Superdiversity “describes places characterised by communities that are diverse in multiple ways, including religious, cultural, economic, age or gender diversity, among others”.* And it’s the new normal in Australia.

Superdiversity Research Australia (SRA) is a collaboration between researchers from ANU, RMIT University and policy advisors from SGS Economics and Planning. We aim to turbocharge leading research by bringing together distinct and complementary efforts in urban-related studies and urban policymaking. SRA’s work can support nuanced insights into Australia’s unique superdiversity and its relationship with critical issues, including climate change vulnerability and adaptation, population health outcomes, infrastructure planning and delivery, and economic productivity.

Each of Superdiversity Research Australia’s founding members brings unique expertise to the initiative. RMIT researchers Professor Joe Hurley and Dr Chayn Sun, along with their colleagues, offer sustainability and urban planning nous. Their work includes the nation’s first heat vulnerability index and a mapping of Australia’s multicultural neighbourhood landscapes using longitudinal Census data between 2001 and 2021.

ANU Professor Alan Gamlen, Founding Director of the ANU Migration Hub, and colleagues have developed advanced visualisation tools and insights into the multiple dimensions of superdiversity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere. Professor Gamlen’s research helps us to understand the population movements and interactions that define places.

I2S ANU’s Dr. Hayley Henderson and ANU College of Asia and Pacific Dean Professor Helen Sullivan partnered with public policy advisors SGS Economics and Planning to measure the reach of superdiversity across Australian regions and cities focusing on cultural, linguistic and religious diversity considered with gentrification risk and wellbeing. Their award-winning research offers a national portrait of superdiversity stability and expansion between 2011 and 2021. It was inspired by Dr Henderson and Professor Sullivan's earlier research on the experience of urban revitalisation and collaboration in the superdiverse community of Dandenong (check out their 2019 research briefing for details).

Superdiversity Research Australia is coalescing these research efforts to improve our understanding of superdiversity’s characteristics, benefits, and challenges. These insights can inform evidence-based public policy by highlighting strengths and gaps in governance and planning, including for services, major projects, infrastructure and revitalisation for Australia’s superdiverse communities. SRA ultimately wants to contribute to more resilient, prosperous and inclusive communities across the nation.

Please contact us if you would like more information about our work or are interested to engage in research on superdiversity in Australia.