Migration debates - A recurring feature of Australian politics, with Professor Karen Block

Migration debates are a recurring feature of Australian politics. But what does the evidence tell us? At our April 2026 John Cain Lunch we heard from Melbourne University's Professor Karen Block about her research on the interplay between host communities and migrants and the complex ways in which this interaction affects health inequalities, integration, inclusion and social cohesion. Karen Block is head of the Migration and Health Unit, Nossal Institute of Global Health in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. She is also the Deputy Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute (MSEI) and the Academic Convenor of the Anti-racism Hallmark Research Initiative. For the MSEI, she leads work across the priority area of Migration and Mobility and Community Engaged and Coproductive research. Prof Block has a strong national and international profile in the area of migration studies. Her recent and current research includes a range of projects involving immigrant and refugee-background young people, women and families focused on social inclusion across the life course, health inequalities, gender-based violence, anti-racism, and working in collaborative partnerships with communities and community-based organisations. SUBSCRIBE for more Per Capita content: @PerCapitaAUS More from Per Capita: https://linktr.ee/percapitaaus