This report summarises a research project on language, diversity and social inclusion in the Department of Defence.

Overview

Knowing more about a particular culture explains why an organisation is like it is, and why people behave and talk the way they do.

One important factor that perpetuates behaviours and makes change difficult is the use of language within the Defence organisation. Simply put, to change the way people behave, sometimes you have to change the way they talk.

This special report summarises a research project sponsored by the Secretary of Defence Fellowship program titled "Battling with words: a study of language, diversity and social inclusion in the Australian Department of Defence".