Darren has over 25 years experience in social research and design and has previously worked with the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Reark Research and the Wallis Consulting Group. Darren founded the Social Research Centre in 2000. Areas of expertise include large-scale survey design and management, longitudinal surveys and program / campaign evaluation. Darren’s specific interests are community attitudes research, health research, policy development research and the application of sophisticated survey methodologies. He is a full member of the Australian Market and Social Research Society and is accredited as a Qualified Practicing Market Researcher.  Darren is also a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research and the Australasian Evaluation Society.

Graham has over 21 years experience in market and social research operations with a reputation for effectively managing large-scale, resource intensive, high stakes government research projects to industry-best standards.  Also a full member of the Australian Market and Social Research Society, Graham has previously held positions with Wells Research, Reark Research, AC Nielsen and NCS Pearson. His expertise is in large-scale survey management, complex multi-methodology projects and the development and execution of quality operational processes, with specific skills in response maximisation techniques, interviewer performance and enhanced data quality.

Michael Murphy has worked in social and market research for over twenty years, specialising in the use of qualitative research methods for the development of social marketing campaigns. Early in his career he participated in the Victorian Public Service Graduate Trainee Scheme then worked with the Centre for Behavioural Research at the Cancer Council Victoria, prior to being a founding Director of Market Access Consulting & Research. He joined The Social Research Centre in 2009 to establish its Qualitative Research Division.

Michael’s special interest is in the development of social marketing campaigns to address health behaviours, having been involved in numerous State and Federal smoking, sun protection, healthy eating and disease screening campaigns. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Melbourne, a Diploma of Applied Science (Naturopathy) from the Southern School of Natural Therapies, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology from Swinburne University. Michael is a Full Member of the Australian Market & Social Research Society and is QPMR (Qualified Practicing Market Researcher) accredited.

Sonia has worked in applied social policy research and program evaluation since 1993.  Sonia’s research career has spanned academic research and evaluation roles, commercial market research and senior public sector research and evaluation.  Placements have included the University of NSW, the Tertiary Entrance Procedures Authority (Education Queensland), the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Roy Morgan Research and Department of Justice, Victoria.

Sonia is a professional research methodologist and program evaluator.  Particular interests include program evaluation, program logic mapping, large scale survey design and management, crime and safety research and service delivery assessment.  Sonia holds a Bachelor of Science (Psyc)(Hons) majoring in research design and statistics, a Masters in Program Evaluation and is currently completing her doctoral studies.

As a senior researcher with over 22 years experience, David has previously worked with Chadwick Martin Consultants, Reark Research and the Wallis Group.  Areas of expertise include communications effectiveness and advertising research, longitudinal research, customer satisfaction, automated reporting and advanced statistical analysis.  David is a full member of the Australian Market and Social Research Society.

Graeme has been a buyer of market and social research for around ten years, with Gillette (Aust) Pty Ltd, Kimberly Clark (US) and Tourism Australia (formerly ATC), and a supplier for over 20 years with several international and local agencies.  In recent years he has specialised in public sector and social policy research for clients in the health, education, food safety, transport, tourism and arts sectors.  Appointed to the Social Research Centre in July 2011 to lead the Health Outcomes team, Graeme is building on a long history of large projects he has completed in the public and private hospital and insurance domains.  His main clients are Comcare, and the Victorian TAC, WorkSafe and Accident Compensation Conciliation Service. Graeme holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from LaTrobe University (1993) and graduated in both Arts (University of Melbourne, First Class Honours) and Economics (Monash University). He also holds a Diploma in Education from Monash University, and was elected a Fellow of the Australian Market and Social Research Society in 1998.

Andrew has over 30 years experience in market research within Australia having previously held positions with Millward Brown and Roy Morgan Research. Andrew has extensive experience in all aspects of the operational side of research and is highly regarded for his ability to deliver large and complex projects on time, to specification and within budget. His specific interests are staff development and the implementation of new, efficient and cost effective processes and procedures. Andrew has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree (first class honours) from La Trobe University (1974). He is also a member of the Australian Market and Social Research Society.

