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In this edition, learn about the SESU's new research themes, our call for community research proposals and our tips for preparing your application before the March 14 deadline! We share the findings from a recently completed project that explores the value of Catholic organisations working together to deliver the Asylum Seeker Support Program (ASSP) in Victoria. We also share information about the 2025 ACU and DePaul Conference on Community Engagement and Service-Learning, and more.
The SESU supports organisations to expand their research capacity by undertaking partner-initiated research projects. We want to hear from organisations about the research they want to do, especially where it will support people experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation.
We are now accepting applications for community-initiated research projects. If successful, you will work closely with ACU academics on the research to co-design and deliver practical resources for your organisation.
Applications close on Friday 14 March at 6pm AEDT. All organisations with a majority of their trade dedicated to the social good, whether faith-based or secular, can submit an application.
Hear from one of our partners, Ms Shana Challenor, CEO of Suicide Prevention Pathways, about her experience of working with the SESU to evaluate the Talk Suicide Support program:
Organisation-specific projects
Submit a proposal for a research project that focuses on an issue specific to your organisation's programs or services.
Learn more
Sector projects
Submit a multi-organisation proposal for a project to address a large or systemic issue which affects several organisations in the community sector.
Learn more
Organisations are encouraged to submit an EOI aligned to one of SESU’s research themes, for either project stream. Organisations may submit an EOI unrelated to the themes, but please note that there may not be the opportunity to activate projects that are not aligned to the SESU’s research themes in every application round.
Learn more
Visit our website to view the application guidelines and the questions that will be asked in each application form.
In 2025, the SESU has introduced research themes to guide the scope and focus of its work. These themes are embedded in ACU's mission and aligned with ACU's strategic plan, Vision 2033, to create impact for ethical futures, thriving communities and flourishing lives.
We are inviting organisations to submit an EOI aligned to one of our research themes:
Theme 1: Addressing issues of social justice in a changing world
Theme 2: Improving the wellbeing of communities
Theme 3: Exploring Catholic identity and organisational practice
Organisations may submit an EOI unrelated to the themes, but please note that in every application round there may not be the opportunity to activate projects that fall outside the themes.
You will be asked in the application form to briefly explain how your project links to the selected research theme, and you may also note another one of the themes you suggest your project aligns with.
Learn more about the research themes >
Our application guidelines provide further information on the application process, including eligibility, what will be required of your organisation if partnering with the SESU, and what information you will be asked to provide in your application. They also provide more information about the SESU to help you determine whether your project is a good fit for the SESU.
The application guidelines are available to download here or from our website. You can also download an overview of each project stream’s application form on our website, to help you prepare your application.
When considering the intended objectives and outcomes of your project, think about who will benefit from the research, and in what ways. Those benefiting might be participants of one of your programs or services, your staff, broader community groups, or other.
This information should be recorded in the objectives and outcomes sections of your application. You will also be asked in the application form how many people you expect will benefit from the research. Even though our researchers will work closely with you to design the project in more detail, if you’re successful, clarifying the intended aim, outcomes and beneficiaries of the research is helpful to the SESU’s Advisory Group in assessing applications.
If you wish to discuss your ideas in more detail, don’t hesitate to contact us at: sesu@acu.edu.au.
You can find more helpful tips in this video:
Once applications from organisations are shortlisted by the Advisory Group, we will open a call for EOIs to ACU staff.
If you think your expertise, skills and experiences would make you a good fit for the upcoming projects, we would love to hear from you!
This will happen in April, so keep an eye out.
Academic workload allocations will be negotiated with Heads of School to align with the new workload model.
ACU’s research team conducted a developmental evaluation of the Asylum Seeker Support Program (ASSP), a pastoral care support program for individuals seeking asylum in Melbourne, Victoria. Administered and coordinated by CCV, in partnership with SJGHC, the program is an example of two Catholic organisations partnering to achieve mission-related social good.
With reduced government funding and restricted work rights, many asylum seekers in Australia experience financial instability and social isolation, making it difficult for them to achieve economic independence, social inclusion, and leading to their increased reliance on charity and community support.
Given these challenges, the ASSP has delivered a vital suite of activities to asylum seekers since 2017, including everyday assistance, financial aid, pastoral care support, and practical social connection, enabling them to settle and eventually flourish.
