S1 E3 | What does social cohesion look like? with Professor Kate Reynolds & Fred Alale

What does it look like when people trust others, feel like they belong, and participate in their community? Are these the only ways to understand social cohesion?

Joining us in the third episode of the Voices of Australia Podcast, Professor Kate Reynolds and Fred Alale help us reflect on what we mean when we strive for a cohesive society. In this episode we discuss:

•  How a quick google search helped convince Fred Alale to move to Australia.
• Social cohesion as an outcome of great intergroup relations.
• Why it’s sometimes easier to understand social cohesion by examining workplaces and sports teams.
• The role individual identity and experiences play on social cohesion.
• The new phase of Australia’s ‘integration’ journey post-covid.

Voices of Australia is a Scanlon Foundation Research Institute podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Guest Bios

Professor Kate Reynolds

Kate Reynolds is a Professor of Psychology at the Australian National University (ANU). Her research addresses group processes and intergroup relations and it is informed by a social identity perspective. She is interested in broad research questions about the impact of groups and group norms on individuals’ attitudes, well-being and behaviour. Kate has published over 100 journal articles, book chapters and co-edited book volumes and her research has appeared in highly regarded scientific journals and has received attention from the media. She is currently involved in a large scale inter-disciplinary study on social cohesion, diversity and integration, which looks to better understand social cohesion and how to strengthen it by working closely with public policy, social and business enterprises, local government and community organisations Fred Alale Director, Policy, High Risk Industries Operations at Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria Fred Alale is a public service senior professional with over 20 years policy, project management and system-wide improvement experience across the public and private sectors (including Big 4 Management Consulting – EY, KPMG & Deloitte) in Australia and the UK. He is currently working as part of Victorian government efforts to keep Victorian businesses compliant with the Public Health Officer Directions as a Director, Policy and Enforcement Review Office. Fred is also active within the African Australian communities where he serves on a number of Boards including, Chair of the African Music and Cultural Festival and the Treasurer of Africa Day Australia Incorporated.   He is also a member of the Government’s Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP) implementation committee.