Amy Conley Wright

Professor Amy Conley Wright serves as Director of the Research Centre for Children and Families at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, where she holds a professorship in Child and Family Social Work. She is an active member of both the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies and Sydney Policy Lab, contributing to interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on vulnerable populations. Her academic leadership extends to editorial roles, including former associate editor for the journal Child & Family Social Work.

Dr. Conley Wright earned her PhD and Masters of Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and completed her undergraduate studies in Child Development & Public Policy at Boston University. Her educational background provides the foundation for her interdisciplinary approach to child welfare research.

Her research program spans multiple critical areas in child and family welfare, with particular focus on child protection systems, permanency planning, and cultural connection for children in out-of-home care. She employs diverse methodologies including surveys, case file reviews, interviews, focus groups, and administrative data analysis to examine complex family dynamics. Her work on disability inclusion within child welfare systems has generated significant policy impact, particularly regarding the intersection of disability services and out-of-home care.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent thematic focus on permanency planning, cultural connection for diverse children in care, and innovative approaches to maintaining family relationships. Her research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across social work, law, sociology, and criminology fields, with increasing emphasis on digital technologies for maintaining family connections and improving service delivery.

• SOAR Fellowship (2019)

Professor Conley Wright has successfully secured millions in research funding from diverse sources including the Australian Research Council, NSW Government, and Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety. She currently supervises PhD candidate Meredith MCLAINE, whose research examines judicial interpretation of the 'realistic possibility of restoration' test in NSW Children's Court proceedings. Her collaborative approach extends to working with government agencies, non-profits, and international partners on child welfare initiatives.

As Director of the Research Centre for Children and Families, she leads a multidisciplinary team conducting cutting-edge research on child protection systems, adoption practices, and family support services. Her work with the Institute of Open Adoption Studies has significantly influenced policy development in this specialized area, while collaborations with international partners in Taiwan have expanded understanding of intercountry adoption dynamics.