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Society & Culture

Australia as a progressive and diverse nation is facing societal change on a national and global scale. Research at ECU will guide this progress. Our research impacts and supports social change through ensuring diversity, creativity, cultural identity, education, personal and organisational success and social justice.

World-Class Research updates

ECU has a vibrant research community, actively supporting our student and staff researchers. We continually seek opportunities to collaborate with other universities and to work with organisations and businesses to commercialise research outcomes.

Australian magpie perching on a page of sheet music
Musical inspiration

Bird song

New research from ECU has focused on birdsong, where native Western Australian birds are the composers, paired with experimental instruments in an engaging new music project.

Teacher reading to students
CHILDRENS’ LITERATURE

Kids' books missing the mark on gender

New research from ECU has revealed childrens' books are perpetuating outdated stereotypes of gender roles including boys playing sport, doing physical work and girls as passive onlookers.

Father and son are reading a book and smiling while spending time together at home
Reading for life

Arresting the rise in aliteracy

ECU literacy researcher Dr. Margaret Merga of ECU is creating strategies to prevent aliteracy—teens who can read but lack interest in reading for pleasure as adults.