Social Connectedness in a Changing World: Demographic and Life Course Aspects of Social Cohesion

James O'Donnell, Australian National University

In the midst of social and political conflict, social cohesion is a significant global challenge. Social cohesion has a long history in Sociology and Psychology, reflecting the material and psychological bonds and connectedness across society. Demographers also have much to contribute to debates, given the relationships between cohesion, international migration, ethnic diversity and immigrant integration, as well as the way in which individual life courses intersect with multi-scale structures and dynamics to shape who and how we interact with the world around us. In this presentation, James will draw on his public and academic research in Australia to explain and provoke discussion around this potential contribution. Australia provides a unique yet compelling case study, having transformed over the last 50 years to become one of the most migrant-rich countries in the world. James’ research on the Mapping Social Cohesion study demonstrates how symbolic support for migration and diversity in Australia is strong but undermined by discrimination and inequalities, while his academic research emphasises the importance of longitudinal processes at individual and community levels in shaping social cohesion. Underlying this research is the argument that demographic and social structures are not static, but rather continually re-produced through individual and societal change

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