About
Professor JaneMaree Maher is a leading academic in gender studies and sociology at Monash University's School of Social Sciences. She holds a Professorship in the Centre for Women's Studies and Gender Research and is a key researcher at the Monash Gender & Family Violence Prevention Centre. Her work focuses on gendered violences (e.g., family violence, hate crime) and family dynamics, particularly how neoliberal discourses shape health advocacy and caregiving roles. She has led over 20 research projects, including studies on migrant women’s safety, adolescent family violence prevention, and policy reforms. Maher is also President of the Australian Women's and Gender Studies Association (2016–2018).
Research Interests:
- Gendered violence and criminal justice responses
- Family dynamics and neoliberal health discourses
- Policy evaluation (e.g., Victoria’s Family Violence Royal Commission)
Her 141+ publications span criminology, sociology, and policy analysis. Key awards include the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Supervision (2001, 2014) and recognition for her role in shaping Australia’s family violence policies. Maher has supervised over 30 PhD/Master’s students, emphasizing critical gender scholarship. Current projects include addressing obesity in disadvantaged communities and enhancing safety frameworks for migrant women.
Labs/Teams: Active in the Monash Gender & Family Violence Prevention Centre and collaborates with government agencies (e.g., Victorian Courts, Uniting Communities).
