About the Centre for Just Places
The Centre for Just Places was established by Jesuit Social Services, with significant seed funding from Gandel Foundation and the Victorian Government, to support and enable place-based approaches to social and ecological justice through research, collaboration, engagement and knowledge exchange.
Our work
Understanding equity, disadvantage and wellbeing
We’re leading action and advocacy on Jesuit Social Services’ Dropping off the Edge research findings, which build an unparalleled picture of persistent and multilayered disadvantage across Australia. The Centre will also lead future iterations of this research, building in a stronger emphasis on strength-based indicators.
Supporting place-based and strengths-based approaches
We’re building an evidence base of effective place-based approaches through research and practice in Victoria and Australia, supporting place-based initiatives across Australia, and building on Jesuit Social Services’ long-term place-based work in Western Sydney and Northern Territory.
Amplifying lived experience
We’re leading a pilot initiative to increase the participation of community members with lived experience of government social, health, and justice systems to improve service design, integration and delivery in place.
Enabling climate justice
We’re partnering with community service organisations, communities, and governments to build local climate resilience and adaptation capacity.
Participants at a climate action forum
Our objectives
The Centre engages in research, action and advocacy on place-based inequities and injustice. We focus on addressing the root causes of social, economic and environmental inequity and injustice. Promoting a social and ecological lens in place-based research and action, we collaborate with communities and cross sectoral stakeholders to support and enable effective place-based approaches.
Our work rests on three pillars: research, action and advocacy.
- Undertake action research with a wide range of communities
- Develop case studies on effective and innovative place-based policy and practice
- Initiate collaborations to address and bridge knowledge gaps
- Create an accessible hub of resources and knowledge to support community capacity building
- Support communities to design and implement place-based approaches
- Lead and support local cross-sector collaboration
- Promote First Nations self-determination principles
- Promote an ecological justice lens
- Advocate for national, state, and local policies and processes that promote social and ecological justice
- Amplify stories from community and lived experience
Why Jesuit Social Services?
Jesuit Social Services has a deep understanding of place-based inequities through practice and research over many decades in Victoria, Australia. We bring a social and ecological justice lens to our work, in the knowledge that people already experiencing disadvantage are both the least responsible, and often the most impacted by environmental risk and inequalities.
Jesuit Social Services’ latest 2021 iteration of Dropping off the Edge research into place-based disadvantage across Australia included environmental indicators such as air quality and vulnerability to extreme heat, alongside social and economic indicators.
Findings from the research show that environmental factors contribute to, and compound disadvantage in many communities. The Centre will lead future iterations of this research, building in a stronger emphasis on strength-based indicators.
Advocacy, news and resources
The Centre for Just Places engages in advocacy to address place-based inequities and injustice in Australia. We bring a social and ecological lens, inviting discussion on what action can be taken by governments, individuals, organisations and the community services sector within Australia to build a socially and ecologically just society.
Research publications
The Centre for Just Places undertakes research on place-based disadvantage and innovative place-based policy and practice.
Our team
Our team works with community members, community and health sector organisations, practitioners, policymakers, universities and researchers, philanthropy, and government at all levels, to enable and support place-based approaches to social and ecological justice.
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Director
Dr John Ryks
John has a PhD in Geography and a Masters in Geography and Environmental Planning. He has worked for over 20 years across academia, government, and community organisations, including leading policy and research teams within the New Zealand government as well as leading Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis at the University of Waikato.
John has a PhD in Geography and a Masters in Geography and Environmental Planning. He has worked for over 20 years across academia, government, and community organisations, including leading policy and research teams within the New Zealand government as well as leading Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis at the University of Waikato.
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Strategic Advisor
Dr Susie Moloney
Before joining Jesuit Social Services, Susie was Associate Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning in the School of Global Urban and Social Studies and the Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University. She brings over twenty years of experience working across a wide range of research and policy projects focusing on social change and local empowerment processes, environmental and climate justice issues.
Before joining Jesuit Social Services, Susie was Associate Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning in the School of Global Urban and Social Studies and the Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University. She brings over twenty years of experience working across a wide range of research and policy projects focusing on social change and local empowerment processes, environmental and climate justice issues.
