Introduction The relationship between society and the environment has become one of the most urgent sociological concerns of the twenty-first century. In Australia, climate change is not merely a scientific or environmental issue; it is deeply embedded in social structures, economic systems, political debates, and cultural values. From catastrophic bushfires and prolonged droughts to coral … Read more
Introduction In the 21st century, media and technology have become central forces shaping social life across the globe. Australia, as a highly developed and digitally connected society, offers a rich context for understanding how media technologies influence culture, identity, power, inequality, and everyday social interactions. From traditional print and broadcast media to social networking platforms, … Read more
Introduction on Crime and Social Control Crime and social control are central concerns of sociology because they reveal how societies define acceptable behavior, enforce norms, and manage deviance. In modern Australia, crime is not only a legal issue but also a deeply social phenomenon shaped by inequality, power relations, cultural diversity, globalization, and technological change. … Read more
Introduction Gender and work have remained central concerns in sociological studies across the world, and Australia provides a particularly rich context for examining these dynamics. Despite being a high-income, democratic society with strong legal frameworks for equality, Australia continues to experience persistent gender-based inequalities in employment, wages, occupational status, and work–life balance. From feminist sociology … Read more
Introduction Race, ethnicity, and identity are central themes in the sociological understanding of Australian society. Australia is often celebrated as one of the world’s most successful multicultural nations, home to people from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. Yet beneath this image lies a complex history shaped by colonialism, racial exclusion, Indigenous dispossession, migration … Read more
Urban sociology examines how social life is shaped by city spaces, institutions, economies, and cultural patterns. In Australia, rapid urbanisation has produced a unique urban landscape where colonial history, Indigenous presence, global migration, neoliberal economic policies, and environmental challenges intersect. More than 85% of Australians live in cities, making urban sociology central to understanding Australian … Read more
Introduction Education is widely regarded as a key instrument for social mobility, economic development, and democratic participation. In modern societies, schooling is expected to provide equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of their social background. However, sociological research consistently shows that education systems often reproduce existing social inequalities rather than eliminate them. In Australia, despite … Read more
Australia’s LGBTQ rights movement today sits at an uneasy but consequential crossroads. Over the past decade the country has moved from a bitter national debate about same-sex marriage to a period of substantial legal advances — while also confronting new flashpoints around religious exemptions, trans youth health, and the policing of hate and speech. This … Read more
Introduction Social stratification and inequality are central concerns of sociology, as they shape life chances, access to resources, and patterns of power across societies. In the vast and diverse region of Oceania, these issues take on distinctive forms influenced by colonial histories, indigenous cultures, global capitalism, migration, and environmental vulnerability. Oceania is not a homogeneous … Read more
Introduction Political sociology examines the relationship between society and political institutions, focusing on how power, authority, and governance are shaped by social structures. In the Australian context, political sociology offers valuable insights into how democracy functions within a multicultural, settler-colonial society shaped by class divisions, Indigenous struggles, global capitalism, and evolving state policies. Australia is … Read more