The Scanlon Institute for Applied Social Cohesion Research exists as a bridge between academic insight and public thought, to support the advancement of Australia as a welcoming, prosperous and cohesive nation. The body is an initiative of the Scanlon Foundation and furthers its belief that Australia’s future prosperity, underpinned by continued population growth, will depend on our ability to maintain, foster and support social cohesion in our communities amidst ever-growing cultural diversity. The Institute is a virtual organisation that unites Australia’s leading thinkers on immigration to produce a bi-annual journal highlighting important lessons from recent findings and exploring how they can be practically applied. Research on immigration, population and related matters comes from academic institutions, independent think tanks and commentators. This is vital, important work, and it deserves an influential place in the public consciousness. To ensure that happens, it must be consolidated and interpreted in a way so as to be digestible and practically usable by the people and organisations working directly in communities. That’s what the Institute does. It links thought to action to ensure debate drives the agenda and empowers the critical thinking that will drive our country’s interests.