As the Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion gears up to commence its work, researchers from Monash University are poised to contribute vital evidence from their extensive study of hatred within Australian society. The Monash Initiative for Rapid Research into Antisemitism (MIRRA) has dedicated the past year to exploring the varied manifestations of antisemitism across different sectors, including universities, the arts, healthcare, and sports.
Associate Professor David Slucki, who heads both the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and the MIRRA project, believes that the Royal Commission can greatly benefit from the initiative’s grassroots approach. “Rather than looking at the problem from 30,000 feet, we’re actually trying to tackle it at a grassroots level,” Slucki explained. He emphasized the necessity of examining antisemitism as it occurs in specific contexts, noting, “We’re going sector by sector to understand the different ways antisemitism manifests depending on what part of Australian society we’re talking about.”
MIRRA has already published reports focused on antisemitism in the arts sector and has developed frameworks to assist universities in addressing these issues. The initiative has trained over 1,000 university leaders both in Australia and internationally. Following the recent Bondi attack, the federal government announced plans to accelerate this training program. Slucki expressed confidence in the initiative’s impact, stating, “If you look at universities in 2025 versus 2024, I really do think our work has been having an impact.”
The research team is also preparing to release findings on the role of Holocaust education in combating antisemitism, with additional reports anticipated in the first quarter of this year. The program further investigates how existing federal and state laws address antisemitism while supporting local councils in their efforts to combat hatred at the community level.
Slucki highlighted the importance of MIRRA’s sector-specific approach, which can aid the Royal Commission in understanding the complexities of antisemitism. “The way it manifests in the arts sector or universities will be very different from the healthcare sector, and it will have very different implications within those different sectors,” he explained.
While Slucki acknowledged the challenges, he cautioned against overestimating the potential of any single initiative. He noted that antisemitism is a longstanding issue that predates Australia and extends beyond its borders. “We can’t think that we can solve it in this little vacuum,” he stated. “But we can try to create a society where it’s not seen as socially acceptable.”
He suggests that the focus should shift from definitions to behavior. “We can’t change how people think, but what we can change is how they act,” Slucki said. “How do you treat your fellow human beings, your fellow Australians, your neighbours?”
With two research fellows and an expanding team, MIRRA is undertaking what Slucki describes as “the most comprehensive research programme looking into antisemitism in Australian society.” As the Royal Commission prepares to delve into these critical issues, the insights from Monash University could play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive and understanding society.
