About ISP

Ageing, sensory impairment, intellectual or functional disability indeed any deviation from the ‘norm’ can result in individuals being excluded from their human right to social participation. La Trobe University has recognised research strengths in ageing, hearing and sight impairment; intellectual disability and human rights and this Institute will support cooperation and consolidation of effort and output. ISP will enable interdisciplinary research and make a significant contribution to knowledge, policy and practice in maximising social participation for individuals and groups who are at risk of social exclusion. It will also further enable national and international collaborations/affiliations in the area of social participation.

Centres initially affiliated with the Institute of Social Participation are: the John Richards Initiative, the Lincoln Centre for Research on Ageing, La Trobe Life Skills, The Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care and The Unit for Studies in Biography and Autobiography.

ISP aims to:

  • Facilitate and enable outstanding research on social participation which provides new knowledge on social participation and influences policy and practice.
  • Develop and conduct research on social participation.
  • Significantly expand the opportunities for research in social participation for its members.
  • Promote and disseminate widely the research activities of members of staff of the University in social participation.
  • Promote the training of postgraduates in social participation research.
  • Provide the outputs of research and development for governments, industry and communities.

Staff wishing to become members should check the rules as outlined in the Constitution and contact the Director, ISP welcomes interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Directors Welcome

The power of interdisciplinary research will be realised by the ISP and the outcomes will enable socially inclusive policy and practice; the voices of people who have experienced social exclusion will be vital to the success of our work.

Committees

Executive and Advisory Committee membership for the Institute for Social Participation.