University at the forefront of election campaign
The University of Tasmania’s expertise in political analysis was highlighted in the lead up to and the continuing fallout from the Federal election.
Since January the University’s Institute for the Study of Social Change (ISC) researchers have featured in local and national media with 83 items, informing an audience of almost two million people.
Established in 2014, the ISC brings together over 180 researchers across the University, with an interest in studying social change in all its dimensions.
Proving its worth as a source of social and political commentary and analysis, particularly over the eight weeks of the Federal election campaign, the ISC coordinated regular media commentary from experts across the University.
This analysis examined a number of issues ranging from recent political branding research findings and the likely outcome of the Federal election in Tasmania, to the effect of Federal funding decisions on the States and the political consequences of new minor parties in the new federal parliament.
Post-election coverage was also provided by ISC Director Professor Eccleston, who looked closely at the Labor swing in Tasmania and its link to community concerns about health funding and Medicare.
Professor Eccleston said community concerns, along with the uncertainty surrounding the election result, meant the University’s experts were in high demand, and provided a chance to highlight some of the ISC’s research.
“The fact that the election outcome has been inconclusive combined with the strong swing to Labor in Tasmania meant that University experts have been in demand with the local and national press,” he said.
“Mounting community concerns about health funding, has provided an opportunity for us to highlight Institute research on funding reform in the federation.”
ISC Communications and Engagement Manager, Dr Louise Grimmer, said the Institute had a strong community reputation for its expertise, which had enabled it to be at the forefront of recent political events.
“The Institute for the Study of Social Change has built an incredibly strong community profile which allowed us to coordinate this effort,” she said.
This article originally appeared in the University of Tasmania online Staff News