University of the Sunshine Coast

The University of the Sunshine Coast was awarded $200,000 in grant funding as part of the Queensland Government Youth Research Grants to help stimulate interest in research that reflects the needs and views of young Queenslanders.

Forty young people delivered 12 research projects aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals across the following topics:

  • climate action and the environment
  • future foods
  • sustainable communities
  • wellbeing and health.

Visit the University of Sunshine Coast’s YES Youth Research Project website to watch a summary video and for more information about this research.

    Climate action and the environment

    Youth engagement in citizen science

    This study aims to investigate the integration of 18–25-year-olds in citizen science research, focusing on the use of technology to increase their participation and diversity. While previous research has focused on data quality and contributors' abilities, this project seeks to enhance engagement and inclusivity in citizen science activities.

    For more information, contact Dr Vikki Schaffer by emailing vschaffe@usc.edu.au.

    Getting consumers to say YES! to sustainability through message framing

    This research investigated using message framing to promote sustainable consumer behaviour regarding electric vehicles and sustainable sportswear. The study aimed to address limitations identified in previous research, including limited consideration of sustainable behaviours and products, and a variety of message frames for effective behaviour change.

    For more information, contact Dr Rory Mulcahy by emailing rmulcahy@usc.edu.au.

    Empowering Sunshine Coast youth to take climate action through social media and seaweed restoration

    This study aimed to empower youth on the Sunshine Coast to take climate action through social media and seaweed restoration, involving one youth researcher and 217 youth participants. Seaweed forests are disappearing due to coastal development, impacting biodiversity, carbon drawdown, and marine ecosystems. Many young people experience eco-anxiety from this loss, motivating them to take action. The study tested a 2-week social media campaign to recruit youth as citizen scientists for seaweed restoration and explored the unique contributions made by young volunteers.

    For more information, contact Dr Alexandra Campbell by emailing acampbe1@usc.edu.au.

    Future foods

    Beyond sushi: mainstreaming seaweed in the young Australian diet

    While seaweed has been shown to offer a range of nutritional benefits and sustainability advantages over traditional crops, it is still not commonly consumed in Western societies. The study surveyed more than 3,000 Australian consumers aged 20-30 years old, who are identified as the most likely group to eat seaweed, to gain insights on their preferences and motivators for consuming seaweed.

    For more information, contact Dr Libby Swanepoel by emailing lswanepo@usc.edu.au.

    Wellbeing and health

    Misinformation fans: the role of fannish behaviours in the spread of the anti-vaxxer discourse on Instagram and TikTok

    The study investigated the influence of fannish behaviours on anti-vaxxer misinformation within health communities on Instagram and TikTok. Findings suggest that addressing the underlying motivations of engaging with this discourse is crucial in combating misinformation, rather than solely relying on education.

    For more information, contact Dr Renee Barnes by emailing renee.barnes@usc.edu.au.

    Cultivating occupational therapy students' research competencies through innovation developmental interventions

    This project aimed to develop occupational therapy students' research competencies through innovation developmental interventions. Three Honours students under 25 communicated their research project findings to a wider audience beyond the university, while also stimulating research interests and cultivating a research culture among OT final year students. The projects focused on picky eating, assistance dogs, and electronic measurement of function.

    For more information, contact Dr Michele Verdonck by emailing michele.verdonck@usc.edu.au.

    Supporting psychology students research career aspirations

    This psychology research project aimed to involve youth in research priorities aligned with the SDG of good health and wellbeing. Six youth researchers were supported to undertake their own projects, which covered topics such as traffic safety culture, stress-induced eating, and information manipulation in darknet marketplaces. The project also aimed to encourage Honours students to communicate their research project findings to a wider audience beyond the university, such as end-users.

    For more information, contact Dr Prudence Millear by emailing pmillear@usc.edu.au.

    Sustainable communities

    Evaluating youth engagement in social entrepreneurship and research team experiences

    This project aimed to develop youth engagement in social entrepreneurship and research capacity by involving them in setting research priorities aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It has three aims:

    1. investigate the progress of new social enterprise ventures
    2. evaluate the career aspirations of youth involved in the YES Research program
    3. disseminate the program's findings and impact across all 12 projects.

    For more information, contact A/Prof MJ de Villiers Scheepers (Project Lead) by emailing mscheepe@usc.edu.au or Mrs Amanda Fiedler (Project Manager) by emailing afiedler@usc.edu.au.

    Evaluating news coverage of regional media

    This study examined the effects of the decline of Australian regional newspapers on local news audiences and democratic participation. Through a case study research design, it identified critical information needs and the types of news distributed to local news audiences. The study explored the impact of news coverage due to the loss of legacy media institutions on local news audiences' critical information needs.

    For more information, contact Dr Renee Barnes by emailing renee.barnes@usc.edu.au.

    Youth, tourism and the 2032 Olympics

    This project investigated youth participation, barriers and opportunities in the planning, execution, and legacy development of the 2032 Olympics. It explores the potential legacies for host regions and evaluate the involvement of young people in the identification of opportunities. The study involved 16 youth participants and 300 survey respondents.

    For more information, contact Dr Vikki Schaffer by emailing vschaffe@usc.edu.au.

    Investigating authors’ knowledge of marketing

    Novels generate $USD110.1 billion per year worldwide; in Australia, crime fiction alone equals $AUD74 million in sales. However, research examining novels and creative writing from a business/marketing perspective is limited. This project addressed this gap by exploring author's understanding of modern marketing dynamics and the impact of their understanding on a work's success, aiming to improve economic sustainability.

    For more information, contact Dr Jacqueline Burgess by emailing jburgess@usc.edu.au.

    Regional reputation and economic development: what matters for youth?

    This project aimed to understand what makes a region an attractive place to live and work for youth aged between 18 and 25 years. Despite representing a significant proportion of the population and the future of the region, their views are often neglected in economic development policies.

    For more information, contact Dr Noel Tracey by emailing ntracey@usc.edu.au.