Our Research
Have you participated in a civic engagement program?
We’re looking to connect with young people who've done civic engagement programs to examine the post-program phase - we’re particularly interested in that post-program phase and what happens next, what support looked like, and if they didn't stay engaged in a civics space, what might have helped them to continue their involvement.
If you participated in a civic engagement program and were 34 or under at time, we want to hear from you.
Alternative paths to politics: How young people engage in politics in Australia(2024 - led by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership)
Harnessing the power of young people in decision-making is essential for inclusive governance, yet a significant disconnect remains between youth and policymakers, particularly for young women and minoritised groups.
In 2023, the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) hosted its Youth Summit, gathering a diverse group of highly engaged young "changemakers." The resulting findings reveal that while these advocates care passionately about key issues and actively pursue alternative avenues for activism, such as social media and volunteering, they suffer from a profound lack of trust in political institutions and do not feel listened to. Ultimately, systemic barriers such as resource scarcity, unsafe political workplaces, and a feeling of not fitting in prevent them from seeing politics as a career, highlighting an urgent need for strategies that create safer, more sustainable pathways into formal governance.
Young People in Public Leadership (2024)
Our national survey of 1,006 young Australians aged 16–29 reveals a generation that cares deeply about social change but feels disconnected from the formal political and policy systems meant to represent them.
The research found that while young people broadly understand the impact of government decisions, most don't see themselves reflected in politics, don't feel they understand how the system works, and show low interest in public service careers. Girls, women, and gender-diverse people are particularly underrepresented in political ambition and confidence — yet remain highly engaged through activism and community leadership.
The report calls on political parties, public service bodies, and media organisations to take concrete action: from youth engagement strategies and affirmative action measures, to safer political spaces and more diverse representation in media coverage.
Where are the young women? (2022)
Our survey of over 500 young women and gender-diverse Australians, conducted in partnership with The Body Shop, found that while this cohort is highly engaged with politics and current affairs, they are being actively pushed away from formal participation.
Despite 94% believing government should reflect Australia's diversity, only 13% felt represented in politics. Negative and sexist media coverage of female political figures was overwhelmingly cited as a deterrent with 44% saying recent political events made them less likely to pursue a career in politics.
The report calls for funded implementation of the Jenkins Review, youth engagement strategies within political parties, affirmative action for under-represented groups, and binding media reporting standards.
