Data-Driven Decisions: Translating Research into Impact

How does research become action?
Join leading voices from the community, health, and justice sectors as we unpack how social science is driving real-world change — from influencing policy to reshaping practice.

Facilitated by Hang Vo (CEO, Sacred Heart Mission & President, ACOSS), this powerhouse panel includes:

• Andrew Bruun, Chief Executive Officer at YSAS

• Belinda Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Applied Sociology and Human Services, RMIT University

• Gemma Hamilton, ARC DECRA Fellow, and Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Justice Studies, RMIT University

• Carolyn Wallace, Manager of Research and Impact at VicHealth

• Marius Smith, CEO at Vacro 

You’ll hear compelling case studies, bold collaborations, and fresh thinking across key themes:

• 🤝 Strategic Collaboration: Scaling research through cross-sector partnerships

• 🚀 Driving Impact: Real-world benefits for people and communities

• 🔧 Insight to Implementation: What it takes to turn evidence into action

• ⚖️ Equity in Action: Aligning research with justice and community priorities

Panel topics include:

• Using clinical data to inform frontline services

• Elevating lived experience in systems change

• Supporting victim-survivors through research-led interview reform

• Backing advocacy with data

• Shifting health and social systems through evidence

Whether you're a policymaker, practitioner, researcher or community advocate — this event is for anyone passionate about putting research to work for social good.

The event will run from 2–4 PM, followed by a networking reception.

🎟️ Free event | Registrations are essential.

This event is a part of Social Sciences Week 2025,
Hosted by the Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University.

RMIT University is a proud sponsor of the Social Sciences Week.