Author of the annual Scanlon Foundation social cohesion reports, Professor Andrew Markus will present the key findings from the latest national survey in his Mapping Social Cohesion lecture in Wodonga on January 30.

Hosted by the Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council, Professor Markus will share insights about Australia's growing ethnic diversity, including contemporary social issues such as immigration, discrimination and multiculturalism.

He will also discuss the balance of Australian opinion towards multiculturalism and common factors that enhance or erode community harmony.

The Scanlon Foundation was established in 2001 to try to enhance and foster social cohesion in Australia.

The 10th Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion Survey in 2017 builds on the knowledge gained through Scanlon Foundation surveys conducted in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

They provide a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion and population issues. 

Professor Andrew Markus is the Pratt Foundation Research Professor of Jewish Civilisation in the School of Historical, International and Philosophical Studies, Monash University, and a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

He has written the annual Scanlon Foundation social cohesion reports since their inception in 2007.

His research was conducted for the Scanlon Foundation through the Monash University Institute for the Study of Global Movements.

The foundation provides grants to improve social cohesion in areas of greatest need around the country.

Professor Markus has published extensively on Australian indigenous and immigration history.

He came to Australia as an eight-year-old refugee child from Hungary in the late 1950s.

This free public event in Wodonga will interest local government representatives, community service providers, the education and employment sector, academics and students, members of the police and justice departments, health services, or any member of the public who is interested in better understanding the concept of social cohesion.

The event will be held at the main lecture theatre, La Trobe University, 133 McKoy Street, Wodonga on January 30 from 1pm.

It will be followed by afternoon tea.

Bookings are essential for the free lecture through mappingsocialcohesion.eventbrite.com.au.