Beyond the data: What stood out at the government and social research conference

eHaving worked in market research for decades, I tend to look at conferences through a practical lens. What is new, what is genuinely useful, and what reflects where the industry is heading. The Government and Social Research Conference in Canberra offered a different kind of perspective, one that felt grounded in purpose as much as practice.

The format plays a role in that. It is a smaller, single-track event without the usual exhibition presence, which keeps the focus on the sessions and the conversations around them. Everyone moves through the same programme together, which creates a more cohesive experience and allows themes to build across the day rather than compete for attention.

A focus on research that serves people
Across the programme, there was a clear emphasis on how research is used to understand and respond to real social challenges.

The session “Will the kids be alright?” by James Wunsch and Sandra Kowalski from Bastion Insights examined the early impact of Australia’s under-16 social media ban, a world-first policy introduced in late 2025. Drawing on pre- and post-ban survey data from teenagers aged 13 to 15, the research tracked changes in social media usage alongside shifts in how young people perceive their physical health, mental well-being and sense of social connection.

What emerged was a complex and sometimes surprising picture of adaptation, avoidance and behavioural change. Rather than offering a simple answer, the findings moved beyond speculation to show how teenagers are responding in practice, including whether they are shifting activity elsewhere or experiencing early changes in well-being.

That level of nuance is difficult to capture without staying close to lived experience. It reinforced the value of designing research that reflects how people actually navigate change, particularly in fast-moving and highly debated areas like this.

Advocacy and accountability in practice
The CHOICE presentation on “Supermarket Watch,” delivered by Amanda Adams and Marg Rafferty, highlighted another role research can play. Their work combines mystery shopping with long-term tracking to compare grocery pricing across regions, accounting for differences in pack sizes and product composition to ensure meaningful comparisons.

The strength of this approach lies in how it is applied. The research is used to inform the public and bring transparency to pricing practices that are not always visible. It also creates a level of accountability, particularly in areas where cost pressures are front of mind for consumers.

That sense of responsibility to the end user was consistent across many of the sessions.

Rethinking truth and evidence
Several sessions explored how research is interpreted, and how that interpretation shapes outcomes.

In her keynote, Kylie Penehoe from the National Indigenous Employment and Training Alliance examined how “truth” can vary depending on perspective and context. Her examples showed how easily data can be misread when it is separated from lived experience, particularly in areas involving Indigenous communities and policy design.

Will Hartigan’s opening keynote added another layer to this discussion, focusing on the limits of evidence in a complex environment. His point that data does not resolve decisions on its own came through clearly, especially in situations where evidence is incomplete or contested.

These sessions highlighted the need to think carefully about how evidence is framed, whose voices are included, and how findings are communicated to those making decisions.

Expanding how impact is measured
Garrett Tyler-Parker from Tourism Research Australia shared the development of the LIVE Framework, which takes a broader approach to measuring the visitor economy.

Instead of focusing primarily on economic indicators, the framework brings together a wider set of measures to reflect social, environmental and institutional impact alongside financial performance.

What stood out was the shift in perspective. It reflects a move toward more holistic measurement, where success is defined across multiple dimensions rather than a single set of metrics.

What carries forward
What stood out most was the overall emphasis on purpose. Compared with more commercially focused conferences, the discussion here was less about performance and more about outcomes. Research was framed as a way to support better policy, stronger public services and more informed decision-making.

It also brought the focus back to fundamentals. Understanding people, representing their experiences accurately and ensuring that insights are applied in a meaningful way remain central to the role of research.

The tools and methods continue to evolve, but those principles have been consistent for a long time. This conference served as a useful reminder of how they can be applied with intention.