Erin Wilson

Professor Erin Wilson is the Director of the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology, affiliated with the School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship. She holds a PhD in Social Work and Social Policy from the University of Western Australia, alongside advanced degrees in education and community development. Her work focuses on participatory social change, disability inclusion, and outcomes measurement in community services. She has pioneered methods to value lived experience in research, receiving international recognition.

Research Interests:

• Disability inclusion policies and practices
• Employment pathways for people with disabilities
• Community capacity building
• Evaluation of social programs
• Participatory research methodologies

Grants & Collaborations:

• Lead the Uniting Vic. Tas-Swinburne Research Collaboration (2019-2025) developing the Community Services Outcomes Tree
• Recipient of 41+ grants including Department of Social Services funding for disability employment initiatives

Awards:

• Zero Project Award (2016) for inclusive research methods
• Emerald Literati Award (2020)

Labs/Teams: Director of the Centre for Social Impact, collaborating with organizations like Save the Children and Disability Persons Organizations.