New research from Dr James O'Donnell has shown that social cohesion is lower now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. His research, supported by the Scanlon Foundation, shows Australia did well during the pandemic, with reduced financial strain and improved fiscal safety nets. Now that those supports have been removed and inflation shocks are eroding peoples financial security, their feeling of social belonging is also deminishing. Read more about Dr O'Donnell's findings in this article.