Popular views about Australian identity: research and analysis

Within the Australian humanities and social sciences, the research field of Australian identity has produced a substantial literature. Yet, notwithsta nding the impressive array of scholarship on the topic, empirical research and analysis on how contemporary Australians understand and experience Aust ralian identity has existed in a disparate form. Since studies of popular v iews about Australian identity remain to be integrated, this paper will rev iew social scientific research and analysis in the area for the first time. Three matters will be considered in reviewing these studies.. First, I ill ustrate the contexts in which research on popular views about Australian id entity has been conducted. Second, findings from these studies are pooled f or the purpose of documenting current empirical knowledge about Australian identity. Third, some problems with existing research are considered and po ssible directions for future research proposed.