The federal government in December announced a cash investment
of $27m towards the establishment of a Co-operative Research Centre
for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing, led by the Inspire
Foundation. This CRC will unite young people with
researchers, practitioners and innovators from 63 organisations
from across the not-for-profit, academic, government and corporate
sectors to conduct research which helps us better understand how
technologies can be used to ensure that all young Australians are
safe, happy and resilient.
The federal government's investment, combined with close to $7m
cash contributed by our 63 partners and over $80m of in-kind
support, will resource:
* the first consolidated Australian data on young people's
technology use, available through an online knowledge hub for
researchers, policy-makers and the community;
* an education and training program for over 350 leaders in youth,
technology, cybersafety, mental health and wellbeing;
* proven online services and tools used by young people and
professionals for cybersafety, mental health and wellbeing,
available through an Online Wellbeing Centre; and
* research that supports parents, the community and professionals
to respond to the cybersafety and mental health needs of young
people.
This CRC builds on the existing research collaborations undertaken
by Inspire with organisations like Orygen Youth Health Research
Centre, the Brain & Mind Research Institute and the University
of Western Sydney, while providing a platform to foster new
collaborations across sectors and settings. Its Executive
Director will be Associate Professor Jane Burns, Global Head of
Research at the Inspire Foundation, VicHealth Principal Research
Fellow at Orygen Youth Health Research Centre and Honorary Fellow
at the Brain & Mind Research Institute.
We're thrilled that the federal government has chosen to invest in
the CRC. This CRC reflects a collective effort never before seen in
the youth mental health sector and we would like to sincerely thank
the young people, researchers and practitioners who worked with us
over the past 12 months to develop this bid.
Get Involved
The CRC will commence operations in July 2011. In the meantime,
interested community sector organisations and academics can
register to be part of YAW-NET. This is a network of end-users who
will provide vital input and: (1) insight into the needs and
experiences of end-user groups including young people, parents and
carers, educators, youth and health organisations; and (2) access
to specialist resources e.g. social marketing and technical
expertise sites from which to engage with potential research
participants.
Members of YAW-NET will get exclusive benefits including: priority
access to new research, invitations to participate in education and
training programs and the opportunity to become a 'best practice'
site, where new initiatives are developed and trialed. YAW-NET
members will have first access to evidence-based programs and
services developed by the CRC which can be adapted and utilised in
their local communities.
What are CRCs?
Co-operative Research Centres (www.crc.gov.au) are a federal
government initiative administered by the Department of Innovation,
Industry, Science and Research. Since the inception of the CRC
Program, 185 CRCs have been funded. The Australian Government has
committed more than $3.3 billion in CRC Program funding and CRC
participants have committed a further $10.8 billion in cash and
in-kind contributions.