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Better Pride
Better Pride

CBR Team

An initiative of Better Place Australia

About Us

The Centre for Better Relationships (CBR) is the research and policy arm of Better Place Australia (BPA). We work within complex social, economic, and political systems that shape the lives of BPA’s clients. Our aim is to generate knowledge that contributes to lasting and positive change for our clients and child and family services sector.  

 

Our focus is on influencing the policy and practice landscape through high-quality, evidence-based research. At the heart of our work is the belief that better relationships lead to safer, more fulfilling lives for all. 

Our Purpose

We exist to strengthen BPA’s role as a trusted provider, partner, and influence of social change. Through our research, we aim to: 

  • Translate knowledge into practice 
  • Inform service delivery and staff development 
  • Shape sector dialogue through sharing research findings, contributing to discussions, and advocating for change 

Our Vision

We share BPA’s vision for an Australia where all people experience positive relationships, truly value each other, and life safer more fulfilling lives. The Centre for Better Relationships contributes to this vision by ensuring our services and the broader sector are informed, responsive, and impactful.  

Our Priorities

Our research projects are driven by lived experience of our clients, workforce, and broader communities. We predominantly conduct qualitative research, working closely with practitioners and program staff to ensure our work is grounded in service realities. 

We prioritise projects that align with the core business of the organisation and broader advocacy plan which seeks to position BPA as a sector leader in elder abuse prevention, integrated family law services, and community mental health. 

How We Work

Our projects are driven by lived experience of our clients, workforce, and broader communities. We predominantly conduct qualitative research, working closely with practitioners and program staff to ensure our work is grounded in service realities.  

We are committed to conducting ethical and trauma-informed research. Projects are reviewed internally and referred to an external Human Research Ethics Committee where necessary. All research projects are designed and reviewed in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines.  

The CBR’s research and advocacy activities are conducted under the supervision of a Research and Advocacy Committee. The Committee chaired by the CEO of Better Place Australia and made up of staff from across the organisation. Progress on the CBR’s activities is reported to the Board via the CEO Performance Report.  

Our Team

Dr Sarah Marko

Researcher

Dr Sarah Marko has a PhD from Deakin University, with a background in public health and health promotion. She is experienced in qualitative public health research with a focus on people’s perspectives and experiences of gambling-related harm.

Sarah is particularly interested in understanding factors beyond individual control that influence people’s health and wellbeing. Sarah aims to use research to identify areas for change and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving policy and practice.  

Tegan Linford

Policy and Advocacy Assistant

Tegan Linford holds a BSc (Psych) and a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has experience in quantitative data visualisation in market research and has contributed to academic research in investigative interviewing and sexual homicide.

Tegan is passionate about supporting impactful research projects that address mental health inequities and is committed to using research to inform advocacy and influence policy change. 

Dr Laila Hugrass

Ad Hoc Research Support

Dr Laila Hugrass is a specialist researcher and data analyst. She has conducted research in the fields of art therapy and cognitive neuroscience at La Trobe Uni, Swinburne Uni and the Australian Catholic University.

With expertise in data management, applied statistics, quantitative analyses, data visualisation and data storytelling, Laila is passionate about communicating research findings to non-academic audiences in an engaging and accessible manner. 

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