This research project demonstrated the flexible nature of research, when conceptual and empirical constraints were identified in the project’s original research objectives. The collaborative nature of SESU projects enabled the project team, including ACU researchers, CCV and SJGHC, to redirect the research scope from an impact evaluation to a developmental evaluation. As a developmental evaluation, the project’s main aims were to assist the two organisations to progress through a series of steps to prepare the program for an impact evaluation in the future.
This collaboration resulted in renewed understanding between CCV and SJGHC of the potential social impact of the program. Further, how Catholic organisations can work together in the pursuit of social care of those experiencing vulnerability and marginalisation, which is fundamental to the mission of both organisations.
The evaluation identified that the strength of the program is in its provision of wide-ranging support that asylum seekers struggle to find anywhere else through a pastoral care model that is inclusive, client centred, flexible, and tailored to each client’s needs based on their unique settlement journey.
The evaluation made recommendations for CCV and SJGHC to consider, establishing the measurements and reporting protocols designed by the project team, which best capture, demonstrate and communicate the effects and impacts of the program, for future planning.
Tues 1 – Wed 2 July 2025
Australian Catholic University, North Sydney campus
In the fourth ACU and DePaul Conference on Community Engagement and Service-Learning: Preparing Educated Citizens during Uncertain Times we focus on community engagement and service-learning as activities that can engage our students for a lifetime of actions that will strengthen our democracies and serve the common good.
During the conference, we will consider how community engagement and service-learning can be enacted in a way that is politically engaged and impactful with university, community, and governments. This focus is undertaken with the recognition of uncertain times characterised by political polarisation and rising tensions within our national contexts.
Stay updated about the conference by visiting our website.
If you have any questions, or want to know more please feel free to get in touch at acuengagement@acu.edu.au.
Could ACU provide support to your organisation in areas other than research?
Do you have volunteer opportunities or programs that ACU students or staff could participate in? Or do you have clients who may not have had or completed a formal education and would like to?
ACU Engagement supports partnerships with community for positive social outcomes. Read on to engage with some of ACU’s flagship community engagement programs.
ACU is committed to providing our staff the opportunity to contribute to their local communities, especially in ways that benefit people experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation. We provide staff the option to dedicate five of their workdays in support of non-profit and community service organisations.
To discuss the support you need, please contact the ACU Engagement team.
ACU Engagement’s Community-Engaged Learning welcomes the following new partners in Semester 1, who will be hosting student course-based community engagement experiences:
Brisbane
Melbourne
Sydney
For more information about ACU’s community-engaged learning program, have a look at our new video on our website.
The Clemente Australia program provides opportunities for people within our communities to engage in university-level liberal arts education to empower their lives and transform their communities. In semester one, we are delighted to have eight programs in both on campus and community settings in QLD, NSW, ACT and Victoria.
Join us as a volunteer: A key to the success of the Clemente program is the involvement of our volunteer learning partners who help students to achieve their learning goals. Both the students and the volunteers learn from their experiences and interactions with one another. Clemente learning partners come from a variety of backgrounds—education, community and business. Learning partners bring with them diverse, rich life and career experiences and skills. Become a learning partner.
Join us in partnership to support and facilitate our programs: Critical to the Clemente Australia program are our long term, sustainable and reciprocal partnerships with community organisations. Together, we work to build program reach and meet student needs. ACU invites community, government and business organisations as our partners through contributions of time, talent, influence, and/or resources. Partner with Clemente.
Clemente Australia acknowledges with thanks, its current partners- CatholicCare Victoria, The City of Ballarat, The Ballarat Foundation, Federation University, St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra and Goulburn, St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, Sisters of Mercy, Micah Projects, City of Yarra and Mission Australia, Surry Hills Sydney and Parklea Correctional Centre, Blacktown.
Join us as a student: Clemente Australia encourages people aged 18-80 to restart their education through the program. We welcome students from all backgrounds and communities who have experienced barriers/challenges in their lives that have interrupted their education or prevented them from achieving their learning goals. If you would like to refer a student or to discuss student recruitment please contact the Clemente team who will connect you with a program near you.
“Before starting Clemente, I had lost faith in myself and my abilities. This course helped me gain self-confidence again. The critical thinking skills I learn really helped me to deal with some of my anxiety issues in life.”
(Clemente student)
If you are interested in learning more about the Clemente Program at ACU either as a Partner, a Volunteer, a Learning Partner or as a student, please contact the Clemente team.
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