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General Manager, Practice
Sue Grigg
Sue Grigg has over 25 years' experience in the social justice arena. She has worked in consulting, in research and for government, but the bulk of her career has been in the not-for-profit sector leading and managing programs with a particular focus on people with the most complex needs. Sue is overseeing Jesuit Social Services’ work in the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
Sue Grigg has over 25 years' experience in the social justice arena. She has worked in consulting, in research and for government, but the bulk of her career has been in the not-for-profit sector leading and managing programs with a particular focus on people with the most complex needs. Sue is overseeing Jesuit Social Services’ work in the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
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Manager, Research and Partnerships
Dr Haydie Gooder
With a PhD in Geography, Haydie has worked for many years in interdisciplinary teams across university and community settings on research projects addressing social and environmental inequities and our complex relationships with place and belonging. She has run a professional editing business since 2009, engaging with a range of contemporary research across the social sciences and arts.
With a PhD in Geography, Haydie has worked for many years in interdisciplinary teams across university and community settings on research projects addressing social and environmental inequities and our complex relationships with place and belonging. She has run a professional editing business since 2009, engaging with a range of contemporary research across the social sciences and arts.
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Manager, Engagement and Innovation
Kate Lowsby
Kate is a health promotion practitioner with over 7 years’ experience working across a range of organisations within women’s health, primary care partnerships, community services, and state government agencies. She has led and coordinated a number of local and state-wide projects and programs, supported by her interest and expertise in partnerships and place-based approaches. Kate is also a dedicated committee member of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) Vic/Tas branch, and has a keen interest in contributing to AHPA’s climate and health agenda. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) and Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours – Health Promotion). Joining the Centre in 2023, she is looking forward to supporting and growing the Centres’ work at the intersection of climate justice and health equity.
Kate is a health promotion practitioner with over 7 years’ experience working across a range of organisations within women’s health, primary care partnerships, community services, and state government agencies. She has led and coordinated a number of local and state-wide projects and programs, supported by her interest and expertise in partnerships and place-based approaches. Kate is also a dedicated committee member of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) Vic/Tas branch, and has a keen interest in contributing to AHPA’s climate and health agenda. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) and Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours – Health Promotion). Joining the Centre in 2023, she is looking forward to supporting and growing the Centres’ work at the intersection of climate justice and health equity.
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Manager, Climate Justice
Katrina Dunn
Katrina joined the Centre for Just Places in 2021, bringing experience in social and environmental policy research and project implementation to the role. Katrina has coordinated and contributed to a range of projects with the public and third-sector – from climate change adaptation to energy affordability. Katrina has a particular interest in the capacity of individuals and communities to develop locally responsive solutions to complex problems. Katrina continues to learn and develop her skills, and is passionate about research, action, and advocacy engaging with climate justice. Katrina has a Masters of Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours – Politics and International Studies).
Katrina joined the Centre for Just Places in 2021, bringing experience in social and environmental policy research and project implementation to the role. Katrina has coordinated and contributed to a range of projects with the public and third-sector – from climate change adaptation to energy affordability. Katrina has a particular interest in the capacity of individuals and communities to develop locally responsive solutions to complex problems. Katrina continues to learn and develop her skills, and is passionate about research, action, and advocacy engaging with climate justice. Katrina has a Masters of Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours – Politics and International Studies).
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Senior Project Officer
Lucy Delahey
Lucy brings over 15 years’ experience working across community programs in the essential services, community health and not for profit sector. With extensive experience in program management, stakeholder and community engagement, Lucy enjoys collaborating with diverse, cross-sector stakeholders to drive meaningful social and organisational outcomes. Using research, data and the voice of lived experience, Lucy is passionate about bringing stakeholders together to facilitate opportunities for collective action.
Lucy brings over 15 years’ experience working across community programs in the essential services, community health and not for profit sector. With extensive experience in program management, stakeholder and community engagement, Lucy enjoys collaborating with diverse, cross-sector stakeholders to drive meaningful social and organisational outcomes. Using research, data and the voice of lived experience, Lucy is passionate about bringing stakeholders together to facilitate opportunities for collective action.
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Climate Justice Coordinator, Community Partnerships & Development
Jack Piper
Jack grew up on four different continents, everywhere witnessing the interconnectedness of social and environmental injustice. This has taken him on a journey from approaching our ecological crisis as a physical problem requiring technical solutions, supporting research and business development in recycling and climate-smart agriculture, to understanding the social drivers of vulnerability and the need for systemic, transformative change. He has a Bachelor of Engineering and a Masters of Environment and is passionate about connecting with and building the capacity of the community sector, local governments and communities to ensure the most marginalised are prioritised in building a just society.
