Research Areas
The APMRC has been successful in attracting a number of competitive research grants. In addition, the APMRC undertakes consultancy based projects.
For past research, please refer to past projects webpage for more information.
Current Research
Circular Migration in Asia, the Pacific and Australia: Empirical, Theoretical and Policy Dimensions (ARC Discovery Project DP1096662). CI Professor Graeme Hugo
International migration has seen two major shifts - from permanent settlement to transnationalism and from a preoccupation with brain drain to an approach in which migration can benefit development. In both discourses circular migration plays an important role. This research uses a number of unique data sets and field studies to conceptualise, measure and analyse circular migration in the Asia-Pacific-Australia migration system, provide a better empirical and theoretical understanding of the migration process and develop new approaches to migration policy in origins and destinations.
Impact of Climate Change on Disadvantaged Groups: Issues and Interventions (National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF))
This study investigates the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of disadvantaged groups to the adverse impacts of climate change and identifies interventions which can enhance resilience and counteract these effects in South Australia. Working with the S.A. Social Inclusion Unit this study will undertake detailed mixed method studies of three local government areas in S.A. which are expected to experience significant climate change impacts over the next half century and which represent differing environmental and human settings. Working with key stakeholders the project will generate a set of specific policy and program recommendations. More information is available from the Climate Change project page.
Climate Change and Migration in China: theoretical, empirical and policy dimensions (ARC Discovery Project DP110105522) - CI Yan Tan
This study analyses the complex relationship between climate change and migration by focussing in depth on two areas in China anticipated being major hotspots of Climate Change impact. It provides insight into national and international policy development in Climate Change mitigation and adaptations.
Rural Migrant Labour in Large Chinese Cities (ARC Discovery Project DP0773060 )
In recent decades there has been a surge of population movement from rural to urban areas in China. Without ‘replacement migrants' urban growth in China would not be sustainable. This project investigates the nature of this migration and its drivers. It examines the sectors of the urban economy, which are most dependent on migration in four large cities, and examines implications for policy on internal migration.
New Information and Communication Technologies and The Elderly: Practice, Problems and Potential (ARC Linkage Project LP0775632). CI Professor Graeme Hugo
Accessing services, isolation and loneliness are significant problems for older Australians and compromise their wellbeing. This study investigates the extent to which older people currently use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in their daily lives and identifies the barriers to greater take up of ICT, which could enhance their access to networks and services.
Australia's Baby Boomer Generation, Obesity and Work Patterns, Causes and Implications (ARC Linkage Project LP0990065)
Baby boomers have the highest level of obesity of any Australian age cohort and this threatens to increase chronic disease incidence thus potentially increasing health costs and reducing their capacity to maintain and/or extend their participation in the workforce. This project identifies and investigates factors influencing the eating and exercise patterns of baby boomers. The study aims to identify key intervention points and provide policy makers with evidence and guidance for targeted interventions. Some preliminary findings from the project can be accessed by clicking on the links below:
The Baby Boomer Bulge - Challenges and Opportunities
Australian Diasporas and Brain Gain: Exploring Current and Potential Transnational Linkages (ARC Linkage Project LP0883920)
The research investigates current and potential roles of diasporas in both Australia and overseas in facilitating trade and investment. The study examines their political, cultural and kinship ties with homelands and maps the geography of seven diasporas in Australia; providing new data that describes the character, motivations and movements of diasporas in Australia. Data analysis will determine the current and potential role diaspora play in adding value to Australian society through 'brain gain' and 'circulation' versus 'brain drain'.
Consultancy Based Projects
Pharmacy Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (PhARIA), Department of Health & Ageing (A080180)
The PhARIA project was undertaken by GISCA, the Department of Health and Ageing, and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. It was designed to provide a comprehensive, standardised measurement of the physical and professional remoteness of pharmacies throughout Australia, for use in the determination of rural and remote pharmacy allowances.
PhARIA is a composite index, which incorporates measurements of general remoteness, as represented by ARIA, with a professional isolation component represented by the road distance to the five (5) closest pharmacies. More information is available from the PhARIA information page.
General Practitioner Rural Retention Project (GPARIA) (A112675)
This project was designed to assist the Department for Health and Ageing in recognising and retaining long serving general practitioners (GPs) in rural and remote communities so that a reasonable level of access to medical care in Australia could be maintained. This resulted in the development of the General Practitioner Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (GPARIA).
The methodology that was used to develop the index was based on that used to develop ARIA (Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia). The common methodological link is the way each index measures the geographic remoteness of a location based on road distance to services. More information is available from the GPARIA information page.
Linking Rural Older People to Community through Technology, 2009 - 2012 (A090956)
This multi-phase project aimed to explore access and connection to the wider community for older Australians in rural and remote locations through the use of new communication technologies. This project included the collection of preliminary data through surveys with older people living in the community (n=860) and community aged care service providers (n=130), and in depth interviews with 201 older people. This was followed by two pilot projects, one with older community members over 12 months using lap top computers and Apple iPads in 2011 and the second with community aged care service providers using iPads to enable streamlined service provision in rural and remote areas in late 2011 and early 2012. Results from the study showed that given opportunity, training and support older people will use ICTs to increase frequency of contact with family and friend ties and make new social connections. There is a potential demand by this older cohort for simpler, age specific designs in new technologies and appropriate training; with the second pilot study suggesting that community aged care providers may be the ideal conduit for introduction and support with new forms of ICTs for older people. The project was successfully completed in August 2012. The final report is available for download.
Mobile Populations in Australia, National Seachange Taskforce Inc (A113022)
The project explores the problems that coastal LGAs throughout Australia have in estimating the size of mobile populations within their areas, and the future potential impact of baby boomers seeking a sea change.
Patterns of Intergenerational Transfers of Time and Money in Australia, Sept 2011 - June 2012
This research, funded by National Seniors Australia, is based primarily on a quantitative national CATI survey of over 600 Australians aged 50 years and over conducted in 2011, exploring the nature of transfers of time and money between family generations. It also includes qualitative data from in-depth follow-up interviews with a subset of survey participants conducted in 2012. This project examined the dimensions and range of contributions made by older people to younger generations, exploring: motivations for transfers; flows of time and money transfers and if they are substituted for each other; what transfers are used for; their timing and value; and implications for service provisions, welfare and the balance of public-private support. The final report is available for download.
Impact of the 30 Year Plan on the demography of Charles Sturt, City of Charles Sturt
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide was published in February 2010, as a long-term vision for the future, bringing together elements that need to be planned for so that Greater Adelaide can continue to be a good place in which to live.
Demographic Profile of the Copper Coast, District Council of the Copper Coast (A112914)
This project develops a demographic profile of the Copper Coast LGA through a survey of residents and holiday home owners.
Demographic Analysis of Charles Sturt City of Charles Sturt, (A112800)
Using an analysis of 2010 population projections for the period 2006-2026 in the Council area and the four SLAs within its boundaries and placing this profile within the context of the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
People on the Move in a Changing Climate: Comparing the impact of environmental change on migration in different regions of the world, The International Organization for Migration (A113036)
To investigate the issues of migration and environmental change in Asia.
Population Distribution Effects of Migration in Australian DIAC
Analysis of internal migration patterns of Australian-born and overseas born Australians during the 2001-06 period and the impacts on Australian demography, labour, housing and infrastructure. For further information, view the full report.
