Professor Rickard’s research is exploring how technology can help connect young people with socially and culturally relevant arts opportunities.
The problem
Youth loneliness and social isolation are escalating in Australia, significantly impacting mental and physical health. Among the most vulnerable are marginalised young people in rural/remote locations or facing social and/or cultural barriers. Clinical approaches to treating loneliness can be quite stigmatising, so attention has shifted towards the potential of community-based approaches.
The proposed research
Can technology enhance young people’s access to social connection opportunities, as well as cultivate and sustain that engagement? Supported by Google funding, and in collaboration with Dr Simon D’Alfonso (FEIT), this online platform builds upon social prescribing, a non-clinical approach to connecting people who may be feeling lonely with social activities in their community.
Co-designed with diverse young people (18-29 years) and community stakeholders, this AI-driven platform will provide personalised recommendations to young people for local arts, music, and cultural activities. The AI mentor helps explore their individual interests, needs and strengths, while streamlining the overwhelming volume of arts opportunities available online. It is being designed to offer inclusive insights into the anticipated vibe of the activity and demographic of attendees, and may challenge users to step outside their comfort zone to translate contemplation into action.
The intended impact
Recognising that over half of young Australians attend arts events for social reasons, this youth-focused approach cultivates this interest to build the social capacity of adolescents and emerging adults. It will leverage digital curation to foster meaningful social connections between like-minded peers, build preventive strengths-building capabilities, and potentially revitalise youth engagement in the arts.
The research team
Dr Simon D'Alfonso
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne
dalfonso@unimelb.edu.au