Tony has academic and professional qualifications in both financial management and in the social sciences. He has a background in financial management in the service sector, in publishing and in investment banking. He has managed funds which focused on SME's. He has taught and tutored at Universities in Australia and New Zealand. He has a particular interest in trade, and from an historical perspective its impact on cultural exchanges between economically interdependent societies.

Monique is a seasoned HR professional with over 15 years experience working for the airline industry and the not-for-profit sector.  Monique has first rate experience in the full breadth of the HR function specifically organisational restructuring, policy and award interpretation, strategic planning, industrial relations, organisational development, human resources strategic planning, management coaching, training and development and performance management.

Monique spent 15 years working as a Senior HR Manager with the airline industry which was an environment that was highly dynamic and volatile with a very robust industrial relations culture. Monique was highly successful in business partnering with senior management at Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart airports. She implemented several HR and business initiatives that included strategies for organisational restructuring, performance management; promoting and ensuring compliance with OH&S issues, staff engagement, systems to  address high levels of absenteeism and enhancing the investigation process for workplace bullying and discrimination claims to name to few.

Monique is a registered member of AHRI (Australian Human Resources Institute) and holds a membership as a Certified Professional.

Monique is currently completing her Masters of Commerce.

Paul Myers is an experienced social researcher who is skilled in the design, implementation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative research projects. He has had extensive experience in social marketing and conducting research on highly sensitive issues. Paul graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Queensland and has a Ph.D. in Public Health from The University of Melbourne. He has published and presented in the areas of homelessness, young people, drug use and blood-borne viruses.

Before joining the Social Research Centre in September 2009 Paul spent three years with Open Mind Research working on a range of qualitative and quantitative projects for State and Federal Governments including account managing major projects for the Department of Health and Ageing; Department of Human Services (Victoria), Department of Justice; Child Support Agency and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.  Prior to this, Paul spent five years working at the University of Melbourne and Latrobe University as a quantitative researcher where he was known for his strong longitudinal and multivariate analysis skills.

Paul is a full member of the Australian Market and Social Research Society and foundation member of the Australia Association of Social Marketing.

Christy has 13 years experience in market and social research, specialising in environment and sustainability research, social marketing, behaviour change and online research. She has previously worked for a variety of research agencies including McGregor Tan Research, Nexus Research, Global Reviews and the Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute. 

While Christy’s role at the Social Research Centre draws on both her qualitative and quantitative research skills the main emphasis of her work is the conduct of quantitative social research, particularly in the environment and sustainability arena.

Christy has a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Australian Studies) from Flinders University and has undertaken a number of additional tertiary studies in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Her interest in the field of sustainability has led to her presenting a paper at the Enviro08 conference and  involvement in the Melbourne Water ‘Creating Liveable Cities’ Design Lab forum in late 2009. Christy is a Qualified Practising Market Researcher (QPMR) and a full member of the Australian Market & Social Research Society. She joined the Social Research Centre in September 2009 as a Principal Research Adviser.

Tina has 15 years experience in the market research industry, previously having worked with Roy Morgan Research and MLC before joining The Social Research Centre in 2005.

Tina’s main area of expertise is in the development and management of quantitative research projects and her primary interest lies in social, health and government policy research.  She has QPMR accreditation and is a full member of the Australian Market and Social Research Society.

Karen worked as an interviewer, Senior Research Executive and Project Manager in her 17 year career with Research International prior to joining the Social Research Centre in early 2008.

Karen’s role, as Call Centre Manager, requires her to manage the day to day operations of our Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) Call Centre.
In this role, Karen works in close conjunction with the Director, Research Services and the Manager, Quality Systems.  Karen’s broad responsibilities entail day to day operational planning, the overall quality and timeliness of our telephone survey operations, ensuring appropriate resources are in place to support our large project workload, managing productivity and overseeing quality control for all data collection functions.