Popular views about Australian identity: research and analysis

Abstract

Within the Australian humanities and social sciences, the research field of Australian identity has produced a substantial literature. Yet, notwithstanding the impressive array of scholarship on the topic, empirical research and analysis on how contemporary Australians understand and experience Australian identity has existed in a disparate form. Since studies of popular views about Australian identity remain to be integrated, this paper will review social scientific research and analysis in the area for the first time. Three matters will be considered in reviewing these studies. First, I illustrate the contexts in which research on popular views about Australian identity has been conducted. Second, findings from these studies are pooled for the purpose of documenting current empirical knowledge about Australian identity. Third, some problems with existing research are considered and possible directions for future research proposed.