Jack grew up on four different continents, everywhere witnessing the interconnectedness of social and environmental injustice. This has taken him on a journey from approaching our ecological crisis as a physical problem requiring technical solutions, supporting research and business development in recycling and climate-smart agriculture, to understanding the social drivers of vulnerability and the need for systemic, transformative change. He has a Bachelor of Engineering and a Masters of Environment and is passionate about connecting with and building the capacity of the community sector, local governments and communities to ensure the most marginalised are prioritised in building a just society.
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Ecological Justice Project Officer
Bianca Crapis
Bianca has a background in community mental health, working directly with participants experiencing intersecting mental health issues, in group facilitation and program development. Bianca’s direct client work has influenced her belief in communities of care, including more than our human relationships, as central to transformative mental wellbeing. Bianca utilises her background in psychology to bring a narrative analysis to human consciousness change and to centre emotions as a path to understanding belonging to the wider network of all things. This led Bianca to pursue voluntary work in communications and facilitation with Psychology for a Safe Climate and as a mentor with urban nature connection program, Firekeepers, which she holds alongside her role with the Centre for Just Places.
Bianca has a background in community mental health, working directly with participants experiencing intersecting mental health issues, in group facilitation and program development. Bianca’s direct client work has influenced her belief in communities of care, including more than our human relationships, as central to transformative mental wellbeing. Bianca utilises her background in psychology to bring a narrative analysis to human consciousness change and to centre emotions as a path to understanding belonging to the wider network of all things. This led Bianca to pursue voluntary work in communications and facilitation with Psychology for a Safe Climate and as a mentor with urban nature connection program, Firekeepers, which she holds alongside her role with the Centre for Just Places.
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Project Officer
Dr Thea Hewitt
Thea is a committed social research professional with experience across a range of social science research methods. She has worked in research roles alongside a range of community and non-government organisations, and local government. She has a passion for research that engages with diverse communities and a commitment to understanding and improving community experiences. Thea holds a PhD in Geography, her research project focused on the role of non-state organisations in refugee settlement and explored themes of citizenship and Feminist care ethics.
Thea is a committed social research professional with experience across a range of social science research methods. She has worked in research roles alongside a range of community and non-government organisations, and local government. She has a passion for research that engages with diverse communities and a commitment to understanding and improving community experiences. Thea holds a PhD in Geography, her research project focused on the role of non-state organisations in refugee settlement and explored themes of citizenship and Feminist care ethics.
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Research Associate
Dr Melek Bayram
Melek is an associate of the Centre for Just Places. She is a Senior Research Associate at RMIT University where she conducts housing-related research funded by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). Melek’s previous academic appointments include a Research Fellowship at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne, and a Policy Advisor at Infrastructure Victoria. She holds a PhD in Economics from Latrobe University. Melek brings over fifteen years of research experience in modelling the outcomes of low-income households with respect to housing, inter-generational transfer of wealth and employment participation and evaluating place-base initiatives. She also has an acute interest in understanding the prevalence of inter-generational transmission of disadvantage in Australia and identifying pathways to success for younger cohorts who are exposed to area-level disadvantage.
Melek is an associate of the Centre for Just Places. She is a Senior Research Associate at RMIT University where she conducts housing-related research funded by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). Melek’s previous academic appointments include a Research Fellowship at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne, and a Policy Advisor at Infrastructure Victoria. She holds a PhD in Economics from Latrobe University. Melek brings over fifteen years of research experience in modelling the outcomes of low-income households with respect to housing, inter-generational transfer of wealth and employment participation and evaluating place-base initiatives. She also has an acute interest in understanding the prevalence of inter-generational transmission of disadvantage in Australia and identifying pathways to success for younger cohorts who are exposed to area-level disadvantage.
Our partners
Founding partners
- Gandel Foundation
- Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria
Other partners
- Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
- VicHealth
- New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice
- Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities
- Grassroots Youth Engagement Palmerston
- Northern Territory Council of Social Service
- Yipirinya School
- Harris Farms
- Helen Lyons Trust
- Foodbank
- Second Bite
- Oz Harvest
- Our Lady of the Way parish
- Holy Family parish
Contact us
For more information about the Centre for Just Places, please contact Director, John Ryks, at John.Ryks@jss.org.au or 0409 496 452.
