Annette Jackson

Annette Jackson is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work & Social Policy at La Trobe University. Her research focuses on child welfare, trauma-informed care, and interventions for children experiencing neglect, abuse, and systemic vulnerabilities. She has contributed to policy development through child death reviews and cross-sector collaboration analyses.

Her academic background includes a thesis titled Can we undo harms from the past? Developing a theory of change to redress consequences of serious childhood neglect, reflecting her deep engagement with long-term impacts of maltreatment. Key areas of expertise include child protection systems, communication challenges in maltreated children, and cultural competency in Aboriginal child wellbeing.

Her work emphasizes practical solutions, such as the Take Two therapeutic program and the Small Talk communication assessment tool. Collaborations with organizations like Berry Street Childhood Institute and La Trobe University highlight her commitment to translating research into actionable practice.

Publications span topics from neurobiological effects of neglect to group home experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities, demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach. Her research consistently bridges clinical practice, policy reform, and community engagement.