Who are we?

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INSIGHT was established by Australian researchers in social, clinical and organisational psychology, sociology, political science, and law to take a true multidisciplinary approach to understanding the vital role of social groups in Australia’s national security. Our mission is to examine the ways in which people’s attitudes, behaviours, and health are shaped by their social relationships and social connectedness. We tackle critical and emerging social-psychological issues as identified by our funding partners and stakeholders.

The common thread across INSIGHT research is the social identity approach. Social identities are those groups to which we subjectively belong, and consider to be an important part of who we are. Social identities are fundamental to a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to national security. This is because people, and their actions and interactions, cannot be separated from their social context.

Social identities and group processes are key determinants of many national security challenges (e.g., social cohesion, misinformation and disinformation, radicalisation and violent extremism, social influence, coercion, interference) and national security opportunities (e.g., leadership, collective action, trust, democracy, national resilience and preparedness, and health).

What can we offer?

We investigate the factors that drive peoples’ engagement in behaviours that can secure or weaken Australian national security, as well as behaviours that can facilitate personal and community health.

INSIGHT researchers use a diverse array of mixed-methods research designs including lab and field-based experiments, intensive longitudinal studies, qualitative investigations with relevant and at-risk communities, surveys, and randomised controlled trials. Through this varied and flexible approach, we contribute to efforts to find solutions to security issues of domestic and global significance.

We also focus on designing, implementing, and testing theory-driven interventions to support national security imperatives. In doing so, we maintain the highest standards of ethical inquiry in line with community expectations and needs.

INSIGHT members have worked in partnership with 20 different community organisations, and over 150 researchers across 14 countries. We have strong links with the University of Queensland, the University of Melbourne, Adelaide University, Flinders University, Charles Sturt University, University of Otago, University of Exeter, Bournemouth University, University of Edinburgh, and St Andrews University.