Young People and Democracy: What Matters?
Examining nearly 28,000 entries to the ‘What Matters’ competition that captures the thoughts and reflections of young people across Australia.
Our Vision
At a time where Australian democracy is under significant pressure, it is more important than ever to understand young people’s views on social and political issues – and consider what they mean for governance and public policy.
The annual What Matters competition run by the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University provides unique insight into what matters to young people; their interests and concerns regarding social, economic, cultural and political issues, and their visions of what society could do to address these problems. The program has accumulated more than 50,000 entries, comprising a rich archive of young people’s views across Australia from 2004 onwards.
Our Project Plan
We’ll conduct quantitative and qualitative textual analysis of archived entries to the ‘What Matters?’ competition between 2019 and 2023. In doing so, it will build on initial research on entries between 2009 and 2018 to build a rich longitudinal view of their concerns and explain: What issues have concerned young people in Australia in the last ten years? How do these reflect or relate to mainstream political debates and events? What can politicians and other decision-makers learn from young people’s views?
Project History
The What Matters competition has run annually since 2004, now reaching 20 years. Y&R Co-director Professor Philippa Collin began her involvement as a competition judge and later led a study retrospectively digitising and analysing the 27,500 entries made to the competition between 2009 and 2018. This project builds upon that previous research by creating a longitudinal dataset and by deepening our understanding of the thoughts, concerns and priorities of Young Australians over the past 20 years.
What Impact will this research have?
This project will generate valuable new knowledge on young people’s politics which will contribute to both democratic theory and practice. It will also extend a novel methodology for analysing and amplifying the ways young people are already expressing their views on ‘What Matters? – views that are so rarely heard and taken seriously in our democracy.
Outcomes
Research:
- Read about key findings from the first phase of this research
- Read the 2010-2018 report ‘What Matters to Young Australians: Exploring young people’s perspectives from 2010-2018' or access the companion paper ‘Young People and Democracy: A Review’
Media coverage:
- Radio Interview: Afternoons with James Valentine, 702 ABC Sydney. Monday 26 February 2024.
Collaboration team
Internal
External
Funding:
This study is funded by the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University which is also the host body of the competition.
Streams
Period
January 2024 – December 2024
Sustainable Development Goals
This project is aligned with SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG 17 Partnerships for the goals.
Read more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Contact:
If you would like to get in contact with the Young People and Democracy: What Matters? team, please email Prof Philippa Collin at P.Collin@westernsydney.edu.au.
