Identifying and filling racism data gaps in Victoria: A stocktake review

Abstract

Despite Australia’s and Victoria’s stated commitment to promoting multiculturalism and equality, and to eradicating racism, our knowledge about the nature, extent and impact of different forms of racism on diverse populations is not as well-developed as it should be. Stakeholders addressing racism increasingly recognise that anti-racism initiatives must rely on robust scholarly evidence and high-quality data. Yet existing data have serious limitations. We report on a stocktake review of racism data collected nationally in Australia and with a specific focus on Victoria. We provide a comprehensive overview, summary and synthesis of quantitative data on racism, identify gaps in racism data collection, analysis and uses, and make recommendations on bridging those data gaps and informing anti-racism action and policy. Overall, the review examines data collected by 42 survey-based, quantitative studies, discussed in over 120 publications and study materials, and 13 ongoing data collection initiatives, platforms and projects. Based on the review, we identified eight gaps to racism data collection and analysis and to collection methodologies. We recommend four interconnected ways to fill racism data gaps for anti-racism researchers, organisations and policymakers: 1) Further analyse existing data to address critical questions about racism; 2) Collect and analyse additional data; 3) Enhance data availability and integration; and 4) Improve policies that relate to the collection, analysis, reporting and overall management of racism data.