's Privacy Awareness Week, please visit https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/events/privacy-awareness-week/paw-2025 Professor Chris Berg is co-founder of RMIT's Blockchain Innovation Hub. Chris is a professor of Economics, one of Australia's  most prominent voices for free markets and individual liberty, and a leading global authority on the intersection of regulation, technological change, and civil liberties.  Visit https://chrisberg.org/ to get more of Chris, or follow him on LinkedIn. Sarah Campbell is CEO of the Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA). ADIA is the peak industry body for data, insights and research organisations in Australia. ADIA represents close to 100 of Australia's leading companies in that industry.  Visit https://dataandinsights.com.au/ to find out more about Sarah and ADIA. This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy.

    59 min

  6. 05/26/2025

    Listening First: Conducting respectful research with First Nations communities

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Carol Vale, CEO of Murawin, an Aboriginal-owned and led consultancy specialising in social research, evaluation, and engagement with First Nations communities.  Anthony and Carol discuss the importance of undertaking culturally responsive social research with First Nations peoples, and some of the sensitivities and considerations around that. Some topics include: ·       Carol's background – where she grew up, her education pathway, and how and why Carol got into social research ·       The origins of Murawin ·       The place of First Nations languages ·       The principles of ethical and culturally safe research ·       Common mistakes researchers make ·       Prof. Maggie Walter and Indigenous Data sovereignty ·       Future directions for  First Nations Research ·       Key take aways Tio find out more about Murawin, please visit https://murawin.com.au/ Carol Vale is a Dunghutti woman and CEO and cofounder of Murawin. She is a professional facilitator, social researcher, & policy analyst with expertise in Indigenous issues, public policy, & stakeholder engagement. This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy.

    45 min

  7. 05/14/2025

    Opening up the Man Box

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Matt Tyler, Executive Director of The Men's Project at Jesuit Social Services, about a fascinating study called "The Man Box". The term "The Man Box" refers to a set of rigid social norms that shape masculinity and impact men's well-being, relationships, and behaviours. Some topics include: ·       Understanding what the Man Box is and it relationship with toxic masculinity as well as positive expressions of masculinity. ·       How the Man Box concept was developed ·       Impact of the Man Box mentality on men's mental health and relationships ·       Scope of any possible cultural or socio-economic differences, and why these differences are not so apparent ·       Some changes from 2018 to 2024 iterations. o   Differences in perceptions of societal norms vs differences in personal attitudes ·       Challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting more positive expressions of masculinity (rather than erasing masculinity) ·       What age to introduce education re expressions of masculinity ·       The future for Man Box Research To find out more about the Man Box 2024 research, a comprehensive study that focuses on the attitudes to manhood and the behaviours of Australian men aged 18 to 45, visit the website at: https://jss.org.au/programs/research/the-man-box/ To find out more about the Men's Project, developing "Good men. Respectful relationships. Safe Communities", visit the website at: https://jss.org.au/programs/the-mens-project/ Matt Tyler is the Executive Director of The Men's Project at Jesuit Social Services where for the last six years he has led a team committed to reducing men's violence and promoting flourishing amongst men and boys themselves. Prior to working at Jesuit Social Services, Matt has had several interesting roles with a focus on translating research into practice, including working as a Fellow for Harvard's Government Performance Lab, with a focus on child protection. This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy.

    49 min

  8. 03/27/2025

    The Digital Lives of Young Australians

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Jackie Coates, the CEO of the Telstra Foundation, about the Australian Youth Digital Index (2024)— which could be described as a comprehensive look at how young Australians engage with the digital world.  Topics include         What the Telstra Foundation is and why they supported this research         An understanding of what the Australian Youth Digital Index (AYDI) is         How the digital landscape has evolved for young people           Some interesting findings from the AYDI research           Digital inclusion among young people in Australia           Online safety and wellbeing           Potential overuse of digital technology           The recommendations of American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, and whether there is a moral panic about           AI and digital literacy, and the impact on preparedness for the workplace           Current and future research being supported by the Telstra Foundation           Some online mental health resources for young people           Key takeaway message from Jackie To find out more about the Australian Youth Digital Index, visit the website at: https://australianyouthdigitalindex.com/ Unwind your mind with Mello, the free mental health app designed by Orygen Digital to give you effective relief from stuck thinking - the root cause of anxiety and depression. More information about the Mello mental health app can be found at: https://www.mello.org.au/ PROJECT ROCKIT and Telstra Foundation are partnering to deliver youth-focused digital wellbeing programs to 30,000 young people across Australia over the next three years. Nominate your school: https://www.projectrockit.com.au/ Visit ReachOut: https://au.reachout.com/ Follow Telstra Foundation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/telstra-foundation/ See what Telstra Foundatin is up to online: https://telstrafoundation.com/ This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy.

    34 min

  9. 03/02/2025

    Our Energy Futures – The experience of seniors with the energy transition

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Marshida Kolthoff, from the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, about the experiences of the energy transition for those in an older age bracket.  Some of the main topics discussed include:         Understanding what the energy transition is         The cost-of-living challenges many older people face, especially around energy use         The conduct of the research, and the most interesting and/or surprising findings from the research         Challenges and opportunities of the energy transition for older people         Types of support needed and available to older people to help navigate the energy transition         Broader implications of the research         What action can be taken by various stakeholders to facilitate positive outcomes The full published report can be found at: https://cotavic.org.au/policy/publication/our-energy-futures/ Marshida Kolthoff is the Policy & Advocacy Manager at COTA Victoria. In this role, Marshida leads policy initiatives and advocacy efforts to drive meaningful outcomes for older members of the community. This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy.

    25 min

  10. 02/11/2025

    The Greenwash Cycle

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Marianne Campbell, who heads up research at the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC), about consumer confusion regarding environmental product claims, such those often seen in the media, advertising, and on product packaging or labels, especially on large appliances. Some of the main topics discussed include ·       Emergence of green marketing / green claims on consumer products ·       Defining 'greenwashing' and gauging how widespread it is ·       What consumers want from environmental information/labels ·       Some examples of misleading information that the CPRC has found ·       The impact of greenwashing on consumer trust ·       Systems of regulation in Australia and Europe ·       The challenges of repairing products ·       Repairability and durability ratings ·       What consumers can do to protect themselves   Marianne Campbell is the Senior Research and Engagement Advisor at the CPRC. In this role, Marianne designs and undertakes comprehensive consumer research to inform and underpin policy recommendations that will protect and advocate for consumers. Marianne has worked in consumer and social sciences for close to two decades, having worked for the Cancer Council South Australia, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and a leading national market research agency.

    41 min

  11. 12/08/2024

    On the Road to Safety - A conversation with the TAC

    Anthony Frosh speaks with Samantha Cockfield, the Head of Road Safety at the Transport Accident Commission, about developments in road safety and the research behind those developments.  On this episode, Anthony is also joined by Ben Bishop. Ben heads up Road Safety research at Wallis Social Research and has done so for well over a decade.  Some of the main topics discussed include  Historical overview of road safety  The importance of gauging and understanding community attitudes in order to educate people to be safer on our roads  The role of enforcement vs attitude change in improving road safety in a liberal open society  Influencing the individual vs improving the wider road safety system  The impact of technological changes on road safety  Future directions in road safety  Samantha Cockfield is Executive General Manager of Road Safety at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).  Samantha is responsible for the development and delivery of the TAC's road safety strategy which spans road infrastructure, vehicle safety initiatives and a range of programs designed to improve road user behaviours.  Sam has led the development and delivery of numerous behavioural programs including many of the TAC's iconic public education campaigns.  Sam has dedicated her career to the elimination of death and serious injury on the road - advocating for road safety both regionally and internationally. She has considerable experience in strategy development and is considered an international expert  Sam was awarded the 2017 Australasian College of Road Safety Fellowship in 2017 and in 2020 was a member of the Academic Expert Group providing recommendations to the United Nations for global road safety collaboration to 2030.

    50 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Appendix W is the podcast where we dive deep into the science of society. Brought to you by Wallis Social Research, each episode we will explore the ideas, data, and/or people shaping our understanding of human behaviour, policy, and culture. Join us as we unpack the stories behind the studies, challenge assumptions, and uncover what makes our world tick.

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