Profile

Dr David Coall

Dr David Coall’s research focuses on the role of grandparents within families and the impact this has on the health and well-being of family members, including themselves. Over the past eight years, David has been involved in the largest study with grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Australia. For these grandparents, their priority is to make sure their grandchildren have the best available opportunity for a good start in life. Accessing and utilising digital technologies is one of the many challenges grandcarer families face. This research has had a significant impact on government policy at both the federal and state level.

As an Associate Investigator, David will explore children’s access to and use of digital technologies in grandcarer families – a unique, vulnerable and hidden population.  A myriad of factors influence a child’s opportunities to interact with digital technology. There are many groups of people throughout our society who do not have access and support. Helping just one of these groups to equitable access to digital technologies will make a difference.

Earliest digital memory
Playing Summer Games in the mid 1980s on a friend’s computer. How far we have come from pressing one button as hard and fast as you can!



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The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child acknowledges the First Australian owners of the lands on where we gather and pay our respects to the Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits of this country.

The Centre recognises that the examples we set in diversity and inclusion will support young children to respect and celebrate differences in all people. We embed diversity, inclusivity and equality into all aspects of the Centre’s activities and welcome all people regardless of race, ethnicity, social background, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and national